Washington Form FL All Family 130 is the official Summons used in family law cases, and every petitioner who files for divorce, legal separation, parenting plan modification, third-party custody, or domestic partnership dissolution must serve this form on the other party along with the Petition. The form is published by the Washington Courts under the mandatory family law forms set, and the current version carries a revision date of 08/2024, which you should confirm before printing.
If you skip this Summons, fill it out incorrectly, or fail to serve it within Washington’s time limits, the court can refuse your case or grant your spouse a default judgment that locks in terms you never agreed to. Roughly 70,000 dissolution cases are filed each year in Washington’s superior courts, and clerks reject thousands of filings each year for missing or defective Summons paperwork, according to data published by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📄 What FL All Family 130 is, who must file it, and which statutes require it
- 🗂️ Every document and detail you need before you open the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every field, box, and signature block
- 👨👩👧 Three full named-filer scenarios with completed-form tables
- ⚖️ Deadlines, fees, service rules, and the consequences of mistakes
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form FL All Family 130 is the Summons: Notice About a Marriage or Domestic Partnership (and its sibling versions for parentage, custody, and modifications). It is the legal notice that tells the Respondent a family law case has been started against them, what they must do to respond, and the deadline for responding. The form is required by Civil Rule 4 of the Washington Superior Court Civil Rules and by RCW 4.28.080, which together set the content and service requirements for civil summonses in the state.
You must file and serve FL All Family 130 if you are the Petitioner in any of the following Washington family law actions: a divorce (dissolution of marriage), a legal separation, an annulment (declaration of invalidity), a domestic partnership dissolution, a major parenting plan modification, a child support modification, a non-parent custody petition, or a parentage action. Each case type uses a slightly different version of the 130 series, but they share the same structure.
The petitioner files the form together with the Petition (FL Divorce 101, FL Parentage 301, etc.), and the Summons is then served on the respondent. Filing without serving the Summons does not start the response clock, and serving without filing does not give the court jurisdiction. Both steps must happen, and the order matters in every county.
The agency that receives the form is the Superior Court Clerk of the county where you file, not a state agency. Each of Washington’s 39 counties has its own clerk, and many—including King County, Pierce County, and Spokane County—now require electronic filing through the state’s Odyssey eFiling portal.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Before you open the Summons, gather everything below. Missing even one item often forces you to refile or reserve the form, which restarts the clock and can cost another filing fee.
- Full legal names of both parties. The Summons must match the Petition exactly. A typo on either side voids service.
- Current mailing address of the respondent. You need a physical address for personal service; a P.O. box alone will not work for a process server.
- County of filing. Pick the correct county under RCW 26.09.010; usually where either spouse lives.
- Case number. If the case is new, the clerk assigns one at filing; if you are amending, use the existing number.
- Date the Petition is filed. This date drives the 20-day or 60-day response window written into the Summons.
- Names and birth years of any minor children. Required if the case involves a parenting plan or child support.
- Petitioner’s mailing address or attorney’s address. This is where the respondent sends their Response.
- Filing fee or fee waiver application. The dissolution filing fee in Washington is $314 in most counties, plus a small county technology surcharge.
- Companion forms. The Summons rarely travels alone; you also need FL Divorce 101 Petition, the FL All Family 001 Confidential Information Form, and a proposed parenting plan if children are involved.
- A process server or sheriff’s contact. You cannot serve the Summons yourself; under CR 4(c), a non-party adult must serve it.
If any item is missing, the clerk may still accept the filing, but the respondent’s lawyer will likely move to quash service later, and you will lose months of progress.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, current FL All Family 130 lives on the Washington Courts forms library, which you can reach through the family law forms page. Always pull the form fresh from this page rather than reusing an old copy, because Washington updates its mandatory forms on a rolling basis and clerks reject obsolete revisions.
The form is published in three formats: a fillable PDF, a Word document, and a plain PDF for handwriting. Most pro se filers prefer the fillable PDF because it auto-formats dates and produces typed text the clerk can read clearly. If you plan to e-file, you must save the completed form as a flattened PDF before uploading to the Odyssey eFiling portal.
You can also pick up paper copies at any county clerk’s office, at courthouse facilitator offices (free help for self-represented parties), or through the free legal aid site WashingtonLawHelp.org. The facilitator program, authorized under GR 27, exists in nearly every county and is the single best resource for filers who do not have a lawyer.
