Rules of civil procedure and service of process requirements for Washington.
Last updated October 22, 2026
Washington's rules for serving a summons are in the Superior Court Civil Rules, mainly CR 4, and in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), mainly chapter 4.28. Process servers who charge a fee must register under chapter 18.180 RCW.
The rules for serving businesses changed in 2025. A new law (chapter 40, Laws of 2025) replaced the old corporation rules in RCW 4.28.080 with a cross-reference to Washington's business organizations code. This page covers the rules as they stand now.
Disclaimer: Laws change, and this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Check the current text of the RCW and the Washington Court Rules, or ask an attorney before relying on it.
Washington process servers
Process-serving software: ServeManager
ServeManager is process-serving software used by agencies across Washington. It tracks every attempt with date, time, GPS and photos, and generates affidavits of service from the job, with room for the registration number and county that Washington requires on every proof.
Washington doesn't license process servers, but it does require registration. Under RCW 18.180.010, anyone who serves legal process for a fee in Washington must:
There's no exam, bond or insurance requirement in the statute. Registration must be renewed within a year, and within 10 days if your name, business name, business address or business phone number changes (RCW 18.180.020).
The residency and registration rules don't apply to sheriffs, deputies, marshals, constables and government employees on the job; attorneys and their staff who don't serve for a fee; court-appointed servers; people who aren't paid to serve; and licensed private investigators.
Registration matters for cost recovery. A party can't recover service costs for a server who was neither registered nor exempt, unless the server registers within 45 days after serving (RCW 18.180.040).
For a step-by-step guide, see Become a Process Server in Washington.
The summons and complaint are served together (CR 4(d)(1)). Washington also lets a case start with service before filing. If you serve first, the summons and complaint must be filed within 90 days of service (RCW 4.16.170).
The server delivers a copy to the person, or leaves a copy at the person's usual abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there (RCW 4.28.080).
If the person can't be served at home with reasonable diligence, the server can leave a copy at the person's usual mailing address with a resident, proprietor or agent of suitable age and discretion. The papers must then be mailed by first-class mail. Service is complete on the 10th day after mailing. A post office box or the person's workplace doesn't count as a usual mailing address.
A party outside the state can be served the same way as within it. For a Washington resident, or someone who has submitted to Washington's courts, it has the same effect as service in the state. The defendant has 60 days to respond (RCW 4.28.180). Service in another country can follow the methods in CR 4(i).
Publication is allowed only when the defendant can't be found in Washington and the case is one of the types listed in the statute, such as a defendant hiding to avoid service, a property case or a family law case. The plaintiff files an affidavit with the clerk and mails a copy to the defendant's residence if it's known (RCW 4.28.100). See What is service by publication?
When publication is allowed, the court can order service by mail instead if an affidavit shows mail is just as likely to give actual notice. The papers go by first-class mail and by a method requiring a signed receipt. The summons must give the defendant 90 days from mailing to answer (CR 4(d)(4)).
Look up registered agents and annual report addresses in the Secretary of State's Corporations and Charities Filing System.
Any suitable person over 18 can serve a subpoena. Give the person a copy, or leave a copy at their usual abode with a resident of suitable age and discretion (CR 45(b)(1)). Witness fees and mileage are set by statute (RCW 2.40.020 and RCW 5.56.010).
A subpoena for records only must be served on every party at least five days before it's served on the person who has the records, unless the parties agree or the court orders otherwise (CR 45(b)(2)).
A server other than a sheriff proves service with an affidavit of service, endorsed on or attached to the summons. It must state the time, place and manner of service (CR 4(g)). For service outside Washington, the affidavit must be sworn before a notary or a court clerk.
In place of an affidavit, you can sign a declaration "under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington," with the date and place of signing (GR 13).
A registered process server must list their registration number and county of registration on every proof they sign. A server who works for an agency lists the employer's number and county (RCW 18.180.030).
Find process servers and agencies across the state in the Washington process server directory.
This page is a general overview of Washington law, not legal advice. Laws change. Check the current code or talk to an attorney about your case.
Chat with our AI to book a process server near the recipient, get a price, or check on an order.