Hiring a professional ensures that legal documents are served correctly and in compliance with all relevant state and local laws. Improper service can cause significant delays in a case or even have it thrown out of court. Professionals have the experience and knowledge to navigate complex situations, locate evasive individuals, and provide valid proof of service. 

Legal documents can be served to any person, corporation, partnership, or government entity named in a legal action. Each individual or entity listed in the suit must receive service separately. For businesses, papers are typically served to a registered agent. 

We serve a wide array of legal documents, including but not limited to: 

● Summons and complaints 

● Subpoenas 

● Writs and orders to show cause 

● Divorce and family law papers 

● Eviction notices

The standard procedure for service of process is as follows: 

1. Request service: You provide us with the legal documents and the address of the person to be served. 
2. Locate the individual: We use our resources and tools to verify the address and locate the person. 
3. Attempt service: We make multiple attempts to serve the documents according to local laws. 
4. Confirm service: Once the papers are delivered, we prepare an affidavit of service (or proof of service). 
5. Return affidavit: We provide the completed and notarized affidavit to you for filing with the court.

We are trained to handle difficult serves and to locate evasive individuals through techniques such as skip-tracing. If personal delivery is not possible, we can explore alternative service methods like substituted service or service by publication, with prior court approval.

A person cannot avoid being legally served by refusing to take the documents. In many jurisdictions, the papers can be left near them, and the refusal is noted on the proof of service. As long as the individual is identified and made aware they are being served, it is often considered valid service. 

Our pricing is based on several factors, including the type of service, the location, and the urgency. Standard service includes a set number of attempts. Additional fees may apply for rush service, same-day service, or skip-tracing if a new address is needed. 

Timelines vary depending on the service level chosen and the defendant's location. 

We offer several options: 

● Routine service: The first attempt is typically made within 3 business days. 

● Rush service: Accelerated service for more urgent deadlines. 

● Same-day service: For situations that require immediate attention. We will provide an estimated turnaround time when you place your order.

Yes. We ensure that all our process servers are compliant with state-specific regulations for licensing, registration, and certification. This guarantees that your service will be conducted legally and will hold up in court.

After service is completed, we will provide you with a notarized affidavit of service, which is a sworn statement detailing who, when, where, and how the documents were served. You will then need to file this document with the court. 

A person can typically be served at their home, workplace, or in a public place. However, local and state laws dictate the exact rules, and our servers are experts in navigating these regulations. 

● Personal service: Involves handing the legal documents directly to the named 

defendant. 

● Substituted service: Allows a process server to leave the documents with 

another competent resident of the household or at a business under specific 

conditions, as permitted by local laws. This is only used after due diligence has 

been made to serve the individual personally.

Washington state does not require a statewide license for process servers. However, an individual who serves process for a fee must be a Washington resident, be at least 18 years old, and register with the county auditor where they reside or have their principal place of business.

Yes. Counties like King County require process servers to register with the county clerk. Your process server registration will be handled by King County Records and Licensing Services (RALS), and your process server must list their registration number on any proof of service. 

While Washington law permits any person over 18 who is not a party to the case to serve papers, a professional process server offers significant advantages. They are experienced in locating hard-to-find individuals (skip-tracing), are knowledgeable about local rules and court-compliant procedures, and can handle difficult or hostile situations professionally. This helps prevent delays and costly complications from improper service. 

Washington law outlines several valid methods for service (RCW 4.28.080 and Civil Rule 4): 

● Personal service: The document is delivered directly to the individual being served. 

● Substituted service: The document is left with a competent individual over the age of 18 at the person's usual place of abode or business, followed by a copy mailed to the same address. 

● Service by mail: Certified mail with a return receipt is permitted in specific situations, but is generally not as reliable as personal service for establishing jurisdiction. 

● Service by publication: As a last resort, after diligent efforts to locate the person have failed, a court may allow service by publishing notice in a local newspaper. 

Yes, in Washington State, service can generally be made at a person's workplace. However, the process server must ensure it is done in a manner that does not disrupt business operations.

In Washington, legal documents can generally be served any day of the week and during reasonable hours, with some potential restrictions depending on specific court rules. A process server will be aware of these restrictions. 