The form itself is two pages long, but it interacts with at least four other mandatory forms, so allow yourself an afternoon to complete the full packet rather than just the Summons in isolation.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FL All Family 130 Line by Line
The Summons has a caption block at the top, a notice body, a list of restraining-order warnings, a signature block, and a service-of-process section. Work through them in the order they appear on the form, and never skip a field, even one that looks optional.
Caption: County and Superior Court
What the field asks in plain English. The very top line asks which Washington Superior Court the case belongs to. Print the county name in all caps.
How to answer it. Write the county where you or your spouse have lived for the required residency period, then the words “Superior Court of Washington.”
Example entry. “Superior Court of Washington, County of King.”
Nuance. If both spouses live in different Washington counties, you can file in either; if the respondent lives out of state, file in the county where you live.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers sometimes write a district or municipal court name. Family law cases belong only to Superior Court, and a wrong court name causes immediate rejection at the clerk’s window.
Misconception. People assume they must file in the county where they were married. Washington law cares about current residence, not the wedding location.
Petitioner’s Full Legal Name
What the field asks in plain English. Enter the full legal name of the person starting the case.
How to answer it. Use first, middle, and last name as they appear on a state ID. Capitalize the surname only if you are following the form’s printed format.
Example entry. “Maria Elena Lopez.”
Nuance. If the petitioner has changed their name through marriage but never updated their ID, use the name on the current ID and request the name change inside the Petition (FL Divorce 101).
Common mistake and consequence. Using a nickname like “Liz” instead of “Elizabeth” causes the Summons to mismatch the Petition, and the respondent can later claim defective service.
Misconception. Filers think they must list a maiden name if they want it back. The Petition restores the maiden name; the Summons just needs the current legal name.
Respondent’s Full Legal Name
What the field asks in plain English. Enter the full legal name of the spouse, partner, or other party being served.
How to answer it. Match the respondent’s name to a government-issued ID, marriage certificate, or birth record.
Example entry. “David James Lopez.”
Nuance. If you do not know the respondent’s middle name, write “(unknown middle name)” rather than guessing.
Common mistake and consequence. Spelling the respondent’s name wrong gives them grounds to file a motion to dismiss for insufficient service of process under CR 12(b)(5).
Misconception. Some petitioners think they can use just initials for privacy. The Summons is a public record, and the law requires full names.
Case Number
What the field asks in plain English. The court’s unique number for this case.
How to answer it. Leave the box blank if this is a brand-new filing; the clerk stamps the case number on at intake. If your case already has a number (modification, reopened case), enter it exactly, including the dash and check digit (e.g., 24-3-04567-1 KNT).
Example entry. “24-3-04567-1 KNT.”
Nuance. In counties like King, the trailing letters indicate the courthouse (KNT for Kent, SEA for Seattle), and using the wrong code can route your filing to the wrong location.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers copy a case number from a prior matter (an old protection order, a parentage case). The clerk treats the new filing as a duplicate and may consolidate or reject it.
Misconception. People think Washington case numbers are random. They follow a pattern: year, case-type code (3 = domestic relations), sequence number, check digit.
Notice to the Respondent
What the field asks in plain English. This is a pre-printed paragraph telling the respondent that a Petition has been filed and that they must respond. You normally do not edit it.
How to answer it. Read it once to confirm it matches your case type. If you grabbed the divorce version when you needed the parentage version, you must restart with the correct form.
Example entry. Pre-printed text begins, “Your spouse has asked the court to…” — leave it as printed.
Nuance. If you are filing for legal separation rather than divorce, use the same FL All Family 130 but check the matching box inside the Petition; the Summons text remains the same.
Common mistake and consequence. Editing the pre-printed notice (even fixing what looks like a typo) makes the form non-compliant with GR 14, and the clerk will reject it.
Misconception. Filers think they can add custom warnings (“you’d better not move the kids”). Custom language belongs in a separate motion, never the Summons.
Deadline to Respond (20-Day vs. 60-Day Box)
What the field asks in plain English. The Summons gives the respondent a deadline. You must check the right box: 20 days if the respondent is served in Washington, 60 days if served outside the state or by publication.
How to answer it. Check only one box. Default to 20 days if you know the respondent lives in Washington. Choose 60 days if they live in another state, country, or you are serving by publication under RCW 4.28.100.
Example entry. “☒ 20 days” for an in-state respondent.
