Washington Service of Process Rules

Washington

State Serve Rules
State Serve Rules

Affidavit

Notary
Not Required
Refusal service
Yes, state defines as "refusal" on the affidavit

Mailing

Mail for corporate substitute service
Not Required
Mail for substitue service
Required

Minors, Incapacitated, and Jail

Incapacitated individuals + care/custody
Must serve care/custody
Jail Care Custody Service
Facility-specific policy
Jail Personal Service
Yes, state requires service directly on the incarcerated person
Service to a minor
13, individual and parent/guardian

Proof Specialists

Mirrors Fed Rules
No
M&O
Not required for service

Substitute Service Rules - Business / Entity

Corporate subservice at a residence
Not Permissible
Government substitute service
Yes, may serve a designated employee
Service of Corporate Person in charge
Yes, may serve person in charge or any employee
Workplace substitute service
Not Permissible

Substitute Service Rules - Individuals

Due diligence prior to substitute service
Not Required
Minimum age for substitute service
Suitable age and discretion
Residential substitute service
Permissible
Spousal Service
Not Permissible
Subpoena Personal Service Only?
Subserve to a co-resident permissible
Substitute serve by posting (Nail & Mail)
Not permissible, must serve documents

When and where can you serve?

Endorcing the Summons prior to serving
Not required
Serve at a nursing home
Client policy
Sunday Service
Permissible

Eviction Summons Rules
Eviction Summons Rules

Mailing

Certified Mail
No
Mail always?
No
Mail if posted
Required
Mail if subserve
Yes
Mail SLA
14

Posting Rules

Due Diligence Prior to Posting
Required
Posting
y

Eviction Posting Rules
Eviction Posting Rules

Additional Rules

Additional rules - TM
1) Personal/Sub 2) 1st Class

Affidavit

Notary for Notice
Not required

Mailing

Certified Mail
No
Mail always?
Yes
Mail SLA
14

Proof Specialists

Server/Marshal Required?
Server
**By Whom Served.** Service of summons and process shall be by any person over 18 years of age who is competent to be a witness in the action, other than a party. Subpoenas may be served as provided in Rule 45.
**Personal Service, Individuals.** Service made in the modes provided in this section shall be held to be personal service. The summons shall be served by delivering a copy, as follows: ...to the defendant personally.
**Substituted.** By leaving a copy of the summons at the house of his or her usual abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then resident therein. By leaving a copy at his or her usual mailing address with a person of suitable age and discretion who is a resident, proprietor, or agent thereof, and by thereafter mailing a copy by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the person to be served at his or her usual mailing address. For the purposes of this subsection, “usual mailing address” shall not include a United States postal service post office box or the person’s place of employment.
**Corporations.** If the suit be against a company or corporation other than those designated in the preceding subdivisions of this section, to the president or other head of the company…, the registered agent, secretary, cashier or managing agent, or to the secretary, stenographer or office assistant of the president or other head of the company. (15)
**Subpoena.** A subpoena may be served by any suitable person over 18 years of age, by exhibiting and reading it to the witness, or by giving him a copy, or by leaving such copy at the place of his abode. When service is made by any other person than an officer authorized to serve process, proof of service shall be made by affidavit.
**Return of Service.** Proof of service shall be as follows: If served by any other person, his affidavit of served endorsed upon or attached to the summons; or in case of personal service out of state, the affidavit of the person making the service, sworn to before a notary public, with a seal attached, or before a clerk of a court of record.

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