Service of Legal Process

It is the act of giving legal notice to a person. Notice is furnished by delivering a set of court documents to the person to be served.

Service of Legal Process against foreign and alien authorized entities (insurers, agents/brokers/producers) must be served to the Insurance Commissioner. The Insurance Commissioner cannot accept service of legal process for a domestic entity. Domestic companies may be served through an agent authorized by their company.

A foreign authorized company is formed under the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia, but in a state or territory other than Washington State.

An alien authorized company is formed under the laws of a nation other than the United States.

A domestic authorized company is formed under the laws of Washington State.

You may serve domestic insurance companies through an agent. The agent must be authorized by their company to solicit insurance within Washington State.

Please deliver us the following:

1. A cover letter stating the name of the person or entity being served and which documents are attached (example attachments: summons, complaint, case schedule, etc.).

2. Two sets of all documents for each entity or person you are serving.  Example: If you are serving one insurer, submit two sets. If you are serving two insurers, submit four sets of documents = two insurers X two sets.

3. $10 per entity being served.  Please pay by check or money order made payable to Office of Insurance Commissioner. 

You can use any of the following options:

• Certified mail with return receipt requested.

• Registered mail.

• A person competent to serve a summons who is 18 years or older.

Mailing Address

Messenger Delivery

Insurance Commissioner

Service of Process

PO Box 40257

Olympia, WA 98504-0257

Insurance Commissioner

Service of Process

5000 Capitol Blvd

Tumwater, WA 98501

Our goal is to process each Service of Legal Process within 3 business days, once we have received all the proper paperwork and payment.

Once we have processed the Service of Process we will:

• Send the Service of Process contact (as designated by the defendant insurer) a set of the documents and a Certificate of Service.

• Send the plaintiff’s attorney a copy of the Certificate of Service.

• Retain a complete set of records for six (6)years.

The defendant insurer or agent/broker/producer has 40 days to plead, answer or otherwise defend the action.  The time starts as soon as the Insurance Commissioner accepts the documents and payment.

You can email, or call our Service of Process Coordinator at (360) 725-7001.