Tex. R. Civ. P. 501.2

(a) Who May Serve. No person who is a party to or interested in the outcome of the suit may

serve citation in that suit. A citation may be served by:

(1) a sheriff or constable;

(2) a process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission;

(3) the clerk of the court, if the citation is served by registered or certified mail; or

(4) a person authorized by court order who is 18 years of age or older.

(b) Method of Service. Citation must be served by:

(1) delivering a copy of the citation with a copy of the petition attached to the defendant

in person, after endorsing the date of delivery on the citation; or

(2) mailing a copy of the citation with a copy of the petition attached to the defendant

by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, with return receipt or electronic

return receipt requested.

(c) Service Fees. A plaintiff must pay all fees for service unless the plaintiff has filed a

Statement of I nability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with the court. If t he plaintiff

has filed a S tatement, the plaintiff must arrange for the citation to be served by a sheriff,

constable, or court clerk.

(d) Service on Sunday. A citation cannot be served on a Sunday except in attachment,

garnishment, sequestration, or distress proceedings.

(e) Alternative Service of Citation. If the methods under (b) are insufficient to serve the

defendant, the plaintiff, or the constable, sheriff, process server certified by the Judicial

Branch Certification Commission, or other person authorized to serve process, may make

a request for alternative service. This request must include a sworn statement describing

the methods attempted under (b) and stating the defendant’s usual place of business or

residence, or other place where the defendant can probably b e found. The court may

authorize the following types of alternative service:

(1) mailing a copy of the citation with a copy of the petition attached by first class mail

to the defendant at a specified address, and also leaving a copy of the citation with

petition attached at the defendant’s residence or other place where the defendant

can probably be found with any person found there who is at least 16 years of age;

or

(2) mailing a copy of the citation with a copy of the petition attached by first class mail

to the defendant at a specified address, and also serving by any other method that

the court finds is reasonably likely to provide the defendant with notice of the suit.

(f) Service by Publication. In the event that service of citation by publication is necessary,

the process is governed by the rules in county and district court.