Short answer. Cases go to the Superior Court. At the hearing on the writ, the tenant may answer orally or in writing and raise any defense arising from the tenancy. Who carries out a lockout: sheriff.
At a glance
- Court
- Superior Court. Residential unlawful detainer cases are filed with the superior court clerk in the county; the clerk's fee statute sets a reduced filing fee for them.
"Clerks of superior courts shall collect the following fees for their official services:"
Source 5 - Filing fee
- $45 to start a residential unlawful detainer case in superior court, per the 2023 archive of RCW 36.18.020(2)(a); it doesn't cover a show-cause order or other orders except a default. Check the current RCW for later changes.
"for which the plaintiff shall pay a case initiating filing fee of $45"
Source 5 - Hearing after filing
- The court orders the tenant to appear at a show cause hearing set 7 to 30 days from the day the order is served (counted here from filing, the earliest it could be).
"which shall not be less than seven nor more than thirty days from the date of service of the order upon defendant"
Source 6 - Time to answer or appear
- At the hearing on the writ, the tenant may answer orally or in writing and raise any defense arising from the tenancy.
"may answer, orally or in writing, and assert any legal or equitable defense or set-off arising out of the tenancy"
Source 3 - Judgment to writ
- In a nonpayment judgment, execution waits five court days so the tenant can reinstate by paying.
"execution upon the judgment shall not occur until the expiration of five court days after the entry of the judgment."
Source 2 - Writ to lockout
- The sheriff serves the writ and can't execute it for three days after.
"shall not execute the same for three days thereafter"
Source 1 - Who carries out the lockout
- Sheriff. The sheriff serves and executes the writ of restitution.
"shall not execute the same for three days thereafter"
Source 1 - Paying to stop the case
- In a nonpayment case the tenant can reinstate the tenancy by paying the rent due plus costs and fees in the judgment within five court days.
"tender the amount stated within the judgment"
Source 2 - Right to counsel (statewide)
- Yes. Subject to state funding, the court must appoint a lawyer for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer case under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Local laws on the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel's list: Seattle (2021).
"Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the court must appoint an attorney"
Source 4 - Diversion or mediation (statewide)
- No statewide program in current law: the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (RCW 59.18.660), the pre-filing resolution step for unpaid rent, expired July 1, 2023, per the Legislature's disposition table. Some counties' dispute resolution centers still offer mediation.
"59.18.660 Eviction resolution pilot program. Expired July 1, 2023."
Source 7
Sample timeline: filed Monday, December 7, 2026
Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
- Answer or appear: Monday, December 14, 2026
- Hearing or trial: Monday, December 14, 2026
- Judgment: Monday, December 14, 2026
- Writ or warrant of possession: Monday, December 21, 2026
- Earliest lockout: Thursday, December 24, 2026
Another date: open the estimator.
Want us to handle it?
A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice.
Price: Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.
Help the official pages point to
- In a nonpayment case the tenant can reinstate the tenancy by paying the rent due plus costs and fees in the judgment within five court days.
- Subject to state funding, the court must appoint a lawyer for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer case under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.
Worth knowing
Court and filing fee are from RCW 36.18.020 as published in the Legislature's 2023 archive, and counsel from RCW 59.18.640; the hearing period is from RCW 59.18.370.
Official sources
- Revised Code of Washington 59.18.390 (checked November 2026)
- Revised Code of Washington 59.18.410 (checked November 2026)
- Revised Code of Washington 59.18.380 (checked November 2026)
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 59.18.640 (appointed counsel for indigent tenants) (checked November 2026)
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 36.18.020, clerk's fees (2023 RCW archive) (checked November 2026)
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 59.18.370 (checked November 2026)
- Washington State Legislature: Chapter 59.18 RCW Dispositions (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Not a court form. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
Common questions
Which court hears eviction cases in Washington?
Superior Court. Residential unlawful detainer cases are filed with the superior court clerk in the county; the clerk's fee statute sets a reduced filing fee for them.
How long does a tenant in Washington have to respond?
At the hearing on the writ, the tenant may answer orally or in writing and raise any defense arising from the tenancy.
How soon after filing is the Washington hearing?
The court orders the tenant to appear at a show cause hearing set 7 to 30 days from the day the order is served (counted here from filing, the earliest it could be). That's the statute's window; the court's own calendar decides the actual date.
When can a Washington landlord get the writ after winning?
In a nonpayment judgment, execution waits five court days so the tenant can reinstate by paying.
How long between the writ and a lockout in Washington?
The sheriff serves the writ and can't execute it for three days after.
Who carries out an eviction in Washington?
Sheriff. The sheriff serves and executes the writ of restitution. The officer acts on the court's order.
Can paying the rent stop a Washington eviction case?
In a nonpayment case the tenant can reinstate the tenancy by paying the rent due plus costs and fees in the judgment within five court days.
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