Nuance. Active-duty military respondents stationed overseas get 60 days at minimum, plus protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers check both boxes “to be safe.” That ambiguity is grounds for the respondent to argue the deadline was unclear and ask the court to set aside any default.
Misconception. People believe the clock starts when the Petition is filed. It actually starts the day the respondent is served.
Petitioner’s Address for Service of Response
What the field asks in plain English. Where the respondent will mail their formal Response.
How to answer it. List the petitioner’s mailing address, or the attorney’s address if represented. Use a physical address or a reliable mailing address; do not list the courthouse.
Example entry. “Maria E. Lopez, 1452 NE 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105.”
Nuance. If you fear for your safety, you may use an Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) substitute address through the Washington Secretary of State, which protects domestic violence survivors.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing an old address means you never receive the Response, and the case can stall when the court assumes you are not engaging.
Misconception. Petitioners think the address must be a home address. A P.O. box, work address, or attorney’s address is acceptable as long as you check it regularly.
Restraining Order Warnings (Automatic Orders)
What the field asks in plain English. A pre-printed list of automatic restrictions that take effect once the Summons is served — no hiding kids, no destroying property, no canceling insurance, no big bank moves.
How to answer it. Read the warnings carefully so you know they apply to both parties, including you. You do not write anything in this section, but you must understand it.
Example entry. No entry needed; the language is fixed by RCW 26.09.060.
Nuance. These automatic orders are sometimes called Standing Restraining Orders in counties like Pierce, where local rule LFLR 4 expands them.
Common mistake and consequence. Petitioners assume the warnings only bind the respondent. Violating them yourself (e.g., closing a joint bank account) can lead to contempt sanctions.
Misconception. Filers think the orders need a judge’s signature to take effect. They are automatic upon service of the Summons.
Petitioner’s Signature and Date
What the field asks in plain English. The petitioner (or their lawyer) signs and dates the Summons.
How to answer it. Sign in blue or black ink if filing on paper. If e-filing, use a /s/ Maria E. Lopez electronic signature block as allowed by GR 30. Date the signature with the same date you intend to file.
Example entry. “/s/ Maria E. Lopez Date: 06/03/2026.”
Nuance. If the petitioner is represented, the attorney signs and adds their WSBA bar number; the petitioner does not sign at all.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers leave the signature line blank or sign in pencil. Either defect makes the Summons void, and the case cannot proceed until a corrected version is filed and served.
Misconception. People think the signature must be notarized. The Summons is a signed document, not a sworn one — no notary is required.
Service Information Block
What the field asks in plain English. A short section identifying who served the form, when, and how. The server fills this out, not the petitioner.
How to answer it. The process server enters their name, address, the date and time of service, and the method (personal, substituted, mail). They sign under penalty of perjury and return the form, which the petitioner files as a Proof of Personal Service (FL All Family 101).
Example entry. “I, Carlos Rivera, served David J. Lopez at 1452 SE Pine St., Seattle, WA, on 06/05/2026 at 7:14 p.m.”
Nuance. If the server cannot find the respondent after diligent effort, you can ask the court for service by publication under RCW 4.28.100 or service by mail under CR 4(d)(4).
Common mistake and consequence. The petitioner serves the form themselves to save money. Self-service is invalid under CR 4(c), and any orders that follow can be vacated.
