Washington Notice of Small Claim (MISC 05.0100): What Each Section Means

Form MISC 05.0100 is the only paper most Washington small claims defendants ever receive. It combines the summons, the hearing notice, and the plaintiff's statement of claim into a single document — revised statewide in January 2025 by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

If you're looking for a separate "response form" to fill out and send back, there isn't one. Washington small claims procedure under RCW 12.40.090 uses informal pleadings. Your obligation is to appear at the hearing, not to file a written answer.

Section 1: The Caption

The top of the form identifies the specific District Court division, the county, and the case number. It names both parties — the claimant (plaintiff) and the respondent (you). Write down the case number; you'll need it for every interaction with the court clerk.

Section 2: The Hearing Notice

This is the section that matters most. It states the date, time, and location where you must appear. Depending on the county, this could be a physical courtroom address or a Zoom link. King County District Court runs pre-trial hearings on Zoom. Spokane County requires in-person attendance. The form also warns — in bold — that failing to appear may result in a default judgment for the full amount claimed plus costs.

The hearing must be scheduled at least 10 calendar days after you were served. If you were served fewer than 10 days before the hearing date, you have grounds to challenge the service at your first appearance.

Section 3: The Statement of Claim

The plaintiff fills this out under penalty of perjury. It lists the principal sum claimed, any accrued interest, the date the obligation allegedly became due, and a category checkbox: Faulty Workmanship, Merchandise, Auto Damage, Wages, Loan, Return of Deposit, Rent, Property Damage, or Other. This section also includes a declaration about your military status under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Read the claim amount and category carefully. If the plaintiff is a business entity (corporation, LLC, or partnership), the maximum claim is $5,000 under RCW 12.40.010. If they're an individual, it's $10,000. A claim filed above those limits is outside the court's jurisdiction.

Why There's No Response Form

Defendants who Google "Washington small claims response form" find nothing official because Washington doesn't require one. The statewide AOC form repository has no mandatory defendant answer document. Under RCW 12.40.090, pleadings in small claims are informal — you present your side verbally at the hearing.

Some county courts have local forms or filing procedures for specific situations (counterclaims, fee waivers, continuances). Ask the clerk what applies; none replace the basic requirement to show up on the date printed on your MISC 05.0100.

What to Do After Reading Your Notice

1. Verify the case number with the court clerk or the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal
2. Mark the hearing date, time, and location on your calendar
3. Count back from the hearing date — were you served at least 10 days prior?
4. Start gathering documents related to the dispute described in the claim
5. Decide whether you want to dispute, settle, or file a counterclaim

The Washington Small Claims Response Guide includes a MISC 05.0100 decoder worksheet that walks through each field on the form and connects it to the deadlines and steps that follow.

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