Tyler packs three hospitals within two miles of its center, and the Smith County courthouse is 2.4 miles away, so a process server in Tyler, TX works in a compact area. A citation, a petition, a subpoena or a notice to vacate can go out with an attempt inside 5 business days, 48 hours or 24 hours, and the signed Return of Service arrives by email after delivery. Tyler is the Smith County seat and its 105,982 residents live in that one county.
Tyler Process Server Pricing: Three Flat Tiers
Tyler customers pick one of three. Standard Service runs $69 with the attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service runs $119 with the attempt within 48 hours. 24-Hour Service runs $169 with the attempt within 24 hours. The pricing page has the full table and the order form books a job.
A Smith County constable or sheriff charges according to a fee set by the commissioners court (Local Government Code 118.131). A private server is another option.
Who May Serve Papers in Tyler: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 puts a party and any interested person out of the picture. Left in: sheriffs and constables, adults 18 or older named in a written court order, and persons certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. A clerk can also send the citation out by registered or certified mail.
Certified process servers are defined in Government Code 156.001, and the certification ends on the last day of the month of its second anniversary without renewal. The certification guide goes deeper.
Where Tyler Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Smith County Courthouse is at 100 North Broadway Avenue, Tyler, TX 75702-7298, about 2.4 miles from the reference point. Tyler is the county seat.
Texas assigns civil cases by dollar amount and type. Justice court takes evictions and claims to $20,000 without interest, and refuses divorce, slander, defamation, title to land and lien-on-land suits. County court overlaps from over $200 and a statutory county court overlaps with district court between over $500 and $325,000. Which justice court precinct applies follows the address in dispute, and the county's justice court clerk can confirm it. The Smith County page has county details.
Eviction Notices in Tyler: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
The landlord's notice comes first for any suit filed on or after January 1, 2026. It must be in writing and give at least three days, unless a written lease or agreement sets another period. When the issue is unpaid rent, the landlord may send a notice to pay rent or vacate. The methods are mail, delivery inside the premises in a conspicuous place, hand delivery to a tenant 16 or older, and agreed electronic delivery.
The court case then runs through a sheriff or constable, the only people who may serve the citation. If five business days pass after filing with no service, the landlord can ask for an alias citation. A private server handles the notice and stops there.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Tyler Defendants
Divorce goes to district court. The citation and petition reach the defendant through personal delivery or registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If neither works, Rule 106(b) lets the court permit leaving the papers with a person over 16 at a probable location or sending them by email or social media, once a sworn statement lists locations and attempts. The Rule 106(b) guide explains.
A business gets its papers through the registered agent at the registered office. After the proof of service is filed, ten days must pass before default judgment (Rule 107(h)).
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Tyler
Any sheriff, constable or non-party adult can serve a Texas subpoena in any county, handing over a copy and tendering required fees. A witness collects $10 for each day of attendance from the summoning party, and a records custodian collects $1. A witness within 150 miles of the suit's county can be called. The subpoena guide has intake steps.
The data lists Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital at 1814 Roseland Boulevard (0.9 miles), UT Health East Texas Tyler Regional Hospital at 1000 South Beckham Ave (1.7 miles) and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital at 800 East Dawson (1.9 miles). The Tyler Police Department is who to ask for police records.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Tyler
Four ZIP codes make up Tyler here: 75701, 75702, 75703 and 75711. Whitehouse, Chandler and Bullard are the nearby towns.
Tyler Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. A party to the suit cannot.
What if the person avoids service?
Record likely locations and attempts, then ask the court for substituted service.
How soon can a default judgment be taken?
Not before the proof has been filed for ten days.