Misconception. Filers believe handing the papers to the respondent’s roommate counts. Substituted service requires the recipient to be a resident of suitable age and discretion, and even then it is only valid if the respondent could not be found personally.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Divorce With Minor Children (King County)
Maria has been married to David for nine years. They have two children, ages 7 and 4, and Maria files in King County Superior Court using e-filing.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County and Court | Superior Court of Washington, County of King |
| Petitioner | Maria Elena Lopez |
| Respondent | David James Lopez |
| Case Number | (left blank — clerk assigns at e-filing) |
| Response Deadline Box | ☒ 20 days (David lives in Seattle) |
| Address for Response | 1452 NE 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105 |
| Children Involved | A.L., age 7; J.L., age 4 (listed in Petition; referenced here) |
| Signature | /s/ Maria E. Lopez — 06/03/2026 |
| Service Block | Completed by process server Carlos Rivera on 06/05/2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus Greene — Parenting Plan Modification (Pierce County)
Marcus shares a 6-year-old daughter with his ex, Janelle. He wants to change the parenting schedule because he relocated for work, and he files in Pierce County.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| County and Court | Superior Court of Washington, County of Pierce |
| Petitioner | Marcus Daniel Greene |
| Respondent | Janelle Marie Greene |
| Case Number | 18-3-02211-4 (existing parentage case) |
| Response Deadline Box | ☒ 20 days |
| Address for Response | c/o Tacoma Family Law, 950 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| Children Involved | S.G., age 6 |
| Signature | /s/ Tara Nguyen, WSBA #54211 — 04/12/2026 (attorney signs) |
| Service Block | Completed by Pierce County Sheriff’s Office on 04/15/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Patel — Out-of-State Respondent (Spokane County)
Aisha files for divorce after a 22-year marriage. Her husband Raj moved to Texas eight months ago, so Aisha must use the 60-day box and arrange for service in Houston.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| County and Court | Superior Court of Washington, County of Spokane |
| Petitioner | Aisha Khanna Patel |
| Respondent | Rajiv Vinod Patel |
| Case Number | (left blank — new filing) |
| Response Deadline Box | ☒ 60 days (Raj resides in Texas) |
| Address for Response | 2207 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201 |
| Children Involved | None (both children are adults) |
| Signature | /s/ Aisha K. Patel — 02/19/2026 |
| Service Block | Completed by Harris County, TX process server on 03/01/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file FL All Family 130 through three channels in most Washington counties: e-filing, in person at the clerk’s office, or by mail. Pick the channel that matches your county’s local rules and your comfort level.
E-Filing (preferred in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and most urban counties). Upload the flattened PDF to the Odyssey eFiling portal. The system charges the $314 dissolution fee plus a small e-filing technology fee (usually $5–$10) and accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and ACH payments. Processing takes 1–3 business days. Save the Filed Stamp receipt PDF the system emails you; that is your proof of filing.
In Person. Bring two printed copies of the Summons and the full Petition packet to the county Superior Court Clerk. Pay the $314 filing fee by cash, check, money order, or card (county-dependent). The clerk file-stamps both copies, keeps the original, and returns the conformed copy to you as proof.
By Mail. Send the originals plus a self-addressed stamped envelope to the clerk’s mailing address. Pay by check or money order made out to the county clerk. Processing takes 7–14 business days, and your proof of filing is the conformed copy the clerk mails back. Mailed filings are risky because if the clerk rejects anything, you lose those days of clock time.
Fee Waivers. If you cannot afford the $314 fee, file a Motion and Declaration for Waiver of Civil Filing Fees under GR 34. The judge or court commissioner usually rules within 24–72 hours.
What Happens After You File
Once the Summons is filed, the clock has not yet started. The clock starts only when the respondent is served. The petitioner then files a Proof of Personal Service (FL All Family 101) to document the date and method of service.
If the respondent files a Response within the 20- or 60-day window, the case becomes contested and proceeds toward a case schedule, mandatory mediation in many counties, and eventually trial. If the respondent ignores the Summons, the petitioner can file a Motion for Default under CR 55 and ask the court to grant the relief requested in the Petition without the respondent’s input.
Most Washington counties impose a 90-day waiting period under RCW 26.09.030 before any divorce can be finalized, even agreed cases. Use that 90 days to negotiate a parenting plan, child support order, and property division.
The court issues a final decree at the end of the case, but the Summons remains in the case file forever as proof that the respondent received notice. If service is later challenged, the original Summons is the document the judge inspects first.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Wrong county. Filing where neither party lives wastes the $314 fee and forces you to refile.
- Mismatched names. Names that differ between the Summons and Petition give the respondent grounds to challenge service.
- Skipping the deadline box. A blank box voids the Summons because the respondent has no notice of when to respond.
- Checking both 20-day and 60-day boxes. Ambiguity invalidates the deadline and any default judgment.
- Self-serving the form. Petitioners cannot serve their own Summons under CR 4(c).
- Old form revision. Using a pre-2024 version triggers automatic clerk rejection.
- Editing the pre-printed notice. Customizing the Summons text breaches GR 14 and voids the form.
- Wrong address for response. Listing a stale address means you miss the Response and lose track of deadlines.
- Missing signature. Unsigned Summons forms have no legal effect.
- Failing to file the Proof of Service. Without filed proof, the court treats the respondent as never served, even if they actually were.
- Serving the Summons but not the Petition. Both documents must be served together; one without the other is defective service.
