Harris County District Courts Service and Proof of Service Rules
37 rules from official source documents
17 of 37 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.
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.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
Notice of oral hearing must be served on all counsel and self-represented parties.
Once the clerk assigns a hearing date the party requesting the hearing must file a notice of oral hearing and serve it on all counsel and self-represented parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion
The movant must serve all defaulting parties with the motion, proposed judgment, and notice of the hearing/submission pursuant to TRCP 21(a).
Movant must serve all defaulting parties with the motion, proposed judgment, and notice of the hearing/submission pursuant to TRCP 21(a).
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
Deposition excerpts must be provided to opposing counsel the week before trial.
Deposition excerpts must be provided to opposing counsel the week before trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026CRITICAL
All parties must be served before a temporary injunction hearing proceeds.
All parties need to be served to go forward with the TI.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Default judgment
The Court will not hear default motions lacking a green card on file, proof of service of the notice of hearing, or the returned mail envelope or an approved substitution.
The court will NOT hear any default motions that does not have a green card on file, have proof of service of the notice of hearing, or have the returned mail envelope or any approved substitution.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
- Deadline
- 10 calendar days
- Service
- Mail to all parties
The movant must give defaulting parties and other appearing parties 10 days’ notice of the hearing and motion by regular and certified mail, and certify service.
The Court requires the movant to provide defaulting parties, as well as any other parties who have appeared in the case, with 10 days’ notice of the hearing and the default motion. Notice must be sent via regular and certified mail, and the movant must certify this action in a certificate of service.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
The movant must give all parties proper notice if an emergency hearing is granted.
If an emergency hearing is granted, the movant is responsible for providing proper notice of the hearing to all parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
The movant must provide proper written hearing notice to the Court and all parties.
It is the movant’s responsibility to provide proper written notice of the hearing to the Court and to all parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
- Deadline
- 10 calendar days
The submission docket is Monday at 8:00 a.m. and requires 10 days’ notice.
Submission docket is on Monday at 8:00 AM after 10 days’ notice.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
If a courtesy copy is marked or highlighted, the submitting party must give all other parties an identical copy.
If a courtesy copy contains highlighting or other markings, the submitting party must provide all other parties with an identical copy of what was provided to the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
- Deadline
- 10 calendar days
The movant must give defaulting parties and all other parties who appeared 10 days’ notice of the hearing and motion.
The Court requires the movant to provide defaulting parties, as well as any other parties who have appeared in the case, with 10 days’ notice of the hearing and the default motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
- Applies to
- Notice of Oral Hearing
After a hearing date is assigned, the requesting party must file and serve a Notice of Oral Hearing on all counsel and self-represented litigants.
Once a hearing date is assigned, the requesting party must file a Notice of Oral Hearing and serve it on all counsel and self-represented litigants.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Pleading
Every pleading filed must be served 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).
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
- Applies to
- Motion in limine
Parties must exchange specified documents at least one day before the pretrial hearing.
Exchange: Motions in Limine, Witness Lists, Exhibit Lists, Deposition Excerpts, and any Objections thereto at least one day prior to the pretrial hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026WARNING
Civil cases
Notice of submission must be served on all counsel and self-represented parties.
If you set a matter on the submission docket file a notice of submission with the exact title of the motion or motions set for consideration and serve it on all counsel and self-represented parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026WARNING
Civil cases
If a courtesy copy is marked, the party must provide an exact copy to all other parties.
If a party highlights or otherwise marks a document in a courtesy copy provided to the Court, that party shall provide all other parties to the litigation an exact copy of what was provided to the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026WARNING
Civil cases
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.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?
- Service
- Other to opposing 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).
Summary: Self-represented litigants must serve a copy of every pleading filed with the court on the opposing attorney or party.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?
- Deadline
- 5 calendar days ?
- Applies to
- Notice of hearing
- Service
- Court service to all parties ?
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.
Summary: 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.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Pleading
- Service
- Other to opposing 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).
Summary: Pro se litigants must send a copy of every pleading filed with the court to the opposing party or their attorney.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?
- Deadline
- 10 calendar days ?
- Service
- Mail to all parties ?
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.
Summary: 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 quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?
Court notice
- Applies to
- Pleading
- Service
- Other to opposing 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).
Summary: A copy of every pleading filed with the court must be sent to the opposing attorney or party.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.WARNING?
- Service
- Other ?
The parties shall exchange ALL exhibits prior to trial.
Summary: Parties must exchange all exhibits before trial.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.WARNING?
- Service
Service will be complete upon compliance with this Order regardless of whether Defendant signs the certified mail receipt.
Summary: Substituted service is complete upon compliance with the court's order even if the defendant does not sign the certified-mail receipt.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Service
- Electronic service to all parties ?
The party requesting the hearing must file a notice of oral hearing and serve it on all counsel and self-represented parties.
Summary: The party requesting an oral hearing must file and serve a notice of oral hearing on all counsel and self-represented parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Service
- Electronic service to all parties ?
Once your request has been approved by the court clerk, they will contact the original filing party with a hearing date, and that party must give notice to all parties of the hearing.
Summary: After approval, the original filing party must give notice of the hearing to all parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
Notice of the hearing for default judgment must be sent to the defaulting party after service of citation pursuant to Rule 21a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and - If there is a mortgage company that also holds a lien on the subject property, notice of the hearing for default judgment must be sent to the mortgage company.
