Washington Form LT‑05 is the Eviction Summons (Residential – Non‑Payment of Rent) that a landlord must serve on a tenant alongside the unlawful detainer complaint when the only ground for eviction is unpaid rent under RCW 59.18.057 and RCW 59.18.365. It tells the tenant that they have 7 days (not the usual 20) to file a written response or lose the case by default, which is why getting every field right is so important.
This summons is published by the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts as a pattern form on the Washington Courts website, and Washington landlords filed roughly 12,000 unlawful detainer cases statewide in 2024, with court data showing that defective summonses are one of the top three reasons judges dismiss eviction filings. A wrong box, a missing date, or the wrong response deadline can send the case back to square one, with rent still unpaid.
Here is what this guide will walk you through:
- 📄 What Form LT‑05 actually is and which landlords must use it
- 🗂️ The exact documents and information to gather before you start
- 🖊️ A line‑by‑line walkthrough of every field, with sample entries
- 👤 Three full filled‑out examples using real Washington scenarios
- ⏱️ How to file, serve, and prove service across every county
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes that get LT‑05 summonses thrown out
What Form LT‑05 Is and Who Must File It
Form LT‑05 is the Pattern Form Eviction Summons approved by the Washington Supreme Court for residential unlawful detainer cases that are based only on non‑payment of rent. It is the document that formally notifies the tenant that a lawsuit has been filed and that they must answer within a short window. Washington uses a different summons (LT‑06) when the case is based on lease violations, nuisance, or end of term, so picking the right form is the first decision a landlord makes.
The form sits inside Washington’s larger eviction system created by the Residential Landlord‑Tenant Act, RCW 59.18. Under RCW 59.18.365, the language on the summons must match the statute almost word for word. The Legislature shortened the response deadline to 7 days in 2021 through Senate Bill 5160, which also created the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP), now folded into permanent dispute resolution requirements in many counties.
You must file Form LT‑05 if you are a residential landlord in Washington, you served a valid 14‑day notice to pay or vacate, the tenant did not pay or move out, and rent is the only reason for the eviction. Property managers, LLC owners, trustees of family trusts, and individual mom‑and‑pop landlords all use the same form. Tenants who receive an LT‑05 use the matching Tenant Response form (LT‑10) to file their answer.
If you list any other ground — a barking dog, an unauthorized roommate, a holdover after lease end — you must instead use Form LT‑06, the general eviction summons with the 20‑day response period. Mixing grounds on an LT‑05 is the single fastest way to get a dismissal under the line of cases following Randy Reynolds & Assoc. v. Harmon, 193 Wn.2d 143 (2019).
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out LT‑05 takes about 20 minutes if your paperwork is in order, and several days if it is not. The form references dates, dollar amounts, and parties that must match your underlying notice and complaint exactly, so gather everything first. Washington courts reject summonses where the rent amount on the summons does not match the rent amount on the 14‑day notice.
Use this pre‑filing checklist before you open the form:
- Signed lease or rental agreement. You need the legal names of every adult tenant on the lease so the case caption is correct; missing a co‑tenant means you cannot enforce the judgment against them.
- Copy of the 14‑day notice to pay or vacate. The summons must reflect the same unpaid rent figure; a $50 mismatch can void service under RCW 59.12.040.
- Proof of how the 14‑day notice was served. Personal service, substitute service, or post‑and‑mail each carry different timelines that change the date you can file.
- Tenant ledger showing every payment and charge. You need the total past‑due rent through the date of the notice; late fees and utilities can not be lumped in under RCW 59.18.283.
- Property address and unit number. This goes in the body of the summons and must match the address on the lease.
- Your filing county. Unlawful detainer actions are filed in the Superior Court of the county where the property sits, per RCW 59.12.050.
- ERPP certification, if your county still requires one. Some counties require proof you offered dispute resolution before filing; skipping it gets the case stayed.
- Attorney bar number, if represented. Pro se landlords leave this blank but must still print their full name, address, phone, and email.
- Filing fee payment method. Washington Superior Court charges $240 for an unlawful detainer filing as of the 2024 court fee schedule.
- A hard copy or PDF of the complaint for unlawful detainer. The summons is never filed alone; it travels with the complaint, the notice, and a declaration of service.
