General information about Texas civil-process topics, not legal advice. Rules and requirements depend on your court and proceeding. Consult an attorney about your case.
Service is more than handing over an envelope
Service of process gives a person formal notice of a civil lawsuit and an opportunity to respond. The papers, person authorized to serve them, method of delivery and documentation all matter. A delivery that does not meet the applicable requirements can create disputes and delay a case.
Texas civil cases can have different service requirements depending on the court, document and proceeding. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure describe important rules for citation and service, but not every legal document or case follows the same procedure. Ask your attorney or court for the instructions that apply to your matter.
Accurate information helps an assignment begin
Provide the complete, properly issued documents, the recipient or entity name, a full address, the court and case number if known, and any deadline. Useful access information can help plan an attempt, especially for a business address, apartment or rural location.
A professional process server reviews the assignment and documents attempts. If the address is outdated or access is restricted, that information helps the client decide what to do next rather than assuming delivery has been completed.
Documentation records what actually happened
Rule 107 sets requirements for a return of service in the civil matters it governs. A return documents the service that occurred; it is not a guarantee of a court outcome. If service is unsuccessful, an appropriate record of attempts or non-service can help explain the circumstances.
Preparing service documentation and filing it with the court are separate tasks. Confirm your filing instructions rather than assuming an affidavit is automatically filed as part of every service assignment.
Discuss the assignment before work starts
RAM provides personally handled assignments in Travis, Williamson and Burnet Counties. Jessica reviews your location, documents and timing, then confirms pricing and availability. Standard, rush and same-day timing describe scheduling options, not a guarantee that the recipient will be found or served.
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