- Ignoring the SCRA for military respondents. Failing to file a Servicemembers Civil Relief Act declaration can void any default judgment for years afterward.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the current revision from the Washington Courts forms library every time, because old versions get rejected.
- Do match the Summons to the Petition word-for-word so the respondent cannot challenge service.
- Do hire a process server or use the county sheriff because neutral third-party service is bulletproof.
- Do keep a conformed, file-stamped copy of every page in a dedicated folder — paper or digital.
- Do calendar the 20- or 60-day deadline the moment the respondent is served, so you do not miss a default opportunity.
- Do ask the courthouse facilitator for a free review before filing if you are pro se.
Don’ts
- Don’t serve the form yourself; the law does not allow it and your case will collapse.
- Don’t edit the pre-printed warnings, even if you think the wording is awkward.
- Don’t guess at the respondent’s middle name; write (unknown) instead.
- Don’t check both response-deadline boxes “to be safe.”
- Don’t mail the form without a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Don’t rely on email or text message to serve the Summons unless a judge has signed an order specifically authorizing it.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of Filing Pro Se
- You save $3,000–$15,000 in attorney’s fees on a typical agreed dissolution.
- You control the pace and the wording of every document.
- Free help is available through WashingtonLawHelp.org and county facilitators.
- You learn your way around the courthouse, which helps for any future filings.
- You avoid the friction of explaining personal facts to a stranger.
Cons of Filing Pro Se
- One small error in the Summons can cost months of delay.
- You must learn local rules in addition to state rules; counties differ a lot.
- Service rules are technical, and pro se filers regularly mis-serve.
- You are bound by the same deadlines as a lawyer with no grace period.
- Judges enforce the rules strictly, even with self-represented parties.
Common Comparisons
| FL All Family 130 (Summons) | FL Divorce 101 (Petition) |
|---|---|
| Notifies the respondent that a case has started | Tells the court what relief you are asking for |
| Two pages, mostly pre-printed | Long, fact-specific, and requires detail |
| Must be served by a third party | Filed with the clerk; served alongside the Summons |
| Triggers automatic restraining orders upon service | Sets out the substantive claims |
FAQs
Is FL All Family 130 the same form for divorce and parenting plan modification?
No. The 130 series has separate versions for dissolution, modification, parentage, and non-parent custody. Always pick the version that matches your case type.
Do I have to pay the $314 fee if I cannot afford it?
No. You can file a GR 34 fee waiver motion and ask the court to waive the filing fee based on your income.
Can I serve the Summons by certified mail?
No. Personal service is required first. Service by mail is allowed only after a judge signs an order under CR 4(d)(4).
Do I sign the Summons in front of a notary?
No. The Summons requires a regular signature, not a notarized one, because it is not a sworn statement.
What if I do not know the respondent’s middle name on the form?
Yes, you can write (unknown middle name) in the box; the form remains valid as long as first and last names match the Petition.
Should I check the 20-day box if my spouse just moved to Oregon last week?
No. Use the 60-day box because service occurs out of state. Checking 20 days when the respondent is out of state can void the default.
Do I list my children’s full names in the Summons?
No. Children’s full names go in confidential filings like FL All Family 001 to protect privacy; the Summons references them by initials when needed.
Can I file FL All Family 130 without filing the Petition at the same time?
No. The Summons has no legal force without a Petition; both must be filed and served together.
Does the case number go in the Summons if I am filing a brand-new case?
No. Leave the case number blank; the clerk stamps the new number on intake.
Is e-filing required in Washington Superior Courts?
Yes, in many counties. Mandatory e-filing applies in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and several others through the Odyssey portal.
Does the 20-day clock start the day the Petition is filed?
No. The clock starts on the day the respondent is personally served, not the day the petitioner files.
Can my friend serve the Summons for me to save money?
Yes, if your friend is at least 18, not a party to the case, and willing to sign the proof of service under penalty of perjury per CR 4(c).
Does signing the Summons commit me to going through with the divorce?
No. You can voluntarily dismiss the case at any time before final orders are entered, though the $314 filing fee is non-refundable.
Is the automatic restraining order list enforceable against me as the petitioner?
Yes. The restrictions in RCW 26.09.060 bind both parties from the moment the respondent is served.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL All Family 001 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL All Family 117 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL All Family 131 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL All Family 140 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL Divorce 201 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL Parentage 332 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs