Process serving · Texas
How to serve small claims papers in Texas
Texas's Justice Court (Small Claims Case) lists this method: Sheriff or constable, certified process server, the clerk by registered or certified mail (restricted delivery, return receipt requested), or a court-authorized person 18+; no party or interested person may serve (TRCP 501.2). If that method lets you use a private process server or another adult, we can arrange a vetted local server in Texas, quoted per job and confirmed before any work starts.
Texas's court guides spell out who delivers a small claims case to the defendant; this page repeats it and says when we can help.
| Court | Justice Court (Small Claims Case) |
|---|---|
| Service | Sheriff or constable, certified process server, the clerk by registered or certified mail (restricted delivery, return receipt requested), or a court-authorized person 18+; no party or interested person may serve (TRCP 501.2). |
| Where the case is filed | County and precinct where the defendant resides, where the incident occurred, where the contract was to be performed, or (to recover personal property) where the property is located; if the defendant is a nonresident or residence unknown, where the plaintiff resides (TRCP 502.4). Electronic filing is allowed if the court allows it (TRCP 502.1). |
| Small claims limit | $20,000. Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 500.1(a) (rules updated as of January 1, 2026) and Gov't Code 27.031: a small claims case can be for no more than $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees. Texas State Law Library: you cannot reduce a larger claim to fit. Justice courts also hear evictions and repair orders under separate rules. |
| Who can file | Individuals may represent themselves or use an attorney; the court may allow a family member or uncompensated person to assist. Corporations/entities may be represented by a non-attorney employee, owner, officer or partner, or by an attorney (TRCP 500.3). An authorized agent may not represent a party in a small claims case. |
When we can help in Texas
If the court lets you use a private server, send us the filed papers, the address and your deadline. A vetted local server makes the attempts and you get the proof of service on the court's form if it has one.
The full Texas small claims page, with limits and fees, is here.
Alabama · all states · serving someone in another state
If you represent yourself, you are responsible for your documents: what they say, that they are complete and signed, which court they go to and that they are filed on time. We are not lawyers, we do not give legal advice or draft pleadings, and we cannot guarantee any legal outcome. We file, serve or pull exactly what you send.
Sources
Before you send
- Send the papers to serve as a PDF, with every page in order.
- Give the best address, a description or photo of the person, and the times they're usually home.
- Up to three attempts at different times of day are included.
- You get a notarized affidavit of service once service is made.
- Rules on who may serve papers vary by state. The desk confirms them for your state before assigning a server.
Prefer to talk?
Call the desk and we'll take the request by phone.
Questions
Who serves small claims papers in Texas?
The court's guide says: Sheriff or constable, certified process server, the clerk by registered or certified mail (restricted delivery, return receipt requested), or a court-authorized person 18+; no party or interested person may serve (TRCP 501.2).
What does a Texas serve cost?
Outside New Jersey every serve is quoted per job, because local server rates and travel differ. We confirm the price before any work starts.
Can you tell me if service was done correctly?
No. The Texas court decides whether service was proper. We send you the server's proof of service so you can file it.