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How much does it cost to evict a tenant in Washington?

Eviction in Washington — an unlawful detainer action — costs just $45 to open under RCW 36.18.020(2)(a), deliberately priced far below the $200 general civil filing fee. The catch is the second instalment: if the tenant serves or files an answer, the landlord must pay a further $112 under RCW 36.18.012(4) before the case can proceed, taking a contested case's clerk fees to $157 before service and writ costs.

Washington eviction fees at a glance

The two-stage price is unique among the states in this guide and it changes landlord budgeting: an uncontested Washington eviction is one of the cheapest filings in the country at $45, while a contested one costs $157 at the clerk — still modest, but only if the second fee is paid on time, because the statute makes it a precondition to proceeding once an answer lands. County clerk schedules, such as King County's Superior Court and Clerk's Fee Schedule, restate the same statutory figures with the county's surcharge lines. The national comparison is on the eviction filing costs hub and the state overview on the Washington court costs guide.

Just cause comes first — the notice decides the case

Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (chapter 59.18 RCW) requires a statutory just cause for terminating most residential tenancies under RCW 59.18.650, and each cause carries its own notice period — most famously the 14-day pay-or-vacate notice for nonpayment. A defective notice is fatal: superior courts dismiss unlawful detainers filed on the wrong notice or the wrong day count, and the $45 filing fee is spent again on the refiling. The action itself is summary by design — RCW 59.12 and 59.18 compress pleading, hearing and judgment into weeks — which is precisely why the clerk fee is set at a fraction of the ordinary civil rate.

Show cause, writ of restitution and the sheriff

Most Washington evictions run through an order to show cause: the court sets a hearing at filing, the tenant may answer (triggering the $112), and the judge decides possession at the hearing. A prevailing landlord receives a writ of restitution under RCW 59.18.375 and related provisions, executed by the county sheriff, who posts the writ and, after the statutory stand-by period, restores physical possession. Sheriff service and writ-execution charges are set on each county sheriff's own fee schedule, so this page does not publish a statewide sheriff figure — check your sheriff's civil-process schedule when you budget.

1. Serve the correct statutory notice for your just cause — 14-day pay-or-vacate for nonpayment under chapter 59.18
2. File the summons and complaint for unlawful detainer in superior court and pay the initiating fee $45
3. Serve the tenant; if the tenant answers, pay the second-stage fee before proceeding $112
4. Appear at the show-cause hearing; obtain judgment and a writ of restitution if you prevail
5. Deliver the writ to the sheriff for posting and physical restitution; arrange the tenant's property handling the statute requires

What eviction really costs beyond the clerk

Beyond $45–$157 in clerk fees, the real variables are process service, sheriff writ fees on the county schedule, and attorney fees — Washington's compressed timeline and just-cause defences are why many landlords budget counsel even for a first eviction. A tenant's counterclaim carries its own fee equivalent to the full unlawful detainer fee under RCW 36.18.012(5), a detail tenants' advisers check before filing one. Compare California eviction costs and Oregon court costs for the neighbouring structures.

Can't afford the fee?

Washington courts may waive filing fees for an indigent party under General Rule 34, on a financial declaration showing receipt of means-tested benefits or income at or below the rule's threshold. Tenants more often use GR 34 for the appeal and counterclaim fees than landlords do for the $45 — but the rule is party-neutral. The general mechanics are explained in the fee waiver guide.

Sources: RCW 36.18.020(2)(a) (unlawful detainer initiating fee $45; general civil $200), (2)(d) (antiharassment $53) · RCW 36.18.012(4) ($112 on tenant's answer), (5) (counterclaim fee equivalent) · King County Superior Court and Clerk's Fee Schedule, effective June 11, 2026 · RCW 59.18.650 (just cause), RCW 59.18.375 (writ of restitution; rent into registry) · Washington Courts General Rule 34 (fee waiver). Last verified: October 2026 — confirm current figures with your county clerk.