Washington Order for Service of Summons by Mail is a procedure used in Washington State courts that allows a defendant to be served with a summons by mail instead of in-person service of the summons. This procedure is used when it is difficult or impossible to serve a summons in-person. There are two types of Washington Order for Service of Summons by Mail: Notice and Acknowledgement of Receipt and Acceptance and Waiver of Service. The Notice and Acknowledgement of Receipt process requires the plaintiff to mail the defendant a copy of the summons and complaint and a form that requires the defendant to sign and return to the plaintiff or court. If the defendant fails to return the form, the plaintiff may apply for an order of service of summons by mail from the court. The Acceptance and Waiver of Service process requires the plaintiff to mail the defendant a copy of the summons and complaint, along with a form allowing them to accept service and waive their right to appear in court. If the defendant does not sign the form and return it, the plaintiff may apply for an order of service of summons by mail from the court. In either process, after an order of service of summons by mail is granted by the court, the plaintiff must mail the defendant a copy of the summons, complaint, and order of service of summons by mail. The defendant is considered to be served when the documents are received.