Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.055 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026

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(1) When the landlord, after the exercise of due diligence, is unable to personally serve the summons on the tenant, the landlord may use the alternative means of service as follows:

(a) The summons and complaint shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises unlawfully held, not less than nine days from the return date stated in the summons; and

(b) Copies of the summons and complaint shall be deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, by both regular mail and certified mail directed to the tenant's or tenants' last known address not less than nine days from the return date stated in the summons.

(2) When service on the tenant or tenants is accomplished by this alternative procedure, the court's jurisdiction is limited to restoring possession of the premises to the landlord and no money judgment may be entered against the tenant or tenants until such time as jurisdiction over the tenant or tenants is obtained.

(3) Before the entry of any judgment or issuance of a writ of restitution due to the tenant's failure to appear, the landlord shall provide the court with a declaration from the person or persons who served the tenant that describes the service achieved, and if by alternative service pursuant to this section, that describes the efforts at personal service before alternative service was used and a declaration from the landlord stating his or her belief that the tenant cannot be found.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the exercise of due diligence is met if the landlord attempts personal service on the tenant at least three times over not less than two days and at different times of the day.

(5) This section shall apply to this chapter and chapter 59.20 RCW.

[ 2019 c 356 s 11; 1997 c 86 s 1; 1989 c 342 s 14.]

Notes:

Intent—2019 c 356: See note following RCW 59.12.030.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 12 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 2006–2025 · leading case: Negash v. Sawyer, 129 P.3d 824 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).

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Negash v. Sawyer, 129 P.3d 824 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 8× “Sawyer responded with a letter requesting that legal information be sent to the address subject to eviction. Sawyer did not appear at the subsequent show cause hearing and the court granted Negash's writ of restitution.”

Negash v. Sawyer, 131 Wash. App. 822 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 7× “— Landlord Elleni Negash served her tenant Charles Sawyer with an unlawful detainer summons and complaint pursuant to RCW 59.18.055, the alternative service provision of the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 1973, chapter 59.”

Stephanie Druxman v. Snowdon Assocs., Llc (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 8× “After five unsuccessful attempts to serve Druxman with an eviction summons and complaint by personal service, Snowdon obtained a superior court order authorizing alternative service of process by posting and mailing under RCW 59.18.055. This order authorized Snowdon to post and…”

Hous. Auth. Of City Of Seattle v. Stanley Maynor (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 3× “" Conclusion of law 1 stated, "This court has jurisdiction over the property but because of alternative service, does not have personal jurisdiction in this case." Conclusion of law 3 stated, in accordance with RCW 59.”

Sangha v. Keen (Wash. 2025). · cites it 2× “5 5 The tenant argues that regardless of the outcome on appeal, the landlord is not entitled to attorney fees because the unlawful detainer action was served by alternative service.”

James Merklinghaus v. Mike Bracken & Rita Spencer Aka Larita Spencer (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “The summons, on the other hand, requires that any written response be received by July 17, 2017.”

Christopher Walden, V. Keith Welch (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). “Walden tried to serve Welch with the summons and complaint personally, but after five unsuccessful attempts, Walden moved to allow alternative service under RCW 59.18.055. The court granted his motion.”

State v. City of Sunnyside (Wash. 2024). “The State has offered evidence that Sunnyside police officers forced people to leave their homes through extrajudicial evictions.”

Moore v. Johanknecht (W.D. Wash. 2019). “75 11 at 55-56 & 58-59); see also RCW 59.18.055 (authorizing posting on the premises 12 combined with mailing as an alternative when personal service could not be effected 13 through the exercise of due diligence); Laws of 2019, ch.”

The Lodges in West Yakima, LLC v. David Perez Ortiz (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “On appeal, now represented by counsel, David Perez Ortiz argues that The Lodges failed to comply with the due diligence requirements of RCW 59.18.055 and the notice requirements of RCW 59.”

HMD Enter., LLC v. Ross Carter (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “040 (“RCW 59.18.055 . . . [and RCW] 59.18.370 .”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.055(1)(b) — 1 case

Stephanie Druxman v. Snowdon Assocs., Llc (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “After five unsuccessful attempts to serve Druxman with an eviction summons and complaint by personal service, Snowdon obtained a superior court order authorizing alternative service of process by posting and mailing under RCW 59.18.055. This order authorized Snowdon to post and…”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.055(2) — 2 cases

Sangha v. Keen (Wash. 2025). “5 5 The tenant argues that regardless of the outcome on appeal, the landlord is not entitled to attorney fees because the unlawful detainer action was served by alternative service.”

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