Summary: For default judgments seeking foreclosure of a lien on real property, notice of the hearing must be sent to the defaulting party (per Rule 21a) and to any mortgage company holding a lien.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Applies to
- Notice of oral hearing
Once you obtain a hearing date from the e-Hearing system, file a notice of oral hearing and serve it on all counsels and/or pro se litigants.
Summary: After obtaining a hearing date through e-Hearing, file a notice of oral hearing and serve all counsel and self-represented litigants.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Deadline
- 10 calendar days ?
For most motions, the court requires 10 days’ notice to opposing counsel for an oral hearing, unless shortened by agreement of all parties.
Summary: Most oral hearings require 10 days’ notice to opposing counsel unless all parties agree to shorten the notice period.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
The Court requires at least five (5) days written notice (usually the Wednesday before the Monday hearing) to all parties, unless otherwise shortened by the Court, agreed to by all parties or the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure require different deadlines.
Summary: At least five days written notice of a hearing must be given to all parties, subject to exceptions.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
Written notice must also be provided to all parties identifying the specific documents delivered to the Court.
Summary: When courtesy materials are delivered, provide all parties written notice identifying the documents delivered.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Service
Notice must be sent via regular and certified mail, and the movant must certify this action in a certificate of service.
Summary: Send the default hearing and motion notice by regular and certified mail and certify service.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
The Clerk will provide a hearing date, and the requesting party must give notice of the hearing to all parties.
Summary: After the Clerk provides a hearing date, the requesting party must notify all parties of the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Applies to
- Notice of hearing ?
- Service
- Electronic service to all parties ?
Once the clerk assigns a hearing date the party requesting the hearing must file a notice of oral hearing and serve it on all counsel and self-represented parties. The hearing notice must state the exact title of the motion or motions to be heard.
Summary: After a hearing date is assigned, the requesting party must file and serve a notice of oral hearing stating the exact title of the motion(s).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Applies to
- Notice of submission
- Service
- Electronic service to all parties ?
The submission docket takes place Mondays at 8:00 a.m. with ten days notice. If you set a matter on the submission docket file a notice of submission with the exact title of the motion or motions set for consideration and serve it on all counsel and self-represented parties.
Summary: Submission docket is Mondays at 8:00 a.m. with ten days notice; file and serve a notice of submission with the exact title of the motion(s).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Applies to
- Trial notebook ?
- Service
- Electronic service to all parties ?
These documents must be exchanged prior to the pre-trial conference. The parties are ORDERED to confer with each other prior to the pre-trial conference to discuss these documents to determine if any agreements can be reached regarding limine, pre-admission of exhibits, deposition objections, and jury charge submissions.
Summary: Trial Notebook documents must be exchanged before the pretrial conference, and parties are ordered to confer to reach agreements on limine, exhibits, objections, and jury charges.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
Civil cases
You must notify the other side of your request.
Summary: Notify the opposing side when requesting a daily copy.
What rule applies to serving the opposing party in Harris County District Courts?
Judge Dawn Rogers: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party. Deposition excerpts must be provided to opposing counsel the week before trial.
Judge Beau A. Miller: 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. Machine summary, not yet verified; check the linked order.
Judge Erica R. Hughes: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party, timing: 10 calendar days before hearing. Most oral hearings require 10 days’ notice to opposing counsel unless all parties agree to shorten the notice period. Machine summary, not yet verified; check the linked order.
2 more rules answer this question in the list above.
What rule applies to serving all parties in Harris County District Courts?
Judge Nicole V. Perdue: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. If a courtesy copy is marked or highlighted, the submitting party must give all other parties an identical copy.
Judge Erica R. Hughes: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. The movant must give all parties proper notice if an emergency hearing is granted.
Judge Dedra Davis: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. All parties must be served before a temporary injunction hearing proceeds.
5 more rules answer this question in the list above.
What rule applies to service for notice of oral hearing in Harris County District Courts?
Judge Nicole V. Perdue: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. After a hearing date is assigned, the requesting party must file and serve a Notice of Oral Hearing on all counsel and self-represented litigants.
Judge Erica R. Hughes: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties, timing: after filing. After obtaining a hearing date through e-Hearing, file a notice of oral hearing and serve all counsel and self-represented litigants. Machine summary, not yet verified; check the linked order.
What rule applies to service for motion in Harris County District Courts?
Judge Christine Weems: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party. The movant must serve all defaulting parties with the motion, proposed judgment, and notice of the hearing/submission pursuant to TRCP 21(a).
What service or proof of service rules apply in Harris County District Courts?
Judge Beau A. Miller: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Notice of oral hearing must be served on all counsel and self-represented parties.
Judge Erica R. Hughes: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: timing: 10 calendar days before hearing. The submission docket is Monday at 8:00 a.m. and requires 10 days’ notice.
Judge Cheryl Elliott Thornton: The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. If a courtesy copy is marked, the party must provide an exact copy to all other parties.
3 more rules answer this question in the list above.
What rule applies to service by mail for all parties in Harris County District Courts?
Judge Erica R. Hughes: Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. Details: method: service by mail, recipient: all parties, timing: 10 calendar days before hearing. The movant must give defaulting parties and other appearing parties 10 days’ notice of the hearing and motion by regular and certified mail, and certify service.
Judge Lauren Reeder: 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. Machine summary, not yet verified; check the linked order.
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.