Service by Social Media

"Service of process" is how you give someone notice of a lawsuit. Whenever you file a lawsuit, you must properly inform the person, people, or businesses that could be affected by your case that you have filed. This is called giving legal notice. It is not enough to send the other side a copy of the complaint, or to tell them verbally.

Yes, but only with the court's permission as a form of substitute service. You must convince the court that you do not know where the respondent lives or get a sworn statement from the constable that the respondent is hiding from service. Substituted service through social media is authorized under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 17.033.

No. You have to attempt personal service first (constable or private process server), or convince the judge that you cannot find a physical address to have the other side served with court papers. You do this by filing a motion and persuading the court to grant the motion and issue an order allowing it.

If service by constable or private process server has not worked, ask your judge if you can have someone served through an alternative method. See How to Serve the Initial Court Papers. If you can show the judge that service by social media will successfully notify the other party of the case, the judge may allow it. The bar is high to prove that social media is the best alternative method because of issues of privacy and ensuring the intended person actually received the notice.

Social media can also be helpful to build up proof that you know where the other party is located. If you can verify that the social media account is the other party’s account, the judge may use the proof that you have to allow service to a location that is indicated on social media.

Check with your court. Look at the court's web site to see its local rules and procedures. Talk to a lawyer who practices in your jurisdiction about it.