Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12 § 59.12.080
Summons -- Contents -- Service.
Operative Text
The summons must state the names of the parties to the proceeding, the court in which the same is brought, the nature of the action, in concise terms, and the relief sought, and also the return day; and must notify the defendant to appear and answer within the time designated or that the relief sought will be taken against him or her. The summons must be directed to the defendant, and in case of summons by publication, be served at least five days before the return day designated therein. The summons must be served and returned in the same manner as summons in other actions is served and returned.
Washington's unlawful detainer statute, Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.080, sets out what a court summons in an eviction proceeding must contain and how it must be delivered. The summons must identify the parties, the court, the nature of the action, the relief sought, and the deadline by which the defendant must respond. It also establishes that when service is made by publication rather than personal delivery, it must occur at least five days before the return date, and that service and return procedures follow the same rules as other civil actions in Washington courts.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords initiating an unlawful detainer action under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.080 are generally expected to ensure that any summons issued in the proceeding is complete and properly served. A compliant summons names all parties, identifies the court, describes the nature of the action and relief sought, and states the return date. Operators typically work with a process server or the court to confirm that service is completed in the manner required by Washington civil procedure, including the five-day-before-return-date rule when publication is used.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.080, a tenant who receives a summons in an eviction proceeding has the right to appear and answer by the return date stated in that document. If the summons is missing required information—such as the parties' names, the court, the nature of the action, or the return date—or was not served in the manner the statute requires, those deficiencies may be relevant to the proceeding. Tenants who have questions about whether a summons they received meets the requirements of § 59.12.080 may wish to contact a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about their options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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