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Serving divorce papers in Washington

After you file in Washington, your spouse must get the papers. This page covers who can deliver the papers, how your spouse can accept or waive service, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

The short answer

If you were served: Time to respond: 20 days after service (60 days if served outside Washington or in a jail or prison) If you are filing: Someone else (not you) must personally serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, or your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service.

Accept or waive service
Possible: your spouse signs a form
Law
WA Courts Summons FL Divorce 200 (09/2026); CR 4.1; RCW 4.28.180

Were you served in Washington?

Enter the day you got the papers (the summons and the petition). We show the deadline to answer.

The day the papers were handed to you or you signed for them.

Enter the date you were servedYour deadline appears when you enter the date.

How papers are served in Washington

  • Someone else (not you) must personally serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, or your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service.
  • Service by mail or publication needs court permission in some situations.

Law: WA Courts Summons FL Divorce 200 (09/2026); CR 4.1; RCW 4.28.180

Deadline to respond and default

20 days after service (60 days if served outside Washington or in a jail or prison)

If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.

Serving your spouse in Washington, step by step

  1. File your papers first

    File with the Superior Court in your county. Service comes after filing.

  2. Serve the papers

    Service by mail or publication needs court permission in some situations.

  3. Or have your spouse sign

    Someone else (not you) must personally serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, or your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service.

  4. File proof of service

    File the proof of service with the court.

  5. Watch the deadline

    20 days after service (60 days if served outside Washington or in a jail or prison)

  6. If there is no response

    If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.

Questions about serving divorce papers in Washington

How do you serve divorce papers in Washington?

Someone else (not you) must personally serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, or your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service. Service by mail or publication needs court permission in some situations.

Can my spouse accept or waive service in Washington?

Someone else (not you) must personally serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, or your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service.

How long does my spouse have to respond in Washington?

20 days after service (60 days if served outside Washington or in a jail or prison)

More about divorce in Washington

Serving papers in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.