In Waco, the McLennan County courthouse stands about 3.3 miles from the city's reference point, a short hop that suits a process server in Waco, TX working a McLennan County file. Citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate go out for an attempt within 5 business days, within 48 hours or within 24 hours, depending on the tier chosen, and the delivered papers are followed by a signed Return of Service in your email. Waco, with 140,122 people, is the county seat and lies wholly in McLennan County.
What Waco Process Service Costs: The Price of Each Tier
Here is the full menu. At $69 Standard Service sets the attempt inside 5 business days. At $119 Rush Service tightens that to 48 hours. At $169 24-Hour Service puts the attempt inside 24 hours. The pricing page repeats this in a table and the order form is where you submit the job.
County officers are a separate route. McLennan County's commissioners court sets constable and sheriff fees (Local Government Code 118.131), so ask them what applies now. A private server is just another route to the same result, delivery.
Who May Serve Papers in Waco: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
A Waco plaintiff does not serve their own papers, and neither does a witness or relative who benefits from the case. Rule 103 lists the people who can: sheriffs, constables and other persons authorized by law; an adult 18 or older with a written court order; and persons certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. Clerks will also mail a citation by registered or certified mail on request.
Government Code 156.001 gives the definition of a certified process server, and the certification must be renewed by the last day of the month of its second anniversary. The Rule 103 certification guide explains in more detail.
Where Waco Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
The McLennan County Courthouse is at 501 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701-1300, about 3.3 miles from the reference point. Because Waco is the seat, the courthouse is local.
In Texas, the amount in dispute steers the case. Justice court is the venue for civil claims of $20,000 or less, interest not counted, and for evictions, with divorce, slander, defamation, title to land and lien-on-land suits excluded. County court overlaps there for amounts above $200. Statutory county court and district court overlap for civil cases over $500 up to $325,000. The justice court precinct follows the address in dispute, and the justice court clerk can confirm which applies. The McLennan County page adds more.
Eviction Notices in Waco: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
Waco landlords have a fixed order of operations for suits filed on or after January 1, 2026. First, a written notice to vacate, which must give at least three days unless a lease or written agreement sets another period. For unpaid rent the notice can ask the tenant to pay or vacate. It can be mailed, left inside the premises in a conspicuous place, handed to a tenant 16 or older, or sent electronically if the parties agreed in writing.
Second, the sworn petition in justice court. A sheriff or constable is the only person who may serve the citation. If five business days pass after filing without service, the landlord can request an alias citation for another qualified law enforcement officer. A private server handles step one only.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Waco Defendants
Divorces are filed in district court, and the citation with the petition has to reach the defendant. Hand delivery works, as does registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. When a defendant avoids both, the filer asks the court under Rule 106(b), swearing to where the defendant can probably be found and what was already tried. The judge may then allow leaving the papers with someone over 16 at that spot or serving by email or social media. Door posting alone does not qualify. The Rule 106(b) guide walks through it.
Corporations and other companies have a registered agent at a registered office. Their president and vice presidents are also agents. The default-judgment wait is ten days after proof of service is filed (Rule 107(h)).
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Waco
Subpoena delivery in Texas is open to a sheriff, constable or any adult non-party, who hands over a copy and tenders any required fee. Witnesses are entitled to $10 for each day of attendance, which the summoning party pays at service, while a records custodian is entitled to $1. A witness living within 150 miles of the county of the suit can be summoned. The subpoena guide covers intake.
The data lists two hospitals: Ascension Providence at 6901 Medical Parkway (3.0 miles) and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Hillcrest at 100 Hillcrest Medical Blvd (4.7 miles). The Waco Police Department is the local police agency.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Waco
Waco's ZIP codes are 76701, 76704, 76706, 76707, 76708, 76710, 76711, 76712 and 76798. Neighbors include Woodway, Bellmead, McGregor, Robinson, Hewitt and Beverly Hills.
Waco Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. The plaintiff and defendant cannot, nor can anyone interested in the result.
How soon after service can a default judgment be taken?
Ten days after the return is on file with the clerk, not counting filing day or judgment day.
How is a company served?
Via its registered agent, or the Secretary of State when no agent can be found with reasonable diligence.