What the Supreme Court of Texas Order (Misc. Docket No. 26-9067) Means for Your Certification, Application, and Renewal Clearance.
The New Requirement
If you’re applying for Texas process server certification — or renewing the certification you already hold — there is a brand-new mandatory requirement you cannot skip.
On September 4, 2026, the Supreme Court of Texas issued final approval for amendments to Rule 3 of the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) Rules (Misc. Docket No. 26-9067). Effective October 1, 2026, anyone seeking a JBCC license, certification, or registration — or renewing an existing one — must prove they are authorized to work lawfully in the United States.
That explicitly includes certified process servers across the state of Texas.
Completing your 7-hour orientation or 8-hour continuing education course and passing your fingerprint background check are still mandatory — but your certification application or renewal will freeze until this separate work authorization upload is verified by the JBCC.
Who Does This Affect?
This requirement applies universally to all individuals seeking a license, certification, or registration issued by the JBCC — as well as anyone renewing an active credential.
For Texas process servers, this covers three distinct groups:
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New Applicants: Individuals completing their initial 7-hour orientation and submitting their first certification file.
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Current Certified Process Servers: Existing certificate holders renewing their credential during their standard renewal window.
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Pending Applications: Anyone with an initial or renewal application that was submitted prior to October 1, 2026, but had not received final approval before the effective date.
If you work in a JBCC-regulated profession, compliance is mandatory. Skipping this upload is not an option; without it, the Commission cannot legally approve your certification.
How to Upload Your Documents
Documents must be submitted directly to the JBCC’s dedicated secure document portal (which is separate from the standard certification application portal):
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One-Time Code
Check your email for a secure 1-time passcode. Enter the code into the prompt. (Check spam/junk folders if delayed).
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Submit Documents
Fill out the requested identification fields and upload legible scans or photos of your verified documents.
If you see a portal error stating that you are not on the authorized access list, do not worry. Email the Process Server Certification Department at [email protected]. A certification specialist will update your profile access.
Acceptable Documents Breakdown
The JBCC aligns with standard federal employment verification frameworks (similar to Form I-9 acceptable documents). You must upload either ONE document from List A OR a combination of ONE from List B (Identity) AND ONE from List C (Work Authorization).
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U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card (Unexpired)
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Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card") — Expiration must extend past your certification renewal date.
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Foreign Passport with Temporary I-551 Stamp or endorsement
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Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) — Must be valid past renewal period.
List B — Establishes Identity (Select 1):
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U.S. State Driver’s License (with photograph and personal details)
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State-issued Identification Card (with photograph)
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Government-issued Photo ID (Federal, State, or Local)
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U.S. Military Card or Military Dependent’s ID
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Native American Tribal Document
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School ID Card with photograph
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Voter Registration Card
List C — Establishes Work Authorization (Select 1):
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Official U.S. Birth Certificate (bearing official state/county seal)
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Social Security Card (unrestricted; card must NOT state "Not Valid for Employment")
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State Department Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240 / DS-1350)
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USCIS / Department of Homeland Security Employment Authorization Document
Permanent Eligibility Docs (e.g., U.S. Passport, or Driver’s License + U.S. Birth Certificate) generally only require a one-time upload.
Temporary Eligibility Docs (e.g., Green Cards or EAD cards) must have an expiration date extending past your certification period and must be re-submitted at each renewal.
Critical Pitfalls to Avoid
To keep your process server application moving without delays, watch out for these common errors identified by legal education specialists:
Pitfall 1
Soon-to-Expire Docs
Uploading a Green Card or EAD that expires before your 2-year process server certification cycle finishes will cause a certification freeze.
Pitfall 2
Restricted SS Cards
Social Security cards stamped "Not Valid for Employment" or "Valid Only With DHS Authorization" do NOT qualify under List C.
Pitfall 3
Confusing Citizenship
The rule requires Work Authorization, not U.S. Citizenship. Non-citizen legal residents with valid work authorization qualify fully.
Pitfall 4
Employer I-9 & Site Confusion
This JBCC state regulatory upload is separate from employer Form I-9s. Be sure to upload only at JBCCDocs.txcourts.gov.
Official Links & Authority Contacts
Always reference official Judicial Branch Certification Commission portals for direct regulatory verification:
