Smithville, a city of 3,918 in Bastrop County, is about 12.1 miles from the county courthouse, which makes a process server in Smithville, Texas useful for more than convenience. Standard at $69 (attempt within 5 business days), Rush at $119 (within 48 hours) and 24-Hour at $169 (within 24 hours) all cover citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate, and each ends with a signed Rule 107 Return of Service sent by email.
What a Process Server Costs in Smithville: Three Flat Tiers
Choose by calendar. Standard Service is $69 with room for an attempt inside 5 business days. Rush Service costs $119 and starts within 48 hours. The 24-Hour Service costs $169 and starts within 24 hours. Everything is posted on the pricing page; requests go through /order. The county's constables and sheriff are paid under fees the commissioners court adopts (Local Gov't Code 118.131), which is a separate option from hiring a private server.
Who May Serve Papers in Smithville: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
A sheriff or constable may serve under Rule 103. So may an adult aged 18 or over who is named in a written court order, and so may someone certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. The one group left out is anyone with an interest in the lawsuit, which includes both plaintiff and defendant.
Where Smithville Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
The Bastrop County Courthouse, 804 Pecan Street in Bastrop, is the county seat's courthouse and lies about 12.1 miles from Smithville. Justice court takes civil claims to $20,000 and evictions, county court overlaps from $200 and a statutory county court reaches $325,000. Divorce goes elsewhere. Which justice precinct applies depends on the address in dispute, and the county's justice court clerk can confirm it. Check the Bastrop County hub.
Eviction Notices in Smithville: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
At least three days of written notice to vacate are due unless the lease says another period. Mail, a conspicuous place inside the premises, or hand delivery to a tenant 16 or older all satisfy the delivery rule, and a private server can do the hand delivery. If the landlord goes on to file, the sheriff or constable serves the eviction citation.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Smithville Defendants
Personal delivery is the first choice for a citation and petition, with return-receipt mail next. A defendant who cannot be found may be served another way only if the judge allows it, and Rule 106(b) asks for a sworn statement about where the person might be and what was tried. Registered agents receive papers for companies. The court waits ten days after the return is filed before a default.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Smithville
Ascension Seton Smithville, 1201 Hill Rd, is about 1.1 miles from town. The Smithville Police Department is the city's own. When a witness is subpoenaed, $10 for each day must be tendered at service. A records custodian receives $1.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Smithville
ZIP 78957 is Smithville's. Bastrop, La Grange and Giddings are neighbors.
Smithville Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers on my own case?
No; interested persons are barred.
How soon can a default be taken?
After proof of service has been on file ten days, not counting filing day and judgment day.