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TX · rules

Tex. R. Civ. P. 501.4

Service of Papers other than Citation

activein force · 2026-07-01 – presentact-effective-date

(a) Method of Service. Other than a citation or oral motions made when all parties are present,

every notice required by these rules, and every pleading, plea, motion, application to the

court for an order, or other form of request, must be served on all other parties in one of

the following ways:

(1) In person. A copy may be delivered to the party to be served, or the party’s duly

authorized agent or attorney of record, in person or by agent.

(2) Mail or courier. A copy may be sent by courier-receipted delivery or by certified

or registered mail, to the party’ s last known address. Service by certified or

registered mail is complete when the document is properly addressed and deposited

in the United States mail, postage prepaid.

(3) Fax. A copy may be faxed to the recipient’s current fax number. Service by fax

after 5:00 p.m. local time of the recipient will be deemed to have been served on

the following day.

(4) Email. A copy may be sent to an email address expressly provided by the

receiving party, if the party has consented to email service in writing. Service by

email after 5:00 p.m. local time of the recipient will be deemed to have been served

on the following day.

(5) Other. A copy may be delivered in any other manner directed by the court.

(b) Timing. If a document is served by mail, 3 days will be added to the length of time a party

has to respond to the document. Notice of any court proceeding requested by a party must

be served on all other parties not less than 3 days before the time specified for the court

proceeding.

(c) Who May Serve. Documents other than a citation may be served by a party to the suit, an

attorney of record, a sheriff or constable, or by any other person competent to testify.

(d) Certificate of Service. The party or the party’ s attorney of record must include in writing

on all documents filed a signed statement describing the manner in which the document

was served on the other party or parties and the date of service. A certificate by a party or

the party’s attorney of record, or the return of the officer, or the sworn statement of any

other person showing service of a notice is proof of service.

(d) Failure to Serve. A party may offer evidence or testimony that a notice or document was not

received, or, if service was by mail, that it was not received within 3 days from the date of mailing,

and upon so finding, the court may extend the time for taking the action required of the party or

grant other relief as it deems just.

Provenance

Source
txcourts.gov
Retrieved
2026-09-15
Edition
2026-09-14
Content hash
531adfcf54ee27576c9f83521cf56d6b66868d053a1c542f2709842bb467ae91
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