A process server will complete and sign a sworn declaration known as an "Affidavit of Service" or "Proof of Service". This document attests to the details of the service, including the name of the person served, and the date, time, and location of the service. This affidavit is then filed with the court.

If a person evades service, your process server will document every attempt, including the dates and times. After showing diligent effort, your attorney can petition the court for an order allowing an alternative method of service, such as substitute service or service by publication.

Yes. We can serve defendants in Washington for cases filed in other states. We are familiar with the "long-arm" jurisdiction rules and can ensure that service is completed in a manner that is valid for the issuing court.

Yes, timing rules for serving legal documents in Washington depend on the type of document and case. The following Q&A can be added to your website.

In Washington, a process server can serve papers on any day of the week, including Sundays. Service can generally occur at any reasonable hour, which is typically considered to be between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.. However, a process server must follow specific legal rules and cannot harass or threaten the person being served.

Yes, for most civil lawsuits in Washington, the plaintiff generally has 90 days from the date of filing the summons and complaint to serve the defendant. This timeframe aligns with federal rules and is crucial for keeping the case active. Failure to serve within the 90 days could lead to the case being dismissed, though extensions can sometimes be granted for good cause.

Yes. In Washington, a petitioner has 60 days from the date of filing for divorce to serve the papers on their spouse. If this deadline is not met, the court may require the petitioner to appear and explain why the case should not be dismissed.

For documents filed during a case, like a motion or subpoena, specific timing rules apply to ensure the other party has enough time to respond or prepare.  

● Motions: Deadlines for motions vary by court, so it is important to check with the specific court's local rules. For example, local rules in King County may require a motion to be filed by noon six court days before the hearing. 

● Subpoenas for documents only: A subpoena that only requests documents must be served on each party at least five days before it is served on the person named in the subpoena. 

● Mailed documents: If a document is served by mail, an extra three days is added to the response time. The date of mailing does not count.

The legal date that service is considered complete depends on the method used: 

● Personal service: The date the person is served in person. 

● Service by mail: The 10th calendar day after the documents are mailed. 

● Service by publication: The date of the third consecutive weekly publication.

In Washington, a plaintiff begins a civil action by serving the defendant with a copy of a summons and a copy of the complaint. These two documents must always be served together.

According to CR 4(c), service can be performed by: 

● The county sheriff or their deputy. 

● Any person over 18 years of age who is a competent witness and is not a party 

to the action.  

Service can occur anywhere within Washington state, including a person's home, workplace, or a public place. A process server is generally permitted to be on private property for the purpose of serving documents, but they must do so within reasonable hours and without breaching the peace.

 Washington law (RCW 4.28.080) prioritizes personal service but also allows for substituted service if personal service is not reasonably possible:  

● Personal service: The summons and complaint are personally delivered to the defendant. 

● Substituted service (abode service): The documents can be left at the defendant's "usual abode" with a person of suitable age and discretion who is a resident there. The process server must also mail a copy by first-class mail to the defendant's usual mailing address. 

Yes. Service can be made at a person's workplace, but it must be done in a way that doesn't disrupt business operations. For corporations, service may be directed to a managing agent, not necessarily the employee being sued.

Service by publication is generally used as a last resort when the defendant cannot be found after diligent efforts. A court order is required to authorize this method, which typically involves publishing notice in a newspaper for a set period. 

To serve a Washington corporation, the process server must deliver the summons and complaint to one of the following people, as specified in RCW 4.28.080(9):  

● The registered agent. 

● The president or other head of the company. 

● The corporate secretary or cashier. 

● A managing agent. 

To serve a minor in Washington, a process server must deliver a copy of the summons and complaint to the minor and also to the minor's parent or legal guardian. A minor's parent or guardian may not accept service on the minor's behalf in family law cases.

After service is completed, the process server must execute a sworn statement called an "Affidavit of Service" or "Proof of Service". This document contains details of the service, including the date, time, location, and method used. The plaintiff then files this affidavit with the court to legally prove that the defendant was properly notified of the lawsuit.

A process server is a neutral, third-party professional who delivers legal documents to individuals or businesses involved in a court case. This formal delivery, known as "service of process," ensures that all parties receive proper notice of legal action against them, upholding the legal principle of due process.