Washington Service of Process Rules
Washington
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
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
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.
