Western District of Texas

Civil

What is a "certificate of service"?

After a defendant has answered a complaint, any motions or other pleadings filed with the Court by either party must include a "certificate of service." A certificate of service is a statement of the date and manner in which you served a copy of your pleading, motion, or other documents on all other parties or their counsel of record. It is your responsibility to serve the opposing attorney or pro se party with a copy of any pleading, motion, or other documents that you submit to the Court for filing. The U.S. District Clerk's Office does not send copies of your submissions to other parties. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 5. A sample certificate of service follows:

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on this ______ day of ___________, 20___, a true and correct copy of the foregoing pleading was forwarded by (first class mail, hand-delivery, or certified mail) to ____________________, the attorney for __________________ (defendant) at the address of _______________________________.


____________________________
Your Signature and date