State Law

 

RCW 18.180.010 - Requirements for Process Servers — Exceptions

(1) Unless specified otherwise in subsection (2) of this section, anyone serving legal process for a fee in Washington State must meet the following criteria:

  • (a) Be at least eighteen years old;
  • (b) Be a Washington State resident; and
  • (c) Register as a process server with the county auditor in the county where they live or maintain their principal place of business.

(2) The requirements in subsection (1)(b) and (c) do not apply to the following individuals:

  • (a) Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, marshals, constables, or government employees acting within the scope of their employment;
  • (b) Attorneys or their employees, provided they are not serving process for a fee;
  • (c) Court-appointed individuals serving court process;
  • (d) Individuals serving process without receiving a fee or wage;
  • (e) Licensed private investigators under chapter 18.165 RCW.

[2014 c 203 s 1; 2010 c 108 s 1]

RCW 18.180.030 - Identification of Process Server on Proof of Service

(1) A process server who is required to register under RCW 18.180.010 must include their registration number and county of registration on any proof of service they sign.

(2) Employees of a registered process server must include their employer's registration number and county of registration on any proof of service they sign. [1992 c 125 s 4]

RCW 18.180.035 - Fees — Limitations

(1) Process servers required to register under RCW 18.180.010(1), or exempt under RCW 18.180.010(2)(a), (c), or (d), may charge the following fees for service in civil actions, suits, or proceedings:

  • (a) For fees up to $100: The actual amount charged to the party for the service.
  • (b) For fees exceeding $100: A reasonable amount charged to the party for the service.

(2) Any fees permitted under this section and actually charged by the process server will be considered a reasonable cost. These fees may be awarded to and recovered by the party incurring them if that party prevails in an action. [2007 c 121 s 2]

*Note: RCW 18.180.010 was amended in 2010 (c 108 s 1), removing subsection (2)(d).

RCW 18.180.020 - Registration Renewal

Process servers required to register under RCW 18.180.010 must renew their registration within one year of the initial registration date or upon any of the following changes, whichever occurs first:

  • Change in name;
  • Change in business name;
  • Change in business address; or
  • Change in business telephone number.

If renewal is due to any change in identifying information, the process server must renew within ten days of the change. A renewal fee applies at the time of registration renewal. [1992 c 125 s 3]

RCW 18.180.040 - Collection of Costs of Service — Application

(1) Except as specified in subsection (2), individuals entitled to collect service of process costs may only do so if the process server is registered or exempt from registration under this chapter.

(2) Costs may still be collected if the process server registers within 45 days of serving the process.

(3) This provision applies to all process served on or after August 1, 1992. [1992 c 125 s 5]