What is substitute service in Houston?

Substitute service in Houston allows a process server to deliver legal documents through alternative methods when personal delivery fails. This must be approved by a court after documented attempts.

How do I get substitute service approved by the court?

To get substitute service approved, your process server must submit an affidavit detailing failed attempts and request court permission for alternative delivery methods like posting on the door.

How many attempts are required before requesting substitute service?

Typically, at least 2–4 failed attempts at different times and days are needed before filing a motion for substitute service in Houston courts.

What evidence is needed for substitute service?

Photo proof, timestamps, notes, and GPS coordinates are commonly used to prove attempts at service and support your motion for substitute service.

Can substitute service be done by posting papers on the door?

Yes, if the court authorizes it, posting documents on the defendant's door is a valid form of substitute service in Houston.

Is email or social media allowed for substitute service?

Only in rare cases and with court approval, substitute service via email or social media may be allowed under Texas rules.

What happens after substitute service is completed?

A Return of Service is filed, and the defendant is legally considered served. Legal timelines for court responses begin from that date.

Who can file the motion for substitute service?

A certified process server or attorney typically files the motion for substitute service with supporting documents and an affidavit.

Does Houston Process Servers offer stakeouts for evasive people?

Yes, Houston Process Servers, LLC offers stakeout services for hard-to-locate or evasive defendants as part of substitute service efforts.

How do I start the process with Houston Process Servers?

Use the contact form at https://processserversofhouston.com/contact-us to upload your documents and begin the service process. Email updates are sent after each attempt.

How to Get Substitute Service and Serve Someone Who Is Hiding

When someone refuses to answer the door, dodges calls, or even relocates to avoid being served legal documents, the question arises: how to get substitute service? In Houston, courts understand that evasive defendants exist, and Texas law provides alternative ways to ensure they are still held accountable.

This article by Houston Process Servers, LLC, walks you through the full process of substitute service—including when it’s allowed, how to request it, and how to successfully complete service on someone who’s hiding.

What Is Substitute Service?

Substitute service is a legal method of delivering court documents when traditional personal service is not possible. If multiple attempts to serve someone in person fail, a process server can petition the court to approve an alternative method, such as leaving the papers with someone else or posting them at the door.

How to get substitute service in Houston?

To get substitute service in Houston, a process server must make several documented attempts to serve the individual personally. If the defendant is avoiding service, the process server can file a motion with the court requesting alternative service methods, such as delivering the papers to someone at the residence or posting them at the door with photographic evidence. The court must approve the method before it becomes valid.

Evasive person hiding — © Houston Process Servers LLC. All rights reserved

Legal Grounds for Substitute Service in Texas

Under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 106, substitute service is permitted when:

Personal service has been attempted unsuccessfully multiple times
The process server provides an affidavit detailing each attempt
The server includes supporting evidence (photos, notes, timestamps)
The court grants approval for the alternative method

Once approved, the substitute service is just as legally binding as personal service.

Common Substitute Service Methods

Leaving papers with a responsible adult at the subject’s residence
Posting the documents to the door
Serving by certified mail to the defendant’s verified address
Electronic service, such as email or social media (with special court approval)

How Process Servers Identify Someone Avoiding Service of Process? — © Houston Process Servers LLC. All rights reserved

Step-by-Step: How to Get Substitute Service in Houston

Hire a Certified Process Server
- Choose a professional who knows how to document failed attempts
Make Several Attempts
- Try at different times of day and on multiple days (Houston Process Servers includes up to 4)
Document Everything
- Take photos, write time-stamped notes, record GPS coordinates if possible
File an Affidavit for Substitute Service
- Submit the documented attempts to the court along with a motion
Await Court Approval
- The judge will review and authorize alternate methods
Complete the Substitute Service
- Deliver the documents exactly as approved
File the Return of Service
- Submit proof that service was completed per court order

Personal vs. Substitute Service Comparison

Criteria	Personal Service	Substitute Service
Method	Direct hand-off to the defendant	Alternative method approved by the court
Attempts Required	At least 1	Typically, 4-6 failed attempts are needed first
Who Can Authorize	Automatically valid	The judge must authorize after a motion
Valid Proof of Service	Signed affidavit	Affidavit + evidence + court approval
Used When	Defendant is reachable	Defendant is hiding, avoiding, or unreachable

Why Choose Houston Process Servers, LLC?

We send updates after every attempt
Up to 4 attempts included
Court-compliant affidavits
Stakeout services available for evasive defendants
Licensed and certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC)
Trusted by law firms, agencies, and corporate clients

Need to serve someone who’s hiding? Use the contact form on our website to get started.

What Happens After Substitute Service?

Once documents are delivered via the approved substitute method, the following occurs:

Return of Service is filed with the court
The legal clock begins, such as deadlines to answer or appear
Defendant is considered “served,” even if they never accept the papers in hand

This ensures your case can move forward without unnecessary delays.

Tips for Better Results with Evasive Defendants

Always use certified and experienced process servers
Try weekends or early mornings for attempts
Provide alternate addresses, workplaces, or known hangouts
Use stakeout services when the defendant is highly evasive

Final Thoughts

Don’t let a hiding defendant stall your case. Houston Process Servers, LLC will help you navigate the complexities of substitute service with accuracy, professionalism, and speed.