# Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.021: SERVICE ON CERTAIN NONCORPORATE BUSINESS AGENTS

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.021

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.021
- **Heading:** SERVICE ON CERTAIN NONCORPORATE BUSINESS AGENTS
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code cp / Chapter 17 / Section 17.021

## Text

(a) In an action against an individual, partnership, or unincorporated association that arises in a county in which the individual, partnership, or association has an office, place of business, or agency for transacting business in this state, citation or other civil process may be served on an agent or clerk employed in the office, place of business, or agency if:

(1) the action grows out of or is connected with the business transacted in this state; and

(2) the individual, partnership, or association:

(A) is not a resident of the county;

(B) is not a resident of this state; or

(C) is a resident of the county but has not been found for service of process.

(b) To serve process on an agent or clerk under Subsection (a)(2)(C), the officer making the return of unexecuted process must certify that after diligent search and inquiry the individual, partnership, or association cannot be found and served. The process in the suit may be served on the agent or clerk in any succeeding term of court.

(c) Service of process on an agent or clerk under this section has the effect of personal service on the principal individual, partnership, or unincorporated association and subjects the principal's nonexempt property to the jurisdiction and judgment of the court.

(d) If service is made under this section, a default judgment may not be rendered in the action before the 21st day after the date of service.

(e) Service of process under this section is in addition to other methods of service.

(f) This section does not affect venue.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.001 § 17.001. SUIT ON CONTRACT WITH SEVERAL OBLIGORS OR PARTIES CONDITIONALLY LIABLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.001.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.002 § 17.002. SUIT AGAINST ESTATE FOR LAND TITLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.002.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.003 § 17.003. SUIT AGAINST NONRESIDENT OR TRANSIENT PROPERTY OWNER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.003.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.004 § 17.004. SUIT AGAINST UNKNOWN HEIRS OR UNKNOWN STOCKHOLDERS OF DEFUNCT CORPORATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.004.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.005 § 17.005. SUIT AGAINST UNKNOWN LANDOWNER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.005.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.021 § 17.021. SERVICE ON CERTAIN NONCORPORATE BUSINESS AGENTS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.021.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.022 § 17.022. SERVICE ON PARTNERSHIP.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.022.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.023 § 17.023. SERVICE ON JOINT-STOCK ASSOCIATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.023.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.024 § 17.024. SERVICE ON POLITICAL SUBDIVISION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.024.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.025 § 17.025. ASSESSMENT OF POSTAGE COST FOR MAIL SERVICE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.025.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.026 § 17.026. SERVICE ON SECRETARY OF STATE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.026.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.027 § 17.027. PREPARATION AND SERVICE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.027.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.028 § 17.028. SERVICE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.028.md)
- [Tex. Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 17.029 § 17.029. SERVICE ON INMATE OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.029.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ccp_C17_S17.021. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.