If any item is missing, stop and fix it before you draft the summons. A summons issued on bad facts is worse than no summons at all because it gives the tenant grounds for fees under RCW 59.18.290.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only safe place to download Form LT‑05 is the Washington Courts forms library, which always hosts the current revision. The form is published as both a fillable PDF and a Word document so landlords and attorneys can complete it on screen. The current revision is dated 05/2022, and the revision date prints in the lower left corner of page 1; check that date before you fill anything in.
Third‑party sites often host outdated versions with the old 20‑day response language. Using one of those copies will get the case dismissed because the summons no longer tracks RCW 59.18.365. The Northwest Justice Project and WashingtonLawHelp host accurate copies for tenants, but landlords should always pull from the courts site.
You can fill the form three ways. Option 1: open the fillable PDF in Adobe Acrobat or any free PDF editor and type directly into each box. Option 2: open the Word version, type your answers, and save as a PDF before filing. Option 3: print a blank copy and complete it by hand in black ink, all caps, which most county clerks prefer for scanned filings.
Counties that use mandatory e‑filing — including King County’s Clerk eFiling, Pierce County LINX, Snohomish County, and Spokane County — require a flattened PDF, meaning you must save the completed PDF so the fields can no longer be edited. An un‑flattened PDF will be rejected by the clerk’s intake queue.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Fill Out Form LT‑05 Line by Line
The form has one page and roughly a dozen fields, but each field carries weight. Work top to bottom and never skip a box, even one that looks optional. The walkthrough below mirrors the order the fields appear on the official pattern form.
Caption Box: Superior Court of Washington, County of ______
This top field asks which county Superior Court the case is being filed in. Type the county name in all caps on the blank line — for example, KING or PIERCE. The county must be the one where the rental property is physically located, not where the landlord lives or where the management company has its office.
A specific example: Maria Lopez owns a duplex in Tacoma and lives in Olympia, so she writes PIERCE in the caption because the property sits in Pierce County. If the property straddles a county line, use the county where the unit’s front door opens.
The most common edge case involves tribal land or federal property; eviction on tribal trust land is not handled in Superior Court and LT‑05 does not apply. The most common mistake is writing the landlord’s home county, which causes the clerk to reject the filing for improper venue under RCW 59.12.050. A misconception many landlords carry is that they can pick a friendlier county; venue is fixed by statute, not by choice.
Plaintiff Field
This field asks for the name of the person or entity suing — almost always the landlord or the property owner of record. Enter the full legal name exactly as it appears on the deed or the lease as landlord. If the landlord is an LLC, write the full LLC name including LLC; if the owner is a married couple holding title together, list both names joined by and.
A specific example: MARIA LOPEZ AND DAVID LOPEZ, husband and wife, write that exact phrase in the Plaintiff field. For an entity, SUNRISE PROPERTIES LLC, a Washington limited liability company is the correct format.
The nuance: if a property manager files on behalf of the owner, the owner is still the plaintiff, not the manager. The most common mistake is naming the management company as plaintiff, which the tenant can move to dismiss for lack of standing because the manager is not the real party in interest under CR 17(a). A misconception is that listing both the owner and manager strengthens the case; it actually weakens it because the manager has no claim to possession.
Defendant Field
This field asks for the names of the tenants being evicted. List every adult on the lease, plus and all other occupants if you suspect unauthorized residents. Use full legal names from the lease or the most recent rent receipt; nicknames and initials cause service problems.
A specific example: JAMES T. CARTER, ASHLEY CARTER, and all other occupants goes in the Defendant field for a married couple renting a single‑family home.
The nuance: if a tenant has moved out but a roommate remains, you still list the absent tenant if they are on the lease, because the judgment for back rent runs against them too. The most common mistake is leaving off a co‑tenant who later argues the judgment cannot be enforced against them; this can cost thousands in unrecoverable rent. A misconception is that John Doe and Jane Doe placeholders are acceptable; Washington courts disfavor them and will often strike the names if you knew the real ones.
Case Number Field
This field is left blank by the landlord. The clerk assigns a case number when the complaint is filed and stamps it onto the summons before service. Do not write to be assigned or any placeholder.
A specific example: when Maria Lopez files her packet, the King County clerk stamps 24‑2‑12345‑6 SEA on the case number line, and that becomes the case caption for every filing going forward.
