Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Service of Process

Service of Process - means the act of giving legal notice to a person. Usually, notice is furnished by delivering a set of court documents to the person to be served.

Foreign - means insurance companies that do business in Washington state but are not incorporated here.

Domestic - means insurance companies that are incorporated in Washington state.

Steps to serve a foreign insurer or agent/broker

What you do

You are required to go through the Office of the Insurance Commissioner 1 to submit a Service of Process. To do this, mail the items below to us:

  • Send 2 sets of all documents for each entity or person you are serving.
    • Example: If you are serving 1 agent submit 2 sets. If you are serving 2 agents, submit 4 sets = 2 agents X 2 sets.
  • We prefer 1 cover letter stating who is being served and a list of documents attached (i.e. summons, complaint, case schedule, etc.)
  • $10 per entity. We prefer, check or money order - payable to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
    • We do not accept credit cards at this time.
  • Acceptable means of delivery:
    • Certified mail with return receipt requested.
    • Registered mail.
    • A person able to serve a summons and be 18 years or older.
Mailing address:
Service of Process
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
PO Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255
Messenger delivery:
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
5000 Capitol Boulevard
Tumwater, WA 98501
Note: We cannot accept service delivery by fax or email.

1 The Insurance Commissioner can only accept service of process on foreign insurers, agent/brokers. See our helpful tips on how to serve domestic entities.

What our office will do

  • We will process and attempt to deliver your documents to the insurer or agent/broker within 2 business days.
  • After processing a Service of Process we will:
    • Send you one set of documents.
    • Send the insurer or agent/broker a Certificate of Service as proof that legal process was forwarded.
    • Send the attorney a Certificate of Service.
    • Keep a complete set of records for 6 years.

What the insurer or agent/broker will do

  • The insurer or agent/broker has 40 days before responding to a summons. This date starts as soon as the Insurance Commissioner accepts the documents and payment.

Questions about this process?

Email: pdr@oic.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 725-7001

See also

Helpful tips.

Laws (RCW).


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