When an entity's registered agent can't be found, or a nonresident did business in Texas without appointing one, Texas law can make the Secretary of State the agent for service. We prepare the packet, deliver it to the Secretary of State in Austin within 3 business days, and track the certificate of service until it comes back.
Service through the Secretary of State turns on the paperwork. A missing copy or the wrong forwarding address sends the packet back and costs you weeks. We check it before it goes in.
Per defendant, per forwarding address.
The Secretary of State charges a separate fee for each defendant and each forwarding address. Each one is a separate service.
Upload the citation, petition and the forwarding address for the defendant through our online request form.
We assemble the packet and deliver it to the Secretary of State in Austin within 3 business days.
The Secretary of State mails the papers to the defendant at the address you provide.
The certificate of service typically returns in 6–10 weeks. We send it to you as soon as it arrives.
Your attorney decides whether SOS service is right for the case. These are the two situations we see most often.
An entity's registered agent can't be served with reasonable diligence at its registered office (Texas Business Organizations Code §5.251). Our registered agent service often settles that question first.
A nonresident who did business in Texas without appointing an agent for service (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §17.044).
Registered agents, individuals and evasive defendants, across 176 Texas counties and all 50 states. See service of process
Encore has worked more than 45,000 orders since 2017. Every attempt is timestamped and GPS-stamped, every return is reviewed by a person before it goes out, and you never have to chase us for a status.
That depends on your court and your attorney's judgment, but most firms wait for the SOS certificate of service, which typically returns in 6–10 weeks.
No. The Secretary of State asks for two copies of the documents being served. We prepare them from what you upload.
The fee the Secretary of State charges to record the service, forward the papers and issue the certificate. We advance it and bill it with the service, with a 5% fee advance fee (minimum $2.50) for advancing the funds.
Yes. Each defendant and each forwarding address is a separate SOS service with its own fee.
Send the papers and the forwarding address. Questions first? Email support@encorelegalprocess.com.
Start an SOS request Prefer to talk? (800) 914-0365