Process serving · Washington
How to serve small claims papers in Washington
Washington's Small Claims Department, District Court lists this method: Plaintiff cannot serve personally. Sheriff, process server, non-party adult 18+, or registered/certified mail with return receipt; service complete at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing (RCW 12.40.040; AG page). If that method lets you use a private process server or another adult, we can arrange a vetted local server in Washington, quoted per job and confirmed before any work starts.
Before you hire anyone in Washington, check whether the court serves the papers itself. Its own guide says:
| Court | Small Claims Department, District Court |
|---|---|
| Service | Plaintiff cannot serve personally. Sheriff, process server, non-party adult 18+, or registered/certified mail with return receipt; service complete at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing (RCW 12.40.040; AG page). |
| Where the case is filed | Generally the district court of the county where the defendant(s) reside (RCW 3.66.040; per WA Attorney General page). |
| Small claims limit | $10,000. RCW 12.40.010 (last amended 2019): $10,000 in cases brought by a natural person; $5,000 in all other cases (businesses and other entities). |
| Filing fees | filing fee: $35 |
| Who can file | Natural persons (up to $10,000) and other entities (up to $5,000). Corporations generally may not be represented by an attorney or legal paraprofessional, subject to RCW 12.40.025 exceptions. |
When we can help in Washington
Where Washington leaves delivery to the plaintiff, we line up a local server, pass along your deadline and send back the signed proof of service when it's done.
The full Washington small claims page, with limits and fees, is here.
Alabama · all states · serving someone in another state
If you represent yourself, you are responsible for your documents: what they say, that they are complete and signed, which court they go to and that they are filed on time. We are not lawyers, we do not give legal advice or draft pleadings, and we cannot guarantee any legal outcome. We file, serve or pull exactly what you send.
Sources
Before you send
- Send the papers to serve as a PDF, with every page in order.
- Give the best address, a description or photo of the person, and the times they're usually home.
- Up to three attempts at different times of day are included.
- You get a notarized affidavit of service once service is made.
- Rules on who may serve papers vary by state. The desk confirms them for your state before assigning a server.
Prefer to talk?
Call the desk and we'll take the request by phone.
Questions
Who serves small claims papers in Washington?
The court's guide says: Plaintiff cannot serve personally. Sheriff, process server, non-party adult 18+, or registered/certified mail with return receipt; service complete at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing (RCW 12.40.040; AG page).
What does a Washington serve cost?
Outside New Jersey every serve is quoted per job, because local server rates and travel differ. We confirm the price before any work starts.
Can you tell me if service was done correctly?
No. The Washington court decides whether service was proper. We send you the server's proof of service so you can file it.