Short answer
Usually a constable, sheriff or private process server hands you the citation and petition, or they're sent by certified mail. If those attempts fail, the court can allow other methods, such as leaving the papers with someone 16 or older at your home, or in some cases by email or social media.
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Updated November 2026. General information about Texas law, not legal advice for your case. Laws and court rules change; we review these answers regularly.