Washington process server—service of process in all 39 counties

Washington's baseline method for an individual is handing the summons and complaint directly to the defendant. Under RCW 4.28.080(14), a server delivers the papers to the defendant personally, wherever the defendant is found in the state. It produces the cleanest record of notice, and courts expect it before any substituted alternative comes into play.

RCW 4.28.080(14): "In all other cases, to the defendant personally, or 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." — RCW 4.28.080(14)

With ABC Legal: a vetted server makes the first attempt on your tier's timeline—as fast as 48 hours—and EvidenceChain™ records the GPS location and timestamp of the exact delivery moment.

When the defendant isn't personally available, RCW 4.28.080(14) lets the server leave a copy at the defendant's house of usual abode with a resident of suitable age and discretion. This abode substitute sits in the same clause as personal service and carries no statutory requirement of prior failed attempts—but the copy must be left at the dwelling itself, not a workplace.

RCW 4.28.080(14): "...or 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." — RCW 4.28.080(14)

With ABC Legal: courts only accept substituted service after documented diligence. Our app geotags and timestamps every attempt automatically, so your diligence record is built before you need it.

Washington has no ordinary certified-mail service on an individual. RCW 4.28.080(15) offers only a mail-based substitute, available where the defendant cannot with reasonable diligence be served under subsection (14). The server leaves a copy at the usual mailing address with a resident, proprietor, or agent of suitable age and discretion, then mails a first-class copy; service is complete on the tenth day after mailing.

RCW 4.28.080(15): "...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." Service is "deemed complete on the tenth day after the required mailing." — RCW 4.28.080(15)

With ABC Legal: we recommend personal service first—it starts deadlines immediately and never depends on the recipient cooperating.

When the defendant cannot be found within Washington, RCW 4.28.100 permits notice by newspaper publication—but only after the plaintiff files a supporting affidavit and only in the specific case types the statute lists, such as a defendant who left to avoid service or defraud creditors, a nonresident with in-state property, or certain family-law, property, and foreclosure actions. It is a true last resort.

RCW 4.28.100: "When the defendant cannot be found within the state, and upon the filing of an affidavit of the plaintiff, his or her agent, or attorney..." followed by nine enumerated categories in which publication is authorized. — RCW 4.28.100

With ABC Legal: our skip tracing team locates most "unfindable" defendants before you ever pay for publication—and if it truly comes to that, your ABC attempt history is the diligence evidence the motion needs.

A registered business entity is served through its registered agent. RCW 4.28.080(8) routes entity service to RCW 23.95.450, under which a represented entity is served by serving its registered agent. If the entity has no agent, or the agent can't be found with reasonable diligence, service shifts to certified mail at the principal office on file, and ultimately the secretary of state acts as agent.

RCW 23.95.450: "A represented entity may be served with any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law by serving its registered agent." RCW 4.28.080(8): service on a represented entity "may be made in accordance with RCW 23.95.450." — RCW 4.28.080(8); RCW 23.95.450

With ABC Legal: we verify the current registered agent against state records before dispatch, so the serve lands on the right desk the first time.

The correct recipient depends on the entity. RCW 4.28.080(1) directs county service to the county auditor (or, in office hours, the deputy auditor); subsection (2) directs a city or town to its mayor, city manager, or city clerk. To sue the State of Washington, RCW 4.92.020 requires service on the attorney general, or leaving the papers at that office with an assistant attorney general.

RCW 4.28.080(1): "...to the county auditor or, during normal office hours, to the deputy auditor..." (2): "...to the mayor, city manager, or, during normal office hours, to the mayor's or city manager's designated agent or the city clerk..." RCW 4.92.020: service "upon the attorney general, or by leaving the summons and complaint in the office of the attorney general with an assistant attorney general." — RCW 4.28.080(1)–(2); RCW 4.92.020

With ABC Legal: our servers handle city, county, and state entity serves routinely—and know exactly which office actually accepts them.