South Houston is only 3.0 square miles, with 16,157 people packed in, and a process server in South Houston, TX typically carries papers about 10.4 miles to the Harris County Civil Courthouse downtown. Whatever the document, citation or petition or subpoena or notice, the service works the same way. Standard Service puts an attempt inside 5 business days. Rush Service puts one inside 48 hours. 24-Hour Service puts one inside 24 hours. Afterward the signed Texas Rule 107 Return of Service arrives in your inbox.
What a Process Server Costs in South Houston: Three Flat Tiers
South Houston's three prices: Standard Service at $69 Rush Service at $119 24-Hour Service at $169. They sit on the pricing page, and you pick one on the order form. Harris County constables and the sheriff serve too, and the commissioners court sets what they charge under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is another route.
Who May Serve Papers in South Houston: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
A good question for any would-be server in South Houston is "do I have a stake in this?" If yes, Rule 103 says no. If not, the next question is whether you are a sheriff, a constable, someone else authorized by law, an adult 18 or older named in a written court order, or a process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. One yes on that list is enough. See the certification guide.
Where South Houston Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Houston is the county seat, and the Harris County Civil Courthouse is at 201 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77002, about 10.4 miles from South Houston in a straight line. Justice court handles civil claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and eviction cases, not divorces. County courts take claims over $200 up to $20,000 and civil cases over $500 up to $325,000 may be heard by a statutory county court or a district court. Which precinct covers a given address is a question for the justice court clerk. See the Harris County page.
Eviction Notices in South Houston: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
South Houston landlords begin with a written notice to vacate, which allows at least three days unless the lease or agreement sets another period. The notice may be mailed, left in a conspicuous place inside the premises, handed to a tenant 16 or older, or sent electronically by written agreement. Weekends and holidays count in the period, and a last day on one moves to the next business day. A sworn petition in justice court follows. A private process server can deliver the notice but not the eviction citation, which must be served by a sheriff or constable; an alias citation is possible after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for South Houston Defendants
A divorce citation reaches a South Houston spouse in person or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. A spouse who cannot be reached may be served some other way if the court agrees under Rule 106(b), on a motion with a sworn statement of likely locations and earlier attempts. A judge may allow papers left with someone over 16, or email or social media. A company can be served through its registered agent, a corporation's president or vice president, or the Secretary of State. No default judgment may be entered until the proof of service has stayed on file for ten days. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near South Houston
South Houston Police Department is the local agency. Hospitals in range: HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast, 4000 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77504 (about 2.8 miles), Surgery Specialty Hospitals of America SE Houston, 4301 B Vista, Pasadena, TX 77504 (about 3.0 miles), and St Luke's Patients Medical Center, 4600 East Sam Houston Parkway South, Pasadena, TX 77505 (about 4.3 miles). The witness receives a copy of the subpoena from the server, along with any fee the law requires. A witness is owed $10 per day of attendance by the summoning party, and a records custodian $1. A nonparty documents subpoena needs 10 days' notice to all parties. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around South Houston
South Houston is ZIP code 77587. Neighbors: Houston, Pasadena and Galena Park.
South Houston Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Rule 103 bars parties.