IMPORTANT. YOU CAN ONLY FILE FOR VISITATION ONCE. PLEASE BE THOROUGH AND FOLLOW PROCEDURES CORRECTLY.

  1. How to File:
    1. Complete the following forms purchased at the Clerk’s Office or at www.courts.wa.gov/forms
      • FL Visits 475 Summons – Petition for Visits
      • FL Visits 476 Petition for Visits 
    2. You may also provide declarations from people supporting your request for visitation.  Use form:
      • FL All Family 135 Declaration of (name): _________________
    3. Complete form 485 (Request for Court Review) to set a review on the domestic docket (Mondays, 8:30 for Franklin; and Tuesdays, 1:30 for Benton).
      • This will not be a hearing with testimony. It is for initial Court Review, so be thorough in your above filed paperwork. If you have received material from the Respondent/s, you shall notify the Court in writing of the paperwork received. *FL Visits 485 Request for Court Review
    4. File originals with the Superior Court Clerk and pay the filing fee of $260.00 or apply for a fee waiver. Have a set of copies conformed for yourself, as well as a set of copies for each respondent.
    5. Personally serve the respondents with the above filed documents. Someone over 18 and not the petitioners can serve.  You may also pay a process server or law enforcement to serve.
      • The respondents have 20 days (if served in WA) to decide if they wish to respond.
    6. File a Proof of Personal Service with the Court. Use form:
      • FL All Family 101 Proof of Personal Service
    7. At the Court review hearing, the Court will make a decision on:
      • FL Visits 486 Order After Review of Petition for Visits  
    8. Once the Court enters its Order after Review, obtain a copy from the Clerk, copies are $.050 per page, and serve the Respondents a copy.
      • If the petition is denied, there will be no further action.
    9. If the review is approved, the Petitioner is required to also serve the completed, attached section “Notice to Respondent” on the above order.
      • Please ensure the timelines are completed if the case was not dismissed. 
      • After all Respondents have been served with the “Order After Review of Petition for Visits” along with the “Notice to Respondent”, file proof, i.e. Proof of Mailing or Hand Delivery, with the Clerk on this form:
        • FL All Family 112 Proof of Mailing or Hand Delivery (for documents after Summons and Petition)
    10. Attend any future hearings set by the Court and bring the following order for the Judge’s decision:
      • FL Visits 488 Final Order and Findings on Petition for Visits

Additional information can be found here:   https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/washingtons-new-non-parent-visitation-rights 

[Updated September 1, 2024]