The nuance: if you serve the summons before the clerk assigns the case number, the service is void; you must always file first, get the number, and serve second. The most common mistake is photocopying a blank summons and serving it without the case number, which the tenant can use to quash service. A misconception is that the case number can be added later by hand; once filed, the stamped number must appear on the served copy.
“To the Defendant” Block
This is pre‑printed text on the form telling the tenant they have been sued for non‑payment of rent. You do not edit this block; the statute requires the wording to stay exactly as printed. The block also tells the tenant that judgment may be entered against them if they fail to respond.
A specific example: the form reads “A lawsuit has been started against you in the above‑entitled Court by ______, plaintiff,” and you fill in MARIA LOPEZ on the blank.
The nuance: if you alter even one word of the warning language, the summons no longer matches RCW 59.18.365 and is defective. The most common mistake is retyping the form from scratch and accidentally paraphrasing the warning, which voids the summons. A misconception is that adding extra warnings makes the form stronger; it makes it noncompliant.
Response Deadline – 7 Days
This is the field that defines LT‑05 and separates it from every other Washington summons. The pre‑printed text states that the tenant must respond within 7 days after service of the summons, not counting the day of service. You do not change this number; if you need a 20‑day deadline, you are using the wrong form.
A specific example: if the tenant is personally served on Monday, June 3, 2024, day one is Tuesday June 4, and day seven is Monday June 10 by 5:00 p.m.
The nuance: weekends and court holidays still count, but if day seven falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline rolls to the next business day under CR 6(a). The most common mistake is calculating from the day of mailing rather than the day of personal service; this miscount can cost a landlord a default judgment when the tenant files on what the landlord thought was day eight. A misconception is that the 7 days start from filing; they start from service on the tenant.
Attorney/Plaintiff Signature Block
This block is at the bottom of the form and must be signed by the landlord’s attorney or, if the landlord is pro se, by the landlord directly. Print the signer’s name, Washington State Bar number if any, mailing address, telephone, and email. Sign in blue ink if filing a paper original; e‑filed PDFs accept a typed s/Maria Lopez signature line.
A specific example: s/ Jordan Reyes, WSBA No. 45678, 1200 5th Ave Suite 800, Seattle WA 98101, (206) 555‑0144, jreyes@reyeslaw.com shows what a complete attorney block looks like.
The nuance: if more than one attorney signs, list each separately with their own bar number. The most common mistake is leaving the email blank, which violates GR 30 and can trigger a clerk rejection in e‑filing counties. A misconception is that the property manager can sign on the owner’s behalf; only the named plaintiff or a licensed attorney may sign the summons.
Address for Service of Response Field
This field tells the tenant where to send their written response. Put a single address — typically the attorney’s office or the landlord’s mailing address — and an email address that you actually monitor. Tenants commonly email their answer at 4:59 p.m. on day seven, so the inbox must be live.
A specific example: Send your response to: Reyes Law PLLC, 1200 5th Ave Suite 800, Seattle WA 98101, jreyes@reyeslaw.com.
The nuance: if you use a P.O. Box, you must still provide a physical street address for personal delivery of the answer. The most common mistake is listing only an email; courts have held that the response address must include a physical option under RCW 59.18.365. A misconception is that the address can be the property itself; never list the rental unit, because the tenant cannot serve a response on the very landlord trying to evict them at the address they are being evicted from.
Date of Issuance
The date on the summons is the date the landlord or attorney signs it, not the date of filing or service. Use the format MM/DD/YYYY in numerals. Do not back‑date.
A specific example: 06/01/2024 is what Jordan Reyes types on the day she signs the summons for Maria Lopez.
The nuance: the summons is valid for 90 days from issuance for service purposes under CR 4(b); if not served within that window, you must reissue. The most common mistake is signing in May and serving in September, which makes the summons stale and triggers a motion to quash. A misconception is that the date of the underlying notice is the date of issuance; they are different documents on different timelines.
Optional ERPP Certification Reference
Some counties still require a notation that the landlord complied with the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program or its successor dispute resolution requirement. The form has space at the bottom or in the complaint to reference the certification number issued by the local dispute resolution center.
A specific example: ERPP Certification No. KCDRC‑2024‑0456, issued 05/20/2024 would appear in the cover sheet or as an attachment.
