Rule 21a.Methods of Service

Last amended January 1, 2014 · Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 21a sets how papers are served after a suit begins — electronically through the e-filing manager when an email is on file, otherwise by mail, delivery, fax, or email — and adds three days to a deadline when service is by mail.

Full Text of Rule 21a

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

(a) Methods of Service. Every notice required by these rules, and every pleading, plea, motion, or other form of request required to be served under Rule 21, other than the citation to be served upon the filing of a cause of action and except as otherwise expressly provided in these rules, may be served by delivering a copy to the party to be served, or the party's duly authorized agent or attorney of record in the manner specified below:

(1) Documents Filed Electronically. A document filed electronically under Rule 21 must be served electronically through the electronic filing manager if the email address of the party or attorney to be served is on file with the electronic filing manager. If the email address of the party or attorney to be served is not on file with the electronic filing manager, the document may be served on that party or attorney under subparagraph (2).

(2) Documents Not Filed Electronically. A document not filed electronically may be served in person, by mail, by commercial delivery service, by fax, by email, or by such other manner as the court in its discretion may direct.

(b) When Complete.

(1) Service by mail or commercial delivery service shall be complete upon deposit of the document, postpaid and properly addressed, in the mail or with a commercial delivery service.

(2) Service by fax is complete on receipt. Service completed after 5:00 p.m. local time of the recipient shall be deemed served on the following day.

(3) Electronic service is complete on transmission of the document to the serving party's electronic filing service provider. The electronic filing manager will send confirmation of service to the serving party.

(c) Time for Action After Service. Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or other paper upon him and the notice or paper is served upon him by mail, three days shall be added to the prescribed period.

(d) Who May Serve. Notice 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.

(e) Proof of Service. The party or attorney of record shall certify to the court compliance with this rule in writing over signature and on the filed instrument. A certificate by a party or an attorney of record, or the return of the officer, or the affidavit of any other person showing service of a notice shall be prima facie evidence of the fact of service. Nothing herein shall preclude any party from offering proof that the document was not received, or, if service was by mail, that the document was not received within three days from the date that it was deposited in the mail, and upon so finding, the court may extend the time for taking the action required of such party or grant such other relief as it deems just.

(f) Procedures Cumulative. These provisions are cumulative of all other methods of service prescribed by these rules.

End

Notes and Comments

Comment to 2013 Change: Rule 21a is revised to incorporate rules for electronic service in accordance with the Supreme Court's order - Misc. Docket No. 12-9206, amended by Misc. Docket Nos. 13-9092 and 13-9164 - mandating electronic filing in civil cases beginning on January 1, 2014.

Comment to 1990 change: To allow for service by current delivery means and technologies.

2024 Comment: The Estates Code provides for other methods of service and citation, and proof thereof, in estate and guardianship proceedings and governs those proceedings.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 21a covers how to serve the papers a case generates after the initial citation — pleadings, motions, and notices. A document e-filed under Rule 21 must be served electronically through the electronic filing manager when the recipient's email is on file. If it is not on file, or the document was not e-filed, service may be in person, by mail, by commercial delivery, by fax, or by email.

When service is complete depends on the method. Mail and commercial delivery are complete on deposit; a fax is complete on receipt, but one finished after 5:00 p.m. counts as served the next day; electronic service is complete when the document reaches the serving party's filing service provider. One timing rule matters often: when a paper is served by mail, three days are added to any period the other side has to respond.

The party or attorney certifies service on the filed document, and that certificate is prima facie proof that service happened. The other side may still prove it never received the paper, or did not receive a mailed paper within three days, and ask the court for more time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are documents served in a Texas case after it is filed?

A document e-filed under Rule 21 is served electronically through the e-filing manager if the recipient's email is on file. Otherwise, service may be in person, by mail, commercial delivery, fax, or email.

Does mailing add time to a deadline?

Yes. Under Rule 21a, when a paper is served by mail, three days are added to the period the other party has to act.

When is fax service complete?

On receipt — but service completed after 5:00 p.m. in the recipient's local time is treated as served the next day.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 21a), 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: methods of serviceservice by mailthree-day mail ruleelectronic servicee-serviceTRCP 21a