Default Judgment in Washington Small Claims Court

A default judgment in Washington small claims court happens when the defendant doesn't show up. The judge verifies that the plaintiff served you properly, confirms the plaintiff is present, and signs a judgment for the full amount claimed plus filing and service costs. No evidence hearing. No chance to dispute.

Under RCW 12.40.105, that judgment transcribes automatically to the regular civil docket — meaning it becomes an enforceable civil judgment valid for 10 years, extendable for another 10.

What Triggers a Default

The trigger is straightforward: you were served with a Notice of Small Claim (form MISC 05.0100) and did not appear at the scheduled hearing, pre-trial conference, or mediation session. It doesn't matter why. A phone call to the clerk explaining your absence doesn't prevent the default. Only a court-ordered continuance does.

In King County, where pre-trials run on Zoom, failing to join the virtual hearing counts as a no-show — the same as walking past a physical courtroom.

The Financial Damage

The default judgment covers the principal amount the plaintiff claimed, plus the court filing fee and the cost of serving you. If the plaintiff claimed $7,500 and spent $50 on filing plus $75 on a process server, the judgment is $7,625. Interest accrues from the date of judgment at 12% per year under RCW 4.56.110.

If the judgment remains unpaid 30 days after it is entered on the District Court judgment docket, garnishment or execution may issue. The prevailing party may also file the judgment in Superior Court's lien docket. It does not automatically appear on credit reports, but court records are public and credit bureaus periodically index them.

Can You Vacate a Default Judgment?

Yes, but there are deadlines and requirements. Under RCW 12.40.120 and CRLJ 60(b), you can file a Motion to Vacate Default Judgment. The recognized grounds include:

• Excusable neglect — a medical emergency, a death in the family, or documented lack of notice. You'll need evidence: hospital records, a death certificate, proof that you never received the papers.
• Void judgment — the plaintiff never actually served you properly. If you can show that the proof of service was defective, the judgment has no legal foundation.
• Fraud or misrepresentation — the plaintiff lied about serving you or misrepresented the claim.

A motion based on excusable neglect must be filed within a "reasonable time" and no more than one year after the judgment was entered. A motion based on a void judgment (defective service) can be filed at any time.

How to File the Motion

File a Motion and Declaration to Vacate Default Judgment with the District Court clerk, along with a declaration explaining why you missed the hearing and attaching any supporting documents. Serve a copy on the plaintiff. The filing fee varies by county.

Filing the motion does not automatically stop the plaintiff from collecting. If the plaintiff has already started garnishment proceedings, you'll need to file a separate Motion for Stay of Execution to freeze collection while the vacatur motion is pending.

If the court grants your motion, the default is vacated and the case resets for a trial on the merits — you get the hearing you missed. If denied, the judgment stands.

How to Prevent a Default in the First Place

Mark your hearing date the moment you read the notice. Set multiple reminders. If you genuinely cannot attend, file a Motion for Continuance before the hearing date — not after. A continuance costs nothing, while vacating a default judgment costs time, fees, and stress.

The Washington Small Claims Response Guide includes a deadline tracker and a county procedure checklist that maps every date from service through judgment, so nothing falls through the cracks.

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