Rule 501.1.Citation

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 501.1 governs the citation in justice court — the clerk issues it when a petition is filed, it must take the prescribed form, carry a boldface "You have been sued" notice, and the plaintiff supplies enough copies for each defendant.

Full Text of Rule 501.1

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) Issuance. When a petition is filed with a justice court to initiate a suit, the clerk must promptly issue a citation and deliver the citation as directed by the plaintiff. The plaintiff is responsible for obtaining service on the defendant of the citation, a copy of the petition, and any documents filed with the petition. Upon request, separate or additional citations must be issued by the clerk. The clerk must retain a copy of the citation in the court’s file.

(b) Form. The citation must:

(1) be styled “The State of Texas”;

(2) be signed by the clerk under seal of court or by the judge;

(3) contain the name, location, and address of the court;

(4) show the date of filing of the petition;

(5) show the date of issuance of the citation;

(6) show the file number and names of parties;

(7) be directed to the defendant;

(8) show the name and address of attorney for plaintiff, or if the plaintiff does not have an attorney, the address of plaintiff; and

(9) notify defendant that, if the defendant fails to file an answer, the court may render judgment by default for the relief demanded in the petition.

(c) Notice. The citation must include the following notice to the defendant in boldface type: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney to help you in defending against this lawsuit. But you are not required to employ an attorney. You or your attorney must file an answer with the court. Your answer is due by the end of the 14th day after the day you were served with these papers. If the 14th day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, your answer is due by the end of the first day following the 14th day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Do not ignore these papers. If you do not file an answer by the due date, a default judgment may be taken against you. For further information, consult Part V of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which is available online and also at the court listed on this citation.”

(d) Copies. The plaintiff must provide enough copies to be served on each defendant. If the plaintiff fails to do so, the clerk may make copies and charge the plaintiff the allowable copying cost.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 501.1 covers the document that notifies a defendant of the suit. When a petition is filed, the clerk promptly issues a citation. It must be styled "The State of Texas," be signed and sealed, identify the court and parties, show the filing and issuance dates, be directed to the defendant, give the plaintiff's or plaintiff's attorney's address, and warn that failing to answer may lead to a default judgment.

It must also carry a boldface notice telling the defendant it has been sued and may hire an attorney. The plaintiff provides enough copies to serve each defendant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a citation in Texas justice court?

The court-issued document that notifies a defendant of the lawsuit. Rule 501.1 sets its form and its boldface "You have been sued" notice.

Who has to make sure the defendant is served in Texas justice court?

The plaintiff. Rule 501.1 has the clerk issue the citation, but the plaintiff is responsible for getting the defendant served with the citation, the petition, and any documents filed with it.

Who provides copies of the citation for each defendant?

The plaintiff. Rule 501.1 requires the plaintiff to supply enough copies for each defendant; if the plaintiff doesn't, the clerk may make them and charge the plaintiff the copying cost.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 501.1), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: citation justice courtyou have been suedform of citationcitation requirements justice courtTRCP 501.1