Process Serving · Within 2 hours of receipt
Same Day Rush Process Serving in Tennessee
Same Day Rush is the fastest DFS tier: an agent attempts service within 2 hours of receiving the papers, at three times the county routine rate, when field availability allows.
When the deadline is today
A temporary restraining order, a hearing tomorrow morning, or a subpoena that has to reach a witness before trial. The papers need to move the moment they are ready.
Same Day Rush exists for these moments. Because it depends on an agent being free near the recipient, DFS checks availability before accepting the order rather than promising a time it cannot meet.
What it costs in Davidson County
Every county has its own published starting rate. Nashville and Davidson County are shown here; look up any of the 95 counties on the pricing map.
Davidson County · Middle Tennessee
Published starting rates from the DFS rate guide. Final pricing depends on location, urgency and document readiness and is confirmed in writing before the first attempt. *Same Day Rush availability is assessed case by case; any request for service within 24 hours is billed as Same Day Rush. ^Filing and courier work may carry added fees for urgent or special handling.
Same day, step by step
- Call or text firstReach DFS at (629) 310-8667 with the county, address and deadline before sending papers.
- Availability confirmedDFS tells you whether the 2-hour window can be met and sends a written quote.
- Papers releasedSend service-ready documents; the 2-hour clock runs from receipt.
- Serve and reportThe agent attempts service and you receive confirmation, then the return and affidavit.
What same day service includes
Service within 2 hours of receipt at 3× the routine rate, availability confirmed case by case.
- Availability check firstDFS confirms whether an agent can reach the address before you commit.
- Attempt within 2 hoursMeasured from receipt of service-ready papers once the order is accepted.
- Priced at 3×Three times the routine starting rate for the recipient's county.
- Status from the fieldYou are told whether the serve was completed or what the agent found at the address.
- Same proof standardBody camera, GPS-stamped log, return and signed affidavit.
Honest limits on speed
Same Day Rush is assessed case by case. Distance, traffic, county and agent availability decide whether it can be offered.
- An attempt within 2 hours is not the same as a completed serve; the recipient must be present.
- Unsigned, unissued or incomplete papers cannot be served and do not start the clock.
- Example: a $155 Shelby County routine rate becomes a $465 same day starting rate.
The 24-hour billing rule
Any request for service within 24 hours of receipt is billed as Same Day Rush at 3× the routine rate, even if the serve is not completed within 2 hours. If you can allow more than 24 hours, Rush at 2× is the lower-cost choice.
Questions about same day rush service
Why was my next-morning request billed as same day?
Any request for service within 24 hours of receipt falls under Same Day Rush pricing. Allowing more than 24 hours lets the order run as Rush.
Is same day service available in every county?
It is assessed case by case. Call before sending papers so DFS can confirm whether an agent can reach the address in time.
Do I pay the same day rate if DFS declines the order?
No order is placed until DFS confirms availability and you accept the written quote.
Guides on this topic
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Related services
Next steps and alternatives that often go with this work.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information, not legal advice.
Papers ready to go out?
Send the documents and the recipient’s last known address through the request form. DFS confirms the county, tier and price in writing before the first attempt.
Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.