Frequently Asked Questions

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Certification/Renewal

1. Where can I obtain the most current application for Process Server certification?

Applications are available on the PSRB website at http://www.courts.state.tx.us/psrb/cert_renew.asp. Please download the application form, the instruction sheet and the applicant checklist. Follow the instructions on the instruction sheet carefully. Your application will be rejected if it is not completed properly. In accordance with the Rules of Judicial Administration (RJA), Rule 14, the Process Server Review Board will ONLY be accepting the most current version found on its website.

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2. What documentation do I need to submit with my application?

In addition to your application, you must submit an original certificate of completion from the director of an approved civil process course; the original criminal history report from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the original certified letter from the DPS. To avoid delay in processing your application, you should submit all required information in one complete packet.

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3. When is the next educational course offered?

You must contact the approved course provider directly to find out about specific class offerings. You may check the PSRB website at http://www.courts.state.tx.us/psrb/courses.asp for courses approved by the Supreme Court of Texas.

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4. Can I submit my application to the Process Server Review Board and then take an approved course?

No, as the instruction sheet clearly states—in a paragraph labeled IMPORTANT—"your application will not be considered if it does not include . . . a certificate from the director of an approved civil process service course that certifies that you have completed the approved course within the prior year." This same warning is reiterated at the bottom of the application itself.

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5. How do I obtain a criminal history report?

The Texas Department of Public Safety has contracted with Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) to provide fingerprinting services. For a list of FAST locations and hours of operation, please visit L-1 Identity Solutions, Enrollment Services Division. You must schedule an appointment by visiting their website or calling 1-888-467-2080. The FAST charge for the fingerprinting service is $9.95; the charge for a Texas criminal history record search is $15.00. All fees are paid to FAST at the time your fingerprints are taken. Do not submit any fees to the PSRB with your application packet.

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6. Can I be a process server if I have a criminal history?

If there is an incident in your past that you feel may cause a problem with your becoming a Certified Process Server, you would need to submit an application for certification. If your criminal history reflects legal proceedings for which a final disposition is not clearly shown, you bear the burden of establishing that you have not been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. The Board may deny certification if you have been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. If your criminal history reflects that you were charged with a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude and the charges resulted in an outcome other than acquittal or conviction (such as pretrial diversion, probation, deferred adjudication, community supervision, or similar result), the Board may consider such history in determining whether your certification should be granted.

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7. How long will it take to process my application?

You should allow at least eight weeks for processing your application regardless of if it is for new certification or renewal of certification.

To expedite the review of applications, the Board has formed an Application Review Committee that meets monthly. The Committee has been delegated the authority to review all applications and either approve an applicant's authority to serve statewide process or defer consideration to the full Board. The Committee's decision to approve an applicant must be unanimous. Do not call staff to request status of your application unless it has been longer than eight weeks since you submitted your application.

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8. Why is my application being delayed?

Applications are processed in the order received. The most common reason applications are delayed is the high volume of phone calls requesting application status. Due to the volume of applications processed each month, please do not call staff to request the status of your application unless it has been longer than eight weeks since submission. Other reasons applications are delayed are that they were not properly signed and notarized or that required information was left blank. To avoid delays in processing your application, please refer to the Process Server Applicant Checklist before submitting your application packet.

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9. What is the status of my paperwork? Will I be contacted upon approval of my application?

The Board is unable to confirm receipt of items sent to the office. Once your paperwork has been reviewed and processed, you will either receive notification indicating any corrections that need to be made or your name will be posted to the Complete List of Statewide Certified Process Servers. We strongly recommend that you refer to the master list on the website to check your status prior to contacting the Board office. Please be advised that calling to check on status significantly slows down the approval process; therefore, status checks will not be conducted unless it has been more than four weeks since you submitted your application packet.

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10. Will certified process servers be given ID badges?

No, the Process Server Review Board does not issue ID badges. If you elect to create your own ID it must accurately disclose your authority as a process server and not be misleading. Anyone wishing to confirm your status as a certified process server may do so by checking the list of certified servers on the PSRB website at http://www.courts.state.tx.us/psrb/server_list.asp.

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11. When can I renew my certification?

If you wish to avoid any lapse in certification during renewal, you should submit a completed application no sooner than ninety days before the expiration date defined under Rule 14.4(b)(6), and no later than forty-five days before the expiration date. Renewal applications filed more than ninety days before the expiration date will not be processed. However, this provision does not guarantee that a timely filed renewal application will be approved prior to expiration of an existing certification, and it is your responsibility to ensure, prior to serving any process under statewide certification, that your statewide certification remains in effect. Do not wait until the day before your certification expires to submit your renewal application.

