Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Process Serving

Under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure (TRCP) 103, civil process may be served by (1) any sheriff or constable or other person authorized by law, (2) any person authorized by law or by written order of the court who is not less than 18 years of age, or (3) any person certified under order of the Texas Supreme Court through the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC). No person who is a party to or interested in the outcome of a suit may serve any process in that suit.

Our flat-rate Texas process serving pricing is $69 for Standard Service (first attempt in 3–5 business days), $119 for Rush Service (first attempt in 24–48 hours), and $169 for Same-Day Service (immediate same-day dispatch). Every tier includes up to 3–4 attempts across varied hours, GPS verification, and a TRCP Rule 107 Return of Service bearing our server's JBCC certification number and expiration date.

No! Unlike federal court (FRCP Rule 4) or many other states, TRCP Rule 106(a) strictly requires delivering the citation and petition to the defendant in person (or by registered/certified mail). Leaving a Texas citation with someone over 16 at the location, posting it on the front door, or serving via email/social media is ONLY legal after the judge signs a TRCP Rule 106(b) Order for Substituted Service supported by the process server's Sworn Statement of diligent attempts.

No for routine civil citations and subpoenas! Under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 6, no civil suit shall be commenced nor process issued or served on Sunday, EXCEPT in cases of injunction, attachment, garnishment, sequestration, or distress proceedings (and subject to specific Texas Family Code protective orders).

Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 22.001 and TRCP Rule 176.5, a witness subpoenaed to attend and testify in person at a deposition, hearing, or trial in Texas must be tendered a $10.00 fee for one day's attendance at the time the subpoena is served. For non-party business or medical records subpoenas by affidavit where no live appearance is required, the statutory records custodian fee under CPRC § 22.004 is $1.00.

Under TRCP Rule 107(b), the Return of Service must state the cause number, case style, court, description of what was served, date and time the process was received for service, the person or entity served, the exact address where served, the date and time of service, the manner of delivery, and—for JBCC-certified process servers—the server's identification number (PSC #) and certification expiration date. It must be either verified before a notary or signed under penalty of perjury pursuant to CPRC § 132.001, and must be on file with the clerk for at least 10 days (excluding the day of filing and day of judgment) before a default judgment can be granted under Rule 107(h).