Process Serving · Washington

Washington Process Server for Law Firms

Have summonses, complaints and other court papers served anywhere in Washington, ordered and tracked from one account. Below: who can serve papers in Washington, how service is made, the deadlines, the proof of service form and our prices.

Process serving through Legal Hub Group is for law firms, attorneys and their staff. Representing yourself? Our sister company Famous Legal Services handles serves for individuals.

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How it is done

How papers are served in Washington

Personal or abode service

Serving the defendant personally, or leaving a copy of the summons at the house of the defendant's usual abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there. RCW 4.28.080(14) ↗

Leaving papers, then mailing

Where the person cannot with reasonable diligence be served that way, the statute allows another method that includes leaving a copy at the usual abode and a required mailing; service is complete on the tenth day after the mailing. RCW 4.28.080(15) ↗

Who

Who can serve papers in Washington

Summons and process are served by the sheriff of the county where service is made or a deputy, or by any person over 18 who is competent to be a witness in the action, other than a party. Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(c) ↗

A person who serves legal process for a fee in Washington must be 18 or older, a Washington resident, and registered as a process server with the auditor of the county where they live or have their main place of business, with listed exceptions. RCW 18.180.010 ↗

Timelines

How fast, and the court's deadline

Our first-attempt promises:

  • Routine: First attempt within 3 business days.
  • Rush: First attempt within 24 hours.
  • Same-day: for papers that cannot wait.

Every attempt shows in your account as soon as the server logs it.

The court's deadline for service: If the complaint is filed before service, at least one defendant must be served personally (or publication begun) within ninety days after filing, or the action is treated as not commenced for tolling the statute of limitations. RCW 4.16.170 ↗

Proof

The proof of service in Washington

Affidavit of service. A sheriff or deputy proves service by a return endorsed on or attached to the summons; any other server by an affidavit of service endorsed on or attached to the summons. Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(g) ↗

Your server's proof is built from the field record of the serve.

Price

What a Washington serve costs

Per person served, shown before you submit. Subscription plans take up to 20% off every serve.

Routine

$170

First attempt within 3 business days.

Each additional defendant at the same address: $110.

Rush

$220

First attempt within 24 hours.

Same-day

$270

For papers that cannot wait.

Every state's rates are on the pricing page. Running a large docket? Ask for volume pricing.

Questions

Serving papers in Washington: questions

Do process servers need to register in Washington?

Yes, for anyone serving process for a fee: they must be 18 or older, live in Washington, and register with their county auditor, with listed exceptions (RCW 18.180.010).

Who can accept papers at the home in Washington?

Someone of suitable age and discretion who lives at the defendant's usual abode (RCW 4.28.080(14)).

How quickly must you serve after filing in Washington?

Within ninety days after filing the complaint, at least one defendant must be served, or the action is not treated as commenced for tolling the statute of limitations (RCW 4.16.170).

Keep reading

Guides to serving papers

Serving in another state? See process serving in every state.

General information, not legal advice. The rules above are the ones in force when we checked them (October 2026); the court and the cited rules control.

Serve papers in Washington today.

Create your free firm account, upload the papers and choose routine, rush or same-day.

Start a Washington Serve Prices in every state