Rule 501.4.Service of Papers Other Than Citation

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 501.4 governs serving papers other than the citation — in person, by mail or courier, fax, email with consent, or as the court directs — adds three days to a mailed deadline, and requires a certificate of service.

Full Text of Rule 501.4

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

(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.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 501.4 covers serving later papers — pleadings, motions, and notices — once a party is in the case. Service may be in person, by mail or courier to the last known address, by fax, by email if the party consented in writing, or by another method the court directs. If a document is served by mail, three days are added to the recipient's response time.

A party, attorney, sheriff, constable, or other authorized person may serve, and the filer must include a signed certificate of service describing how and when service was made.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are motions and notices served in Texas justice court?

In person, by mail or courier, fax, or email with written consent (Rule 501.4). Service by mail adds three days to the response time.

Who is allowed to serve papers other than the citation in Texas justice court?

Rule 501.4 permits a party to the suit, an attorney of record, a sheriff or constable, or any other person competent to testify.

What if you never got a document the other side says was served in Texas justice court?

Rule 501.4 lets you offer evidence that you didn't receive it — or didn't receive a mailed document within 3 days of mailing — and the court may extend your deadline or grant other relief.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 501.4), 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: service of papers other than citationcertificate of serviceemail service justice courtTRCP 501.4