The nuance: ERPP requirements vary year to year and county to county; check your local Superior Court’s General Orders. The most common mistake is filing without the certification in a county that still requires it, which gets the case stayed for 60 days. A misconception is that ERPP applies statewide; it has been most active in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Spokane counties.
Three Filled‑Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three scenarios that cover the most common LT‑05 fact patterns in Washington. Each follows one named landlord through the entire summons.
Scenario 1 – Maria Lopez, Single‑Family Home in Pierce County, $2,400 Behind
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Court county | PIERCE |
| Plaintiff | MARIA LOPEZ AND DAVID LOPEZ, husband and wife |
| Defendant | JAMES T. CARTER, ASHLEY CARTER, and all other occupants |
| Case number | (left blank for clerk) |
| Property address (in complaint) | 4521 South Ainsworth Ave, Tacoma WA 98408 |
| Unpaid rent stated in 14‑day notice | $2,400.00 (April + May 2024 rent) |
| Response deadline language | 7 days after service, not counting day of service |
| Address for response | Lopez Family Rentals, PO Box 221, Olympia WA 98507; mlopez@lopezrentals.com |
| Date of issuance | 06/01/2024 |
| Signature | s/ Maria Lopez, Plaintiff Pro Se |
Scenario 2 – Sunrise Properties LLC, Apartment Complex in King County, Multi‑Tenant Filing
| Form Section | What Sunrise Enters |
|---|---|
| Court county | KING |
| Plaintiff | SUNRISE PROPERTIES LLC, a Washington limited liability company |
| Defendant | AISHA PATEL and all other occupants of Unit 312 |
| Case number | (stamped by clerk as 24‑2‑15678‑1 SEA) |
| Property address (in complaint) | 900 Rainier Ave S, Apt 312, Seattle WA 98144 |
| Unpaid rent stated in 14‑day notice | $1,875.00 (May 2024 rent) |
| Response deadline language | 7 days after service, not counting day of service |
| Address for response | Reyes Law PLLC, 1200 5th Ave Ste 800, Seattle WA 98101; jreyes@reyeslaw.com |
| ERPP certification | KCDRC‑2024‑0456, issued 05/20/2024 |
| Signature | s/ Jordan Reyes, WSBA No. 45678, attorney for plaintiff |
Scenario 3 – Marcus Allen, Duplex in Spokane County, Senior Tenant on Fixed Income
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Court county | SPOKANE |
| Plaintiff | MARCUS ALLEN, an individual |
| Defendant | JANET WHITLOCK, a single person |
| Case number | (left blank for clerk) |
| Property address (in complaint) | 1410 W Boone Ave, Unit B, Spokane WA 99201 |
| Unpaid rent stated in 14‑day notice | $950.00 (June 2024 rent) |
| Response deadline language | 7 days after service, not counting day of service |
| Address for response | Marcus Allen, 22 E 17th Ave, Spokane WA 99203; marcus.allen@gmail.com |
| Date of issuance | 07/02/2024 |
| Signature | s/ Marcus Allen, Plaintiff Pro Se |
How to File the Completed Form LT‑05
Once the summons is signed, you file it in the Superior Court of the county where the property sits, together with the complaint, a copy of the 14‑day notice, and any required ERPP certification. Filing creates the case; service starts the 7‑day clock. Filing and service are two different steps and they happen in that order.
Online (e‑filing). Most populous counties require e‑filing through their portal. King County uses the Clerk’s eFiling system, Pierce uses LINX, and Snohomish accepts filings through its online clerk portal. Upload a flattened PDF of the summons plus the complaint, pay the $240 filing fee by Visa, MasterCard, or e‑check, and download the conformed copy the system returns; that conformed copy is your proof of filing.
By mail. Smaller counties accept paper filings by U.S. Mail. Send the original summons, two copies, the complaint, the notice, a check for $240 payable to the County Clerk, and a self‑addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your conformed copies. Expect 5 to 10 business days for processing; keep the certified mail green card as your proof of filing.
In person. Walk the packet into the County Clerk’s office during business hours, typically 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring the original plus two copies, pay the $240 fee in cash, check, or card, and the clerk will hand you back conformed copies the same day. Save the time‑stamped copy as your proof.
