Service of Process in Texas: What Your Agent Does
By Texas State Registered Agent Editorial Team
Published 2026-10-10 · Modified 2026-10-10 · Last verified 2026-10-10
Why the registered agent receives papers
A registered agent provides the designated contact for service of process and other communications within the appointment. The Texas SOS describes a registered office as a street address where the agent can be personally served during normal business hours. It cannot be solely a mailbox or telephone-answering service.
Receiving a lawsuit is different from ordinary customer support. Do not disregard a document because it was addressed to an agent rather than directly to an owner.
Our service boundary
The existing official-mail policy and the selected plan govern document handling, notification and any included scanning or forwarding. Confirm your plan's delivery method and keep a working contact email on file. We do not add a universal hourly response guarantee in this guide or promise a forwarding entitlement not included in your service.
If you expect an urgent document, contact support using the details in your service records. Do not upload legal papers into a public chat or post confidential documents in a public review.
What you should do after notification
- Confirm you can access the complete document, including attachments.
- Preserve the document and any delivery information supplied.
- Promptly contact your attorney or insurer as appropriate.
- Determine the actual response deadline with qualified advice.
- Notify the agent if your email or authorized contact has changed.
Do not calculate a litigation deadline from a generic website summary. The agent is not your lawyer, does not appear in court for you and does not guarantee the outcome of a claim.
Keep the appointment current
An expired service plan or incorrect state record can interrupt reliable communication. A service purchase does not by itself change the public appointment. Use the Form 401 guide for a replacement and obtain the new agent's consent.
Sources and verification
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current official requirements and consult an attorney or CPA for advice about your situation.