Group 3: Pleadings and Motions · Last amended April 28, 2015 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 10 governs the physical form of pleadings — what the caption must contain, how to name unknown defendants or heirs, how paragraphs and exhibits are organized, and a set of recommended formatting practices for every filing.
(a)Caption. Every pleading shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the court, the title of the action, the file number if known to the person signing it, and an identification as to the nature of the pleading or other paper.
(1)Names of parties. In the complaint the title of the action shall include the names of all the parties, but in other pleadings it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties.
(2)Unknown names. When the plaintiff is ignorant of the name of the defendant, it shall be so stated in the plaintiff’s pleading, and such defendant may be designated in any pleading or proceeding by any name, and when the defendant’s true name shall be discovered, the pleading or proceeding may be amended accordingly.
(3)Unknown heirs. When the heirs of any deceased person are proper parties defendant to any action relating to real property in this state, and when the names and residences of such heirs are unknown, such heirs may be proceeded against under the name and title of the “unknown heirs” of the deceased. In any action brought to determine any adverse claim, estate, lien, or interest in real property, or to quiet title to real property, unknown parties shall be designated as “also all other persons or parties unknown claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described in the complaint herein.”
(b)Paragraphs; separate statements. All averments of claim or defense shall be made in numbered paragraphs, the contents of each of which shall be limited as far as practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances; and a paragraph may be referred to by number in all succeeding pleadings. Each claim founded upon a separate transaction or occurrence, and each defense other than denials, shall be stated in a separate count or defense whenever a separation facilitates the clear presentation of the matters set forth.
(c)Adoption by reference; exhibits. Statements in a pleading may be adopted by reference in a different part of the same pleading or in another pleading or in any motion. A copy of any written instrument which is an exhibit to a pleading is a part thereof for all purposes.
(e)Format recommendations. It is recommended that all pleadings and other papers include or provide for the following:
(1)Service and filing. Space should be left at the top of the first page to provide on the right half space for the clerk’s filing stamp, and space at the left half for acknowledging the receipt of copies.
(2)Title. All pleadings under the space under the docket number should contain a title indicating their
purpose and party presenting them. For example:
USE DO NOT USE
Petition for Dissolution Petition
Defendant’s Motion for Support, etc. Motion
Order for Support Order
Plaintiff ’s Trial Brief Trial Brief
(3)Bottom notation. At the left side of the bottom of each page of all pleadings and other papers an abbreviated name of the pleading or other paper should be repeated, followed by the page number. At the right side of the bottom of the first page of each pleading or other paper the name, mailing address and telephone number of the attorney or firm preparing the paper should be printed or typed.
(4)Typed names. The names of all persons signing a pleading or other paper should be typed under their signatures.
(5)Headings and subheadings. Headings and subheadings should be used for all paragraphs which shall be numbered with roman and/or arabic numerals.
(6)Numbered paper. Use numbered paper.
(f)Personal identifiers prohibited. [Reserved. See GR 31(e).]
Prior: 10(a) through 10(c), RPPP Rule 10; 10(e), RPPP Rule 8.04(1) 1st and 2nd sentences. Adopted May 5, 1967, amended June 28, 1967, effective July 1, 1967; amended, adopted June 12, 1989; effective Sept. 1, 1990; amended, effective Sept. 1, 2000; amended, effective September 1, 2007; amended, effective April 28, 2015.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 10 covers the mechanics of putting a pleading together. Every pleading needs a caption naming the court, the title of the action, the file number if known, and an identification of what kind of pleading it is. The complaint must list every party's name in its title; later pleadings can shorten that to the first party on each side plus an indication that others are involved. When a plaintiff doesn't know a defendant's real name, the rule allows suing that defendant under any name and amending later once the real name is discovered — the familiar "unknown heirs" device works the same way for real property cases where the heirs of a deceased person can't be identified by name.
Substance gets organized too. Averments belong in numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as practical to a single set of circumstances, and later pleadings can refer back to a paragraph by number. Claims or defenses arising from separate transactions should be split into separate counts when doing so makes the case clearer. A pleading can also adopt earlier statements by reference, and any written instrument attached as an exhibit becomes part of the pleading for all purposes.
The rule then recommends — rather than requires — a set of formatting conventions: room at the top of the first page for the clerk's filing stamp, a plain-language title describing the paper's purpose (a "Motion for Support," not just "Motion"), a footer with the pleading's short name, page number, and preparer's contact information, typed names under signatures, numbered headings, and numbered paper. Some subjects that once lived in Rule 10 — mandatory format requirements, redaction of personal identifiers, and citation to unpublished opinions — are now handled by the General Rules referenced in the text rather than by this rule directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a caption include?
The name of the court, the title of the action, the file number if known, and an identification of the nature of the pleading or paper. The complaint must name every party; later pleadings can name just the first party on each side.
How do I sue a defendant whose name I don't know?
State in the pleading that the defendant's name is unknown, designate that defendant by any name, and amend the pleading once the true name is discovered.
What is the "unknown heirs" designation?
It lets a plaintiff proceed against the heirs of a deceased person in a real property case when their names and residences can't be determined, naming them as the "unknown heirs" or, in quiet title actions, as unknown claimants to the property.
Do pleading paragraphs need to be numbered?
Yes. All averments should be in numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as practical to one set of circumstances, so later pleadings can refer back to a specific numbered paragraph.
Are the formatting recommendations in Rule 10(e) mandatory?
No, the rule frames them as recommendations — a filing stamp margin, a descriptive title, a footer with page numbers and preparer contact information, typed names, numbered headings, and numbered paper — rather than strict requirements.
Where do I find the actual format and redaction requirements?
Rule 10 reserves those subjects to the General Rules — format requirements to GR 14, personal identifier redaction to GR 31(e), and unpublished opinion citation to GR 14.1 — rather than spelling them out itself.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Washington Superior Court Civil Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Washington. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:Washington pleading caption requirementshow to sue an unknown defendant in Washingtonunknown heirs real property lawsuitnumbered paragraphs pleading format WashingtonCR 10 pleading form ruleshow to attach an exhibit to a pleading