Service of Process in Clay County
Administered from the county seat of Celina (145 Cordell Hull Drive, Celina, ZIP 38551), Clay County forms part of the 13th Judicial District in Central TN Division. Pleadings can be served across Leonard / Free Hill / Fairview / Denton Crossroads / Clementsville / Cherry Crossroads and along TN-53 and TN-52. Under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.01(2) and Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-901, any disinterested adult at least 18 years old may serve Tennessee civil process. Instead of losing the non-refundable $50 county sheriff charge on an unsuccessful attempt (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-901(a)(1)(D)), law firms can order $85 routine, $150 rush, or $215 same-day service, with the return prepared under Rule 4.03(1).
| Clay County Venue Specification | Statutory and Clerk Record |
|---|---|
| Clerk Location (Celina) | 145 Cordell Hull Dr, Celina, TN 38551 (13th Judicial District) |
| Division and Route Access | Central TN Division Corridor (TN-52 / TN-53) |
| Private Rates vs. Sheriff | $85 Routine • $150 Rush • $215 Same-Day (Sheriff benchmark: $50 under Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-901(a)(1)(A)) |
Courts & Filing Deadlines in Clay County
Three statutory rules govern civil execution in Clay County (13th Judicial District): (1) Circuit and Chancery summonses issued at 145 Cordell Hull Drive in Celina must be served within 90 days under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.03(1), whereas General Sessions civil warrants must be served within 60 days of issuance under Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-902(b); (2) personal delivery is required under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.04(1) unless the target evades service; and (3) Because Clay County is a non-URLTA county under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102, lease enforcement in Leonard / Free Hill / Fairview / Denton Crossroads / Clementsville / Cherry Crossroads proceeds under general Tennessee detainer law. Any General Sessions detainer warrant must be served ≥6 full days prior to the Celina hearing (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-18-117), and live testimony subpoenas under Rule 45 require a $30.00/day attendance fee (Tenn. Code Ann. § 24-4-101).
Cities We Cover in Clay County
- Leonard (Clay)
- Free Hill (Clay)
- Fairview (Clay)
- Denton Crossroads (Clay)
- Clementsville (Clay)
- Cherry Crossroads (Clay)
- Boles (Clay)
- Bakerton (Clay)
- Arcott (Clay)
- Celina (Clay)
Clay County Process Server FAQ
- Who is authorized to serve civil process in Clay County, Tennessee?
- Under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.01(2) and Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-901, any disinterested adult at least 18 years old is legally authorized to serve Circuit, Chancery, and General Sessions process throughout Clay County.
- Why does door posting a detainer warrant in Celina bar a back-rent judgment?
- Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-18-115 and Tennessee appellate precedent, constructive posting grants in rem possession only; personal delivery is required for an in personam money judgment.