Sour Lake is a Hardin County city in Texas of about 1,770 people, and a process server in Sour Lake, TX delivers papers for cases that are filed 16.8 miles away at the courthouse in Kountze. An attempt on a citation, petition, subpoena or notice to vacate can come within 5 business days, 48 hours or 24 hours. The customer receives a signed Return of Service by email.
What a Process Server Costs in Sour Lake: Three Flat Tiers
What you pay depends on how quickly the attempt must happen. It is $69 for Standard Service, with a window of 5 business days. Rush Service is $119 and shortens the window to 48 hours. At $169 24-Hour Service shortens it to 24 hours. The pricing page sets this out, and the order form is where a Sour Lake request begins. Hardin County's commissioners court sets the fees that constables and sheriffs charge, under Local Government Code 118.131.
Who May Serve Papers in Sour Lake: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Sheriffs and constables may serve process, and so may adults authorized by written court order and servers certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission, all under Rule 103. Parties are not allowed to, and neither is anyone else with an interest in the case.
Where Sour Lake Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
The Hardin County Courthouse, 300 West Monroe Street in Kountze, is about 16.8 miles from Sour Lake in a straight line. Civil claims up to $20,000 excluding interest, along with evictions, go to justice court. The county court shares claims from $200 to $20,000 and a statutory county court takes civil cases above $500 up to $325,000. The justice court clerk can confirm the precinct for an address. The Hardin County hub has more.
Eviction Notices in Sour Lake: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
A landlord in Sour Lake must give the tenant written notice to vacate before filing, at least three days long unless the lease sets some other period. It can be mailed, left inside the premises where it is conspicuous, or handed to a tenant 16 or older, and a private server may do the handing. The eviction citation must be served by a sheriff or constable, and an alias is possible once 5 business days pass.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Sour Lake Defendants
A defendant should be handed the citation or sent it by registered or certified mail. If neither works, the court may approve a different method after a sworn Rule 106(b) motion. A company is reached through its registered agent. A default judgment cannot be granted until proof of service has been on file ten days.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Sour Lake
The Sour Lake Police Department is local. Altus Lumberton Hospital, 220 Blanco St in Lumberton, is about 13.9 miles away; CHRISTUS Southeast Texas- St Elizabeth, 2830 Calder Avenue in Beaumont, about 16.7 miles; and Baptist Beaumont Hospital, 3080 College Street, about 17.6 miles. A witness is owed $10 per day, and a records custodian is owed $1.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Sour Lake
Sour Lake's ZIP code is 77659. China, Bevil Oaks and Lumberton are neighboring cities.
Sour Lake Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No, since parties may not serve process.
How is a company served?
Through its registered agent.
Can papers be taped to a door?
Only under a Rule 106(b) order.