Service of process (initial service)
After filing your lawsuit, you must serve the documents on the other parties ("service of process"). Court rules about service of process for Superior Court cases or District Court cases apply.
Service of paperwork is a critical part of the legal action. Service is required to give the other party notice that you have filed a legal action, and to give the other party a chance to respond. Failure to provide valid proof of service may prevent you from finalizing your court action.
Service can be done in-person by someone who is 18 or older who is not a party in the case. You can search online for private process servers. The Clark County Sheriff's Office Civil Unit can serve legal documents throughout the county for a fee. There is no fee associated with service of protection orders.
Alternatives to personal service, such as serving by publication or mail, may be available.
Forms and instructions for service of process (initial service)
The Washington State Court has official mandatory pattern forms for service in family law cases that can be customized for other types of cases.
- How to Serve Paperwork in family court cases from the Family Court Facilitator
- Serve papers to start a new case from Washington LawHelp
- Serve papers in a protection order case from Washington LawHelp
- Serve by Certified Mail or Publication from Washington LawHelp
- Service of Process video from King County Law Library
- How to Serve the Other Party in a New Family Law Matter from Navigate Law Group
- Serve papers on the State because your case involves setting or changing child support and the children or either parent receives public assistance
- How do I serve the other party in prison or jail? from Navigate Law Group
- Service of process for certain situations, (e.g., a business) from the Washington Secretary of State
Service other than initial service of process
After the initial service of process, you may need to serve many other documents. This type of service is generally more informal than the initial service of process. However, specific rules may apply to particular types of documents you are serving so careful research into requirements is necessary. For example, if you are serving contempt of court papers in a family law case, personal service just as in initial service of process is required.
Court rules for Superior Court and for District Court provide additional information about service that may be helpful.
Forms and instructions for service other than initial service
The Washington State Court has official mandatory pattern forms for service in family law cases that can be customized for other types of cases.
- How to Serve Papers from Genesis Law Firm includes Section III called "How do I send documents that don't need to be personally served"
- Serve papers after a case starts from Washington LawHelp
Free eBook about representing yourself in court
How to find the eBook about representing yourself in court
Pages 169-170 pertain to serving (and filing) court documents