General information
After filing your lawsuit, you must serve the documents on the other parties ("service of process"). Court rules about service 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 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.
Forms and instructions
- How to Serve Paperwork in family court cases from the Family Court Facilitator
- Serve the Other Party in a Family Law Case from Washington LawHelp
- Service 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
- Serving 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
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