In Sundown, Texas, a Hockley County city of about 1,290 people with its own police department, a process server can deliver citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate. Pick Standard Service for an attempt within 5 business days, Rush Service for one within 48 hours, or 24-Hour Service for one within 24 hours. A signed Rule 107 Return of Service reaches you by email after delivery, and that document is your proof. Levelland holds the county courthouse, about 11.1 miles away.
What a Process Server Costs in Sundown: Flat Rates by Speed
Standard Service is $69 and allows an attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service is $119 and moves that up to within 48 hours. 24-Hour Service is $169 and moves it to within 24 hours. Check the pricing page first, then use the order form. Hockley County's constables and sheriff charge fees set by commissioners court under Local Government Code 118.131, and a private server is simply an alternative.
Who May Serve Papers in Sundown: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 allows a sheriff or constable, an adult who is 18 or older and named in a written court order, or a process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission to serve. It forbids service by any party or person interested in the result.
Where Sundown Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
For Hockley County the seat is Levelland, where the Hockley County Courthouse stands at 802 Houston Street, Levelland, TX 79336, roughly 11.1 miles from Sundown. Justice court takes civil claims up to $20,000 plus eviction suits. A county court may also take claims over $200 up to $20,000 while divorce stays in district court. The justice precinct hangs on the location of the address in dispute, a point the justice court clerk can settle.
Eviction Notices in Sundown: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
Evictions begin with written notice. A Sundown tenant is entitled to at least three days to vacate, unless a lease says something different. Delivery by mail, by placing it inside the dwelling in a conspicuous place, or by hand to a tenant 16 or older satisfies the statute, and a private server can make that hand delivery. Once the landlord files a sworn petition, the justice court citation can only be served by a sheriff or constable.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Sundown Defendants
A divorce citation travels with the petition and is delivered in person, or by registered or certified mail requiring a return receipt. If the spouse dodges, the filer can ask the court under Rule 106(b) for another method, backed by a sworn statement of past attempts. Registered agents receive papers for businesses. A default judgment waits ten days after proof of service is filed.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Sundown
Texas pays a subpoenaed witness $10 for each day, handed over by the requesting party at service, and gives a records custodian $1. Covenant Hospital Levelland, 1900 College Ave, Levelland, TX 79336, is about 10.7 miles away. Brownfield Regional Medical Center is about 22.7 miles away.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Sundown
Sundown covers ZIP codes 79336 and 79372, and Levelland is the neighboring city.
Sundown Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
Parties and others who have a stake in the case are not allowed to serve them.
What if the person avoids service?
Ask the court for a Rule 106(b) order based on a sworn account of the earlier attempts.
How soon after service can a default judgment be taken?
A Hockley County court waits until the proof of service has stayed on file for ten days, leaving out the day it was filed and the day of judgment.