Process Serving · 3–5 day first attempt
Urgent Process Serving in Tennessee
Urgent service moves the first attempt up to 3–5 days after receipt, priced at 1.5 times the routine rate for the recipient's county.
When a week is too long but tomorrow is not required
A hearing is set in two weeks, or a summons sat in a file longer than planned. Routine timing would eat most of the remaining margin.
Urgent buys back several days without paying the Rush premium. It suits matters where you still want time for a second or third attempt before the date that matters.
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.
Ordering urgent service
- Tell us the deadlineNote the hearing, response or return date so the agent plans attempts around it.
- Confirm the quoteThe written quote shows the county, the urgent tier and the price.
- Attempts beginThe first attempt lands within 3–5 days, with later attempts at different times.
- Proof returnedYou receive the return and affidavit, with footage available on request.
What the urgent tier provides
First attempt in 3–5 days at 1.5× the county routine rate. The middle ground between routine and rush.
- First attempt in 3–5 daysThe first attempt is made within 3–5 days of receipt and a confirmed quote.
- Priced at 1.5×Calculated from the county routine starting rate shown on the pricing map.
- Room for follow-upsEarlier first contact leaves time for attempts at other hours before your deadline.
- Same documentationBody camera, GPS attempt log, field notes, return and signed affidavit.
Limits of the urgent tier
Urgent shortens the wait for the first attempt. It cannot make an absent or evasive recipient available sooner.
- For a first attempt within 1–2 days, Rush is the correct tier.
- Any request for service within 24 hours is billed as Same Day Rush.
- Example: a $75 Davidson County routine rate becomes a $113 urgent starting rate (the published rate guide rounds to the dollar), subject to the written quote.
Where urgent sits
| Tier | First attempt | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | 5–7 days | 1× |
| Urgent | 3–5 days | 1.5× |
| Rush | 1–2 days | 2× |
Questions about urgent process serving
Is urgent worth it over routine?
If your deadline is roughly one to two weeks out, the earlier first attempt usually leaves enough room for follow-ups that routine would not.
Does urgent pricing apply to every attempt?
The tier price covers the order as quoted. Any added fees for special handling are stated in the written quote before work begins.
Can urgent be combined with a stakeout?
Evasive recipients may need extra field work. Describe the situation at intake and DFS will quote it together.
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.