Service on the tenant. After filing, you must have a non‑party adult over 18 personally serve the tenant with the summons, the complaint, and the notice. Service rules are in RCW 4.28.080 and Civil Rule 4. The process server then files a Declaration of Service with the court, which is your proof of service. Do not attempt to serve the tenant yourself; a party to the lawsuit is statutorily disqualified.
What Happens After You File and Serve
Once the summons is served, the 7‑day clock starts. The tenant can respond in four ways: pay the full rent owed and end the case, file a written answer admitting or denying the allegations, request a show cause hearing, or do nothing. Each path leads to a different next step in court.
If the tenant files an answer, the court schedules a show cause hearing within 7 to 30 days under RCW 59.18.380. Both sides appear, the judge hears argument, and the judge either issues a writ of restitution, sets the case for trial, or orders the tenant onto a payment plan. Show cause hearings in Washington routinely take 10 to 20 minutes per case.
If the tenant does nothing within 7 days, the landlord files a motion for default judgment and a proposed writ of restitution. The court reviews the file, signs the writ, and the county sheriff posts a 5‑day notice on the door before physically removing the tenant. From filing to lockout, an uncontested LT‑05 case typically takes 3 to 6 weeks statewide.
If the tenant pays in full before judgment, the case is dismissed and the tenancy is reinstated under the pay‑and‑stay rule in RCW 59.18.410. The landlord cannot refuse the payment if it covers all rent, late fees allowed by statute, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out Form LT‑05
Form LT‑05 looks simple, but every box is a potential point of failure. Eviction defense attorneys at the Northwest Justice Project make their living spotting these errors. Below are the ones that show up most often in dismissed cases.
- Using LT‑05 when the case is not purely about rent. If you also allege a lease violation, the case must use LT‑06; mixing grounds gets the case dismissed for using the wrong summons.
- Stating the wrong rent amount. A figure that does not match the 14‑day notice voids service and forces a re‑filing.
- Listing only one tenant when both are on the lease. The judgment cannot be enforced against the un‑named co‑tenant, leaving thousands in rent uncollectable.
- Filing in the wrong county. Venue must be where the property sits; wrong county filings get dismissed for improper venue.
- Serving before filing. The summons must bear the case number; pre‑filing service is void.
- Letting the landlord serve the tenant. Parties cannot serve their own summons; the service is invalid.
- Forgetting to flatten the PDF for e‑filing. Counties reject editable PDFs at intake, costing days while you re‑upload.
- Using an outdated form with 20‑day language. Tenants get the wrong deadline and the summons is defective under RCW 59.18.365.
- Skipping the ERPP certification in counties that require it. The case is stayed for at least 60 days while you go back and complete dispute resolution.
- Listing the rental unit as the response address. No tenant can practically serve a response there, and courts treat it as no address at all.
- Back‑dating the issuance date. Discovery of back‑dating can lead to sanctions and dismissal with prejudice under CR 11.
- Forgetting to include the email address in the signature block. GR 30 e‑service compliance fails and the clerk bounces the filing.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list of habits that keep landlords on the right side of the rules and out of the Washington State Bar referral hotline:
- Do download Form LT‑05 fresh from the Washington Courts forms library every time, because revisions happen quietly and using last year’s copy can void the summons.
- Do match the rent amount on the summons to the 14‑day notice to the penny, so the tenant cannot move to quash for a discrepancy.
- Do name every adult on the lease as a defendant, because the judgment runs only against people you sued.
- Do have a non‑party adult serve the tenant, because parties cannot serve their own summons under CR 4.
- Do keep a service log with date, time, address, and server’s name, because that log becomes the Declaration of Service.
- Do monitor the response email inbox daily, because tenants often file at the last minute.
- Don’t edit the pre‑printed warning text on the form, because any change voids statutory compliance.
- Don’t combine non‑rent issues into an LT‑05 filing, because mixed grounds require the longer LT‑06 summons.
- Don’t serve before the clerk stamps the case number on the summons, because pre‑numbering service is invalid.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box without a street address for response service, because tenants need a physical option.
- Don’t rely on email service to the tenant, because Washington requires personal service for the original summons.
- Don’t count weekends differently from weekdays in the 7‑day calculation, because CR 6 controls.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many small landlords file LT‑05 pro se to save money, while larger owners hire an attorney from the Rental Housing Association or a private firm. Both paths are legal; the right one depends on case complexity and your tolerance for procedural risk.
