It is the responsibility of the plaintiff (or the defendant for a counterclaim) to see that the Notice of Small Claim form is served upon the opposing party no less than 10 days prior to the trial date. The Court will not serve notice on the other party. Additional fees payable to the Sheriff or process server may be necessary to have the Notice of Small Claim form served on the opposing party. A party who prevails at trial may be entitled to recover the costs of filing and service fees. Service of the claim can be accomplished by any of the following methods:

• The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, contact them by phone at 360-385-3831.
• A professional process server (see telephone Yellow Pages).
• Any person of legal age (18) who is not connected with the case, either as a witness or as a party.
• By mailing copies of the Notice of Small Claim to the defendant by registered or certified mail with a return receipt requested.

The plaintiff cannot personally serve the copies of the Notice of Small Claim. Proof of service must be filed with the Court. If service was by mail, the postal receipt bearing the defendant's signature must be filed with the Court. For all other service an Affidavit of Service must be signed by the server and filed with the Court. An Affidavit of Service states in writing the following:

1. The date the Claim form was served.
2. Upon whom it was served.
3. Address where served.
4. The name of the person who did the serving. The person who does the service must sign an affidavit before a Notary Public, or sign a certification in lieu of a notarized statement.

The Court can provide a Return of Service form.