How to Become a Licensed Process Server

Texas Process Server Association

According to Serve Papers, process servers deliver or serve legal documents such as complaints, subpoenas and other court documents to defendants or persons listed on the legal document being served. Process servers must deliver the documents in compliance with local legislation. After the documents are delivered, the process server must complete an Affidavit of Service to prove that the documents were delivered. In addition, process servers file court papers and may conduct investigations including skip traces, finding individuals and performing surveillance. Each state has different requirements to become a licensed process server. This article covers how to become a licensed process server in the state of Texas.

Instructions

Become a Process Server in Texas

1. Complete training. Enroll in a Texas Supreme Court-approved civil process course at Executive Services Investigators Schools, Houston Young Lawyers Association, Neff and Neff Associates, Process Servers Network of Texas, Regional Process Servers Academy, Texas Association of Licensed Investigators or Texas Process Servers Association. Bring your Texas driver's license and a pen or pencil to the training sessions.

2. Get fingerprinted. Visit the nearest law enforcement agency. Fill out the fingerprint card, including your Social Security Number, date of birth, citizenship and the reason you are requesting to be fingerprinted. Include the applicable fee, which is about $45, and mail the completed card to L-1 Enrollment Services/LiveScan Processing Unit, 1650 Wabash Suite D, Springfield, IL 62704.

3. Submit the information to complete a background check. Contact the Texas Department of Public Safety and request a Personal Criminal History Record application. Complete and mail the form to Texas Department of Public Safety, Attention: Correspondence, Crime Records Service, P. O. Box 15999, Austin, TX 78761-5999.

4. Apply for certification by downloading and completing the two-page application online at Texas Courts Online under the Process Server Review Board section of the Web site. After you sign the form, have it notarized. Return the completed original form to Supreme Court of Texas, Process Server Review Board, P. O. Box 12066, Austin, TX 78711.

5. Remain current. Update your contact information electronically by e-mailing [e-mail]. Update your contact information offline by contacting Process Server Review Board, P. O. Box 12066, Austin, TX 78711.

Resources

• Serve Papers
• Texas State Courts
• Texas State Forms