Pros of filing pro se:
- Saves $1,500 to $3,000 in attorney fees on a routine non‑payment case.
- Forces the landlord to learn the statute, which pays off in future filings.
- Faster turnaround for simple, undisputed cases where the tenant has clearly stopped paying.
- Direct control over communication with the tenant and the court.
- No conflict of calendar between you and outside counsel.
Cons of filing pro se:
- One missed deadline or wrong form choice can dismiss the case and reset weeks of progress.
- Pro se landlords cannot represent an LLC; the LLC must hire an attorney under GR 24.
- Tenants represented by legal aid outmatch pro se landlords on procedure roughly two‑to‑one in published King County data.
- Emotional cases (long‑term tenants, sick relatives) can lead pro se landlords into statements that hurt the case.
- Show cause hearings are unforgiving; one waived argument can cost the writ.
Form LT‑05 vs. Form LT‑06 at a Glance
| Feature | LT‑05 |
|---|---|
| Used for | Non‑payment of rent only |
| Response deadline | 7 days after service |
| Underlying notice | 14‑day notice to pay or vacate |
| Pay‑and‑stay available | Yes, under RCW 59.18.410 |
| Most common dismissal reason | Wrong rent figure or mixed grounds |
| Feature | LT‑06 |
|---|---|
| Used for | Lease violations, nuisance, end of term |
| Response deadline | 20 days after service |
| Underlying notice | 10‑day comply, 3‑day nuisance, or 20‑day no‑cause where allowed |
| Pay‑and‑stay available | Generally no |
| Most common dismissal reason | Defective underlying notice |
FAQs
Do I use LT‑05 if the tenant owes rent and also has an unauthorized pet?
No. LT‑05 is only for pure non‑payment cases; the unauthorized pet adds a lease‑violation ground that requires LT‑06 with a 10‑day comply‑or‑vacate notice and a 20‑day response window.
Can I serve the LT‑05 myself?
No. Washington requires a non‑party adult over 18 to serve the summons under CR 4, and a landlord serving their own tenant is disqualified by statute.
Does the 7‑day clock include weekends?
Yes. Calendar days count, but if day seven lands on a Saturday, Sunday, or court holiday, the deadline rolls to the next court business day under CR 6(a).
Do I write the property address in the Defendant box?
No. The Defendant box only takes the tenants’ legal names; the property address goes in the complaint and any required cover sheet, never in the summons caption.
Should the case number be filled in before filing?
No. The clerk stamps the case number after filing; landlords leave that line blank and must serve only the stamped, conformed copy.
Do I need an attorney if I own the property in an LLC?
Yes. An LLC cannot appear pro se under GR 24; a Washington‑licensed attorney must sign and file on the LLC’s behalf.
Can I list “John Doe” as a defendant if I do not know the roommate’s name?
No. Courts disfavor Doe defendants when the landlord could have asked; use and all other occupants instead and amend once a name is known.
Does the 14‑day notice get attached to the summons?
Yes. Best practice is to file the notice as an exhibit to the complaint and serve it with the summons so the tenant has the full record.
Do I have to offer ERPP mediation in every county?
No. Requirements vary; check the local Superior Court’s general orders before filing because some counties have sunset the program while others continue it.
Can the tenant respond by email only?
Yes. Tenants may email or mail their response to the address you list, which is why you must list a live email and a physical address in the response block.
Should I include late fees in the rent figure on the summons?
No. Only the unpaid rent listed in the 14‑day notice belongs on the summons; bundling late fees there violates RCW 59.18.283 and can void service.
Do I sign in blue ink or black ink?
Yes for paper originals, blue ink is preferred so the clerk can tell the original from a photocopy; e‑filed PDFs accept s/Name typed signatures under GR 30.
Is the $240 filing fee waivable?
Yes. Indigent plaintiffs can apply to waive fees under GR 34, though the waiver is rare for landlords because most have rental income on record.
Can I refile if the tenant pays after I serve?
No. If the tenant pays the full rent, late fees, court costs, and attorney fees before judgment, you must dismiss; you can refile only if the tenant defaults again on a future month.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Washington Form LT 01 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form LT 02 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form LT-03 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form LT 04 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form LT 06 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form LT 11 (w/Examples) + FAQs