Filing and service · Question 4 of 10
Who can serve legal papers in Texas?
Citation is generally served by a sheriff, constable, or other person authorized by Texas Rule 103—not by a party interested in the outcome.… General legal information for self-represented litigants—not legal advice.
Short answer
Citation is generally served by a sheriff, constable, or other person authorized by Texas Rule 103—not by a party interested in the outcome.
What the court expects
Private process servers and court officials follow specific return-of-service forms. Self-service by a plaintiff is typically prohibited for citation on the original petition.
Practical steps
After you file, ensure proper citation issues and track return dates. Delayed service delays answer deadlines.
Earlier in this series
If you are working through this topic step by step, review "What is service of process?" before moving to related deadlines and filings.
References and official sources
Cross-check every rule and deadline against current official publications. Links open external government and court resources.
Related questions
Deeper guides and resources
Filing path
Progressive path: quick Q&A → deeper help → structured learning.
This Litigation Architect Q&A series provides general legal information for self-represented litigants. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee outcomes. Verify all deadlines, rules, and local requirements on your official court docket and with qualified counsel when needed.