Complaints—Required contents.

(1) A default judgment in an action to which this chapter applies may be entered only if the complaint or amended complaint complies with this section and includes the notice required under RCW 4.74.040.(2) If the plaintiff amends a complaint before a responsive pleading is made, causing it to comply with this section or include the notice required under RCW 4.74.040 where it did not previously, the personal jurisdiction of the court over the defendant is voided and is acquired again only when the amended complaint is served on the defendant as though it was the original complaint.(3) The complaint or amended complaint must state:(a) The name and the last known city, county, state, and zip code portions of the address of each consumer named in the complaint in the records of the creditor;(b) For medical debt, the name of the provider or facility associated with the debt on the itemization date;(c) The name of the creditor, including any merchant brand, affinity brand, or facility name associated with the debt;(d) At least the last four digits of the account number or other account identifier used by the creditor in communicating with the consumer before the itemization date;(e) The date of the last payment, if applicable, or the date of the last transaction;(f) The date of charge off or, if the debt was not charged off, the date of default;(g) The amount of the outstanding balance;(h) The amount of the judgment the plaintiff seeks, stating the outstanding balance and itemizing the following amounts not included in the outstanding balance:(i) Total finance charges;(ii) Total fees or costs; and(iii) Total credits and payments;(i) Whether the amount of the judgment may increase due to accrued interest, attorney fees, or other amounts;(j) The authority of the plaintiff to commence the action;(k) Facts sufficient to demonstrate that, to the plaintiff's knowledge, the action is being commenced in a proper venue;(l) Facts sufficient to demonstrate that the action is being commenced within the statute of limitation period applicable to the debt; and(m) If the plaintiff is bringing an action to recover purchased debt on behalf of a person who holds purchased debt:(i) That the action is being brought by, or for the benefit of, a person that is engaged in the business of purchasing debt for collection purposes;(ii) The date the debt was purchased;(iii) The identity of the person from whom or which the debt was purchased;(iv) That the plaintiff may have purchased this debt for less than the value stated in the complaint;(v) If the debt was at any time sold without any representation or warranty of accuracy, a statement to that effect; and(vi) If the account is not a revolving credit account, the date the debt was incurred.(4) Subject to authentication that satisfies the requirements of rule 803(a)(6) of the rules of evidence and RCW 5.45.020 or is otherwise authorized by law or rule, the plaintiff must attach to the complaint or amended complaint:(a) At least one of the following that is sufficient to demonstrate the existence of the consumer debt:(i) A copy of an agreement signed by the consumer evidencing the original debt;(ii) A copy of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase, payment, or extension of credit; or(iii) A record otherwise demonstrating the debt was incurred;(b) If the action is to recover purchased debt, a copy of the assignment or other writing establishing that the person asserting ownership of the debt is the owner of the debt. If the debt was assigned more than once, each assignment or other writing evidencing transfer of ownership must be attached to establish an unbroken chain of ownership, beginning with the original creditor to the first person who held purchased debt and each subsequent sale;(c) If the action is based on a credit card debt for which a signed writing evidencing the original debt does not exist, a copy of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase transaction, payment, or other extension of credit; and(d) If the action is based on a breach of contract, a copy of the terms and conditions in place at the time of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase transaction, payment, or extension of credit must also be attached.[ 2026 c 107 s 5.]Notes:Effective date—2026 c 107: See note following RCW 4.74.900.