The cost of an eviction in Washington for all filing, court, and service fees can vary heavily based on service and execution fees. For cases filed in Superior Court, [ttip number=’1′ icon=’popover-balance’] the average cost is $120.
| Fee | Superior |
| Initial Court Filing | $45 |
| Summons Service | ~$20+ |
| Answer Filed (Optional) | $112 |
| Writ of Restitution Service | $25+ |
| Writ of Restitution Execution | $30+ |
These filing, court, and service fees do not include outside costs such as legal fees or post-eviction fees (i.e., locksmith fees, storage costs for a tenant’s abandoned property, cleaning service fees, repair costs, or advertising costs for a vacant dwelling unit).
1. Initial Court Filing Fee
In Washington, if the eviction notice expires and the tenant remains on the property without correcting the issue, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit (“Unlawful Detainer”) with the court the following business day.
The filing fee for an initial Unlawful Detainer is $45[ttip number=’2′ icon=’popover-balance’] which shall be paid to the court clerk.
2. Summons Service Fee
Once a Complaint is filed in Washington, the court will issue a Summons. The Summons is the tenant’s official notice of an eviction lawsuit and contains important information (i.e., when and where to appear in court). The landlord must arrange for a process server to deliver the Summons to the tenant.
The Summons service fee varies by process server. For example, a sheriff can charge $20, plus a mileage fee [ttip number=’3′ icon=’popover-balance’] for delivering a Summons; however, a registered private process server may charge more.
3. Answer Filing Fee
A Washington tenant can file a written Answer with the court as long as it is submitted on or before the court hearing. If the tenant serves or files an Answer, the landlord must pay a filing fee of $112. [ttip number=’4′ icon=’popover-balance’]
4. Writ of Restitution Service Fee
In Washington, if the court rules in favor of the landlord, the court shall issue a Writ of Restitution. The writ is the tenant’s final notice to vacate the premises.
A Washington sheriff must serve the Writ of Restitution to the tenant. They can charge a service fee of $25, plus mileage [ttip number=’5′ icon=’popover-balance’](without the aid of the county) or $40 plus $30 for each hour after the first hour (with the aid of the county). [ttip number=’6′ icon=’popover-balance’]
5. Writ of Restitution Execution Fee
In Washington, if a tenant remains at the premises after the writ expires, a sheriff shall execute the writ by removing the tenant from the premises.
They can charge $30 per hour [ttip number=’7′ icon=’popover-balance’] to execute the writ. Once the writ is executed, the sheriff shall legally restore possession of the property to the landlord.
Sources
- 1 WA Rev Code § 59.12.050 (2021)
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Jurisdiction of proceedings.
The superior court of the county in which the property or some part of it is situated shall have jurisdiction of proceedings under this chapter. - 2 WA Rev Code § 36.18.020 (2021)
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…in an unlawful detainer action under chapter 59.18 or 59.20 RCW for which the plaintiff shall pay a case initiating filing fee of forty-five dollars, or in proceedings filed under RCW 28A.225.030 alleging a violation of the compulsory attendance laws where the petitioner shall not pay a filing fee. The forty-five dollar filing fee under this subsection for an unlawful detainer action shall not include an order to show cause or any other order or judgment except a default order or default judgment in an unlawful detainer action.
- 3 WA Rev Code § 36.18.040 (2021)
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(1) Sheriffs shall collect the following fees for their official services:
(a) For service of each summons and complaint, notice and complaint, summons and petition, and notice of small claim on one defendant at any location, ten dollars, and on two or more defendants at the same residence, twelve dollars, besides mileage; - 4 WA Rev Code § 36.18.012 (2021)
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(4) If the defendant serves or files an answer to an unlawful detainer complaint under chapter 59.18 or 59.20 RCW, the plaintiff shall pay before proceeding with the unlawful detainer action one hundred twelve dollars.
- 5 WA Rev Code § 36.18.040 (2021)
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For serving writ of possession or restitution without aid of the county, besides mileage, twenty-five dollars; …
- 6 WA Rev Code § 36.18.040 (2021)
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(f) For serving writ of possession or restitution with aid of the county, besides mileage, forty dollars plus thirty dollars for each hour after one hour;
- 7 WA Rev Code § 36.18.040 (2021)
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…for executing any other writ or process in a civil action or proceeding, besides mileage, thirty dollars per hour;