• Process server laws vary from state to state and must be followed to the letter, or the recipient may be able to claim they were never served. The state of Washington has minimal laws governing process servers -- with no licensing requirements, insurance requirements or restrictions on what day or time you can serve a summons.
  
  

Registration Requirements

• A process server doesn't have to be licensed, but must be registered with the state of Washington. There is a $10 registration fee, and you must fill out a registration form, which can be found in the Resources section. You must be at least 18 years old and not related to the case for which you are serving the process in any direct or corporate manner.
  
  

Serving a Summons

• A summons must be served within 20 days of its issuance by the court, and although this can be changed due to the nature of the case, any changes must be noted on the summons. The summons itself must be signed and dated by the plaintiff or attorney. It must direct the defendant to defend herself or risk judgment being rendered against her by default.
  
  

Timing

• There are no provisions against a summons being served any time of day or night, seven days a week.
  
  

Where a Summons Can Be Served

• In the attempt to do their duty, process servers have a "limited exemption or affirmative defense against trespassing," according to Washington state statute. The statute goes on to say that "this defense applies only if the actor did not enter into a private residence or other building not open to the public and the entry onto the premises was reasonable and necessary for service of the legal process."