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12. My certification has lapsed/expired, how can I get reinstated?

To renew an existing certification or reinstate your certification, you must file a new application, including a current criminal history statement, criminal history record, and course certificate as specified under Rule 14.4(a). For more information, go to the Certification/Renewal page at the PSRB website.

13. When should I request my criminal history report?

You may obtain your criminal history report no sooner than 180 days prior to your expiration date. The 90 day limitation found in Rule 14 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration applies to the date you submit your application. See Rule 14.4(a)(2), "…The application must include a criminal history record obtained within the preceding 90 days from the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, Texas…"

14. When should I take the required civil process service course?

You may take the required civil process service course up to a year before the expiration date of your certification. The one-year limitation in Rule 14 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration refers to the date you submit your application. See Rule 14.4(a)(3), "The application must include a certificate from the director of a civil process service course, approved for certification in every state court pursuant to Supreme Court order, stating that the applicant has completed the approved course within the prior year…"

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Miscellaneous

1. Do I have to be certified by the Process Server Review Board?

The rules allow any person "authorized by law or by written order of the court" and "who is not less than eighteen years of age" to serve process. Thus, a trial court may elect to continue its current practice of authorizing process service. You should check with your local court if you are uncertain.

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2. Can a Supreme Court authorized private process server still serve process by certified mail?

Yes, an authorized process server may serve process by certified mail, see Rule 103. Also, upon request, the clerk of court must effect service by certified mail.

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3. Why do some but not all of the ID numbers contain an 'H'?

If you have an 'H' in your ID number, you are certified to serve for all Texas courts. An 'H' in an ID number previously indicated authority to serve in Harris County. Since October, 2008, all process servers with an 'SC' number are authorized to serve in all Texas counties.

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4. How do I update my contact information with the Board office?

All requests to update contact information must be submitted in writing using the Information Change Form located on the PSRB Website to the PSRB main address or by email to processservers@courts.state.tx.us. Please do not send the same request multiple times (i.e. via fax and email). The Certified Process Server List is only updated one time per month, therefore requests may take thirty days or more to fulfill.

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5. I have read the Court's order on certification and the Court's instruction sheet but I still have a question about certification. Is there someone I can call?

Yes, you may call the Process Server Review Board at 512-463-2713. Please make sure you have read all the information on the website before you call the Board.

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6. I have questions about serving process. Is there someone I can call?

Please understand that we are prohibited by law from providing legal representation, legal counsel, or interpretation or explanations of the law to private individuals and organizations. You may be able to contact your educational course provider if they have offered you that service. Links to statutes are provided for your personal reference on the Links page of the PSRB website.

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7. Does a person who is authorized to serve process have authority to authorize another person to serve process? Can a company be authorized to serve process?

No, only specifically named individuals are authorized by the PSRB as Process Servers under the Supreme Court Certification Program.

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8. How do I file a complaint against a Certified Process Server?

The complaint form for complaints against an individual process server is available on the Complaints page of the PSRB website.

This form is different from the educational provider complaint form. Be sure you submit the correct form. For more information on the complaint process, including procedural timelines and required information, see RJA 14.5. Disciplinary Actions.

This board is not allowed to make decisions with regard to whether a defendant or witness was or was not validly served with process in any case filed in court; you must file the appropriate documents with the relevant court if you wish to respond to or to challenge any action in a particular court case. If you believe a certified process server has committed a criminal act, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

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9. Can I file a complaint for non-payment of service?

No. Payment issues are not considered for disciplinary action by the Board. State law does not authorize this Board to seek or obtain restitution on your behalf. You should always consult with an attorney to determine if you have any rights or remedies under Texas law.

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10. How do I file a complaint against a process server school?

The complaint form for complaints against a process server educational provider is available on the PSRB website's Complaints page.

This form is different from the individual process server complaint form. Be sure you submit the correct form.

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11. I am a commissioned/licensed peace officer. Do I need to be certified to serve private process?

You must be certified by the Supreme Court of Texas or a local order to serve private process if you were hired to do so outside of your official capacity. You also must not wear your uniform when serving process as a private certified process server if the process you are serving was issued to you in any capacity other than your official capacity.

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12. I am a constable. May I collect fees for serving private civil process while off-duty?

No. Section 86.021(d), Local Government Code, prohibits a constable and their deputies, under any circumstance, from retaining a fee paid for serving private civil process in the constable's official capacity other than the constable's regular salary or compensation and requires that any fee paid to a constable or their deputies for serving civil process in the constable's official capacity be deposited with the county treasurer of the constable's county.

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Updated: 06-Jun-2012