Harris County District Courts Service and Proof of Service Rules
8 rules from official source documents
E-service, mail, personal service, proof of service, certificate, and timing requirements. This page is scoped to Harris County District Courts; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
- Service
- Other to opposing party
Self-represented litigants must serve a copy of every pleading filed with the court on the opposing attorney or party.
You must send a copy of every pleading you file with the court to the opposing attorney, or party (if they do not have an attorney).
- Applies to
- Pleading
- Service
- Other to opposing party
Pro se litigants must send a copy of every pleading filed with the court to the opposing party or their attorney.
You must send a copy of every pleading you file with the court to the opposing attorney, or party (if they do not have an attorney).
- Deadline
- 5 calendar days
- Applies to
- Notice of hearing
- Service
- Court service to all parties
After obtain a hearing date, a notice of oral hearing must be filed and served, providing five written days' notice, or the hearing will be passed.
Once you call the Clerk and obtain a hearing date, please file a notice of oral hearing and serve it on all parties. The Court requires at least five (5) days written notice to all meet, unless otherwise shortened by the Court, agreed by all parties, or the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure require different deadlines. The failure to file a notice of hearing will result in this Court passing the hearing.
- Deadline
- 10 calendar days
- Service
- Mail to all parties
In a default judgment, the movant must give the defaulting party and other appearing parties 10 days’ notice by regular and certified mail and must file a certificate of service.
The Court requires the movant to give the defaulting parties (as well as any other parties who may have made an appearance in the case) 10 days’ notice of the hearing and of the default motion by regular and certified mail, and to certify that this has been done in a certificate of service.
- Applies to
- Pleading
- Service
- Other to opposing party
A copy of every pleading filed with the court must be sent to the opposing attorney or party.
You must send a copy of every pleading you file with the court to the opposing attorney, or party (if they do not have an attorney).
- Service
- Other to all parties
If an emergency hearing is granted, the movant must provide proper notice of the hearing to all parties.
If an emergency hearing is granted, the movant is responsible for providing proper notice of the hearing to all parties.
- Service
- Other
Parties must exchange all exhibits before trial.
The parties shall exchange ALL exhibits prior to trial.
- Service
Substituted service is complete upon compliance with the court's order even if the defendant does not sign the certified-mail receipt.
Service will be complete upon compliance with this Order regardless of whether Defendant signs the certified mail receipt.
What rule applies to serving the opposing party in Harris County District Courts?
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party. Self-represented litigants must serve a copy of every pleading filed with the court on the opposing attorney or party.
What rule applies to service for pleading in Harris County District Courts?
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party. Pro se litigants must send a copy of every pleading filed with the court to the opposing party or their attorney.
What rule applies to service for notice of hearing in Harris County District Courts?
Proof of service is not required by this specific service rule. Details: method: court service, recipient: all parties, timing: 5 calendar days before hearing. After obtain a hearing date, a notice of oral hearing must be filed and served, providing five written days' notice, or the hearing will be passed.
What rule applies to service by mail for all parties in Harris County District Courts?
Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. Details: method: service by mail, recipient: all parties, timing: 10 calendar days before hearing. In a default judgment, the movant must give the defaulting party and other appearing parties 10 days’ notice by regular and certified mail and must file a certificate of service.
What rule applies to service for pleading in Harris County District Courts?
Proof of service is not required by this specific service rule. Details: recipient: the opposing party. A copy of every pleading filed with the court must be sent to the opposing attorney or party.
What rule applies to serving all parties in Harris County District Courts?
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. If an emergency hearing is granted, the movant must provide proper notice of the hearing to all parties.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtPage & Word Limits
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.