Service by social media, email or text in Texas

Yes, it's allowed — with a court order

Since the 2020 amendments, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 106(b)(2) lets a court authorize service "in any other manner, including electronically by social media, email, or other technology," that the evidence shows will be reasonably effective to give the defendant notice. It's not a shortcut around personal service — the motion still needs a sworn statement of diligent attempts first — but when someone is clearly avoiding the door while living online, it's often the fastest way to move the case.

What the judge needs to see

Courts want two things: that personal service was genuinely tried, and that the electronic channel will actually reach this defendant. That second part is where most motions are thin. The evidence that helps:

• The account is theirs — profile name and photo matching the defendant, posts about known people, places or events, a phone number or email that ties back to them.
• The account is active — recent posts, stories, comments or messages, with dates.
• The channel can deliver a document — direct messages are open, the email address has been used recently, the number receives texts.
• The diligence came first — our GPS-logged attempts at the address, documented in a due-diligence affidavit.

Our electronic service package

1. Evidence capture. Dated screenshots and links showing the account's identity and recent activity, organized into exhibits your attorney can attach to the Rule 106 motion. We only capture what's publicly visible or what you lawfully provide — we don't hack, impersonate, or create fake profiles.
2. Supporting affidavit. A sworn statement from the server describing the attempts and the evidence.
3. Execution exactly as ordered. Once the judge signs, we send the documents through the method the order names — the specific platform and account, email address or number — and capture proof of transmission.
4. Affidavit of electronic service. Order date, method, account or address used, date and time sent, what was sent, and any delivery or read indicators — ready to file.

Pricing: from $125 for the evidence package and documented execution, after the regular attempts that came before it. Complex multi-platform orders are quoted up front.

Payment-first, no surprises: a human reviews every request before anything happens. Once it's approved you get a secure pay link — nothing starts until it's paid, and nothing is ever charged if we can't take the job. No invoicing, no payment plans.

Platforms and channels courts have authorized

The rule doesn't list platforms — it's about what will actually reach the defendant. Depending on the evidence, orders commonly name a specific email address, a Facebook or Instagram account by its profile link, a text-message number, or a combination (for example, email plus Facebook message, with a copy mailed to the last known address). Whatever the order says is exactly what we do — no more, no less — and the affidavit tracks the order's wording line by line so the return matches the authorization.

Typical timeline

Diligent attempts at the address (days) → due-diligence affidavit and evidence package (usually within 24 hours of the last attempt) → your motion and the judge's ruling (varies by court) → execution within one business day of receiving the signed order → affidavit of electronic service the same day.

When electronic service makes sense

• Defendant is clearly avoiding the address but active online.
• Defendant's physical address is unknown, but their accounts and email are current.
• Business owners who use one email for everything and never answer the door.

When it doesn't: if a cooperative defendant would simply meet you, serve by appointment ($60) is faster and cheaper — no motion needed.

Questions people ask

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