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Washington Rules of Civil Procedure
Because the rules of civil procedure
may change from time to time, please
check the
Washington Courts website
for updated and complete rules of civil procedure
in Washington.
Rules of Civil Procedure in
Washington:
Rule 4
Process
(a) Summons--Issuance.
- The summons must be signed
and dated by the plaintiff or
his attorney, and directed to
the defendant requiring him to
defend the action and to serve a
copy of his appearance or
defense on the person whose name
is signed on the summons.
- Unless a statute or rule
provides for a different time
requirement, the summons shall
require the defendant to serve a
copy of his defense within 20
days after the service of
summons, exclusive of the day of
service. If a statute or rule
other than this rule provides
for a different time to serve a
defense, that time shall be
stated in the summons.
- A notice of appearance, if
made, shall be in writing, shall
be signed by the defendant or
his attorney, and shall be
served upon the person whose
name is signed on the summons.
In condemnation cases a notice
of appearance only shall be
served on the person whose name
is signed on the petition.
- No summons is necessary for
a counterclaim or cross claim
for any person who previously
has been made a party.
Counterclaims and cross claims
against an existing party may be
served as provided in rule 5.
(b) Summons.
- Contents. The summons for
personal service shall contain:
- the title of the cause,
specifying the name of the court
in which the action is brought,
the name of the county
designated by the plaintiff as
the place of trial, and the
names of the parties to the
action, plaintiff and defendant;
- a direction to the defendant
summoning him to serve a copy of
his defense within a time stated
in the summons;
- a notice that, in case of
failure so to do, judgment will
be rendered against him by
default. It shall be signed and
dated by the plaintiff, or his
attorney, with the addition of
his post office address, at
which the papers in the action
may be served on him by mail.
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warrant the accuracy of these rules of civil procedure or laws. The rules of civil procedure or laws listed on
CivilProcedure.info are only a
starting point for reference, and
are not meant to be legal advice or
a replacement for legal console.
Please consult a process server in
your area, county, or state if you
have any questions about process
service there.
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