Certified process servers in Willacy County, Texas

Under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 103, process may be served by a sheriff or constable, by a person authorized by law or written court order who is at least 18, or by any person certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC). A party to the case, or anyone interested in its outcome, may not serve it. Unless a court orders otherwise, only a sheriff or constable may serve eviction (forcible entry and detainer) citations and writs that require taking possession of a person or property.

Yes. Rule 103 says process "may be served anywhere" by a JBCC-certified process server, so certification is statewide and not limited to the server's home county.

The Texas rules don't set a fixed turnaround for serving a citation, so ask the server about timing and rush options. Once served, the citation tells the defendant to answer by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday after 20 days from service in district and county courts (Rule 99(b)); justice courts follow their own rules (Rule 500 series). A default judgment can't be granted until the proof of service has been on file with the clerk for ten days, not counting the day of filing and the day of judgment (Rule 107(h)).

Search the server's name or PSC certification number on the JBCC's public licensee search and confirm the status is Active. The server's return of service must also include their identification number and the expiration date of their certification (Rule 107(b)(10)).

1 JBCC-certified process servers on the state's public list are associated with Willacy County, as of our latest weekly check.