Serving papers
Service of process in Dallas County follows Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 103. The most important distinction: substitute service in Dallas County is not automatic — it requires a court order under Rule 106(b). Personal service, documented diligence, and Dallas County-specific return language are the three pillars of valid service.
Assignment basics
Nothing here guarantees a service outcome; results depend on the defendant, the address, and the court's requirements.
Procedure
Dallas County citations move through a defined chain: issuance, delivery to a server, execution, then a sworn return filed with the court.
Under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure the clerk issues the citation, and service is made by a sheriff, constable or any person authorized under Rule 103 who is not a party to the case and is at least 18. Dallas County constable precincts cover the county geographically, so the precinct that serves the address is set by where the defendant is, not by where the case was filed.
Rule 106 controls what happens when direct delivery fails: a motion supported by affidavit can authorize substituted service — leaving the citation at the defendant’s usual place of abode or business with anyone over 16, or by another method the court finds reasonably effective. The affidavit has to describe the attempts already made, which is why each attempt is logged with date, time, address and observation.
Who may serve: sheriff, constable, or an authorized non-party adult.
Substituted service requires a motion supported by documented attempts.
The constable precinct is set by the service address, not the filing court.
Any non-party adult 18+ may serve process in Dallas County. Server must be authorized under TRCP Rule 103 — not a party to the action.
Before service, confirm the correct Dallas County court by claim amount and case type. District Court (above $200K), County Court at Law ($500–$200K), or JP (evictions and under $20K).
Deliver process directly to the named defendant at their usual place of abode, usual place of business, or any other place where the defendant can be found. Identity must be established.
Substitute service requires a Dallas County court order under Rule 106(b). Personal service must be attempted and documented before filing a motion.
Confirm correct Dallas County court by claim amount and case type.
Attempt personal service on the named defendant. Document every attempt.
Maintain detailed records of every service attempt — date, time, address, outcome.
After documented failures, file motion with diligence affidavit and proposed alternative service order.
Complete return with server's Rule 103 authority, date/time, identity of person served, and manner of service.
Licensed servers. TRCP Rule 103/106 compliant returns. Court-matched filing.
Start an assignment
Coordination, documented attempts, and a court-ready return of service.
Intake is open 24/7. Requests are reviewed in the order received; urgent deadlines should be flagged by phone.