Skagit County Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit set

When a party will appear remotely for trial, the original exhibit set must include a completed Exhibit Notebook Certification form, and every exhibit copy must include a copy of the certification.

In cases where one or more parties will appear remotely for trial, the original set of exhibits shall be accompanied by a completed Exhibit Notebook Certification form located in the Forms section on the Superior Court website. All copies of the exhibits shall be accompanied by a copy of the Exhibit Notebook Certification.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for appointment of attorney

A party seeking appointment of an attorney under RCW 11.130.200 must file a motion using Form GDN ALL 021.

Any party seeking appointment of an attorney under RCW 11.130.200 shall file a motion for appointment of an attorney (GDN ALL 021).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Supporting declarations must be filed and served with the motion and note for calendar.

All supporting declarations shall be filed and served with the motion and note for calendar.

CRITICAL

Applies to

JIS request form

The JIS form must state the hearing date for the order presentation or trial.

The form shall be submitted no less than three days prior to the date of presentation of final orders and shall include the hearing date of the order presentation or trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arbitration transfer

A case may be transferred to arbitration only by court order, obtained at the scheduled hearing or through a stipulation and order agreed to by all parties.

Cases shall be transferred to arbitration only by court order. Such order may be secured: (1) At the hearing scheduled pursuant to 2.1(a) above, or (2) By stipulation and order agreed to by all parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of readiness

A notice of readiness must identify the case and original judge and certify readiness; the matter will not be brought before a judge until the notice is filed and a copy is provided to the Court Administrator.

Either party, after expiration of ten (10) days following filing and service of the motion, may file and serve on opposing counsel and the Court Administrator, a notice containing the case heading, a designation of the judge making the original ruling, and certifying that the matter is ready for a ruling on the motion for reconsideration. The matter will not be brought before a judge until a Notice of Readiness is filed by any party and a copy is provided to the Court Administrator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion and order

When filing the action, petitioners must submit a motion and order directing DCYF to release information for each petitioner, proposed guardian, and adult resident of their homes.

At the time of filing the action, the petitioner(s) shall submit a motion and order directing the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to release information as provided under RCW 13.50.100 and RCW 11.130.210 for each petitioner, each proposed guardian, and each person 18 years of age or older who resides in the home of the proposed guardian or petitioner(s).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Family law final documents

Unrepresented litigants who are not assisted by a Limited Licensed Legal Technician must have specified final family-law documents reviewed by the Courthouse Facilitator before presentation.

Litigants, married or unmarried, who are not currently represented by an attorney or assisted by a Limited Licensed Legal Technician, are required to meet with the Courthouse Facilitator on all final decrees, final orders and accompanying findings of fact and conclusions of law, parenting plans, orders of child support, and child support worksheets for family law cases involving children. The Courthouse Facilitator must review the documents for form and completeness prior to presentation to a judicial officer at a hearing or trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Presentation hearing

The party designated to prepare an order must provide the transcript of the oral ruling; if no party was designated, the prevailing party must provide it.

The party designated to prepare an order shall provide a transcript of the court’s oral ruling. If no party was designated to prepare the order, the prevailing party shall provide the transcript.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Provisional appointment orders and related documents

Copies of provisional appointment orders and the specified related documents must be left with Superior Court Administration for distribution to provisionally appointed attorneys.

Copies of provisional appointment orders and other documents listed above in (1) shall be left with Superior Court Administration, which will provide those nonconformed copies to the provisionally appointed attorneys.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written statement of issues

Legal parties must provide all parties and file a written statement of issues responding to the court report or proposed order at least seven days before the hearing.

The legal parties shall provide to all parties and file a written statement of issues in response to the court report and/or proposed order at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

When delivering a proposed order in person or by mail, the submitting party must attach a cover sheet stating the scheduled hearing’s date and time and the proposing party’s name.

(1) Hard Copies. When delivering in person or by mail. The submitting party shall attach a cover sheet to the order including the date and time of the scheduled hearing and the name of the party proposing the order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor name change petition

A minor petitioner must provide photo ID at the hearing; school identification may be used if other forms are unavailable.

If the minor petitions for their own name change, a form of photo identification (which may include identification from a school if other forms of identification are unavailable) shall be provided at the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order to show cause

The Order to Show Cause must include the specified tenant notice, Attachment A, in English and Spanish.

(i) IMPORTANT NOTICE TO TENANTS CONCERNING SCHEDULED COURT HEARING TO SHOW CAUSE AND HOW TO ACCESS LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND VIRTUAL PROCEEDINGS, which is attached to this rule and incorporated herein as Attachment A, and

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit notebook certification

After a remote trial has been approved by the court under SCLCR 39, in cases where one or more parties will appear remotely for trial, the original set of exhibits shall be accompanied by a completed Exhibit Notebook Certification, located on the Superior Court webpage under the Forms section. All copies of the certification shall be accompanied by a copy of the Exhibit Notebook Certification.

After a remote trial has been approved by the court under SCLCR 39, in cases where one or more parties will appear remotely for trial, the original set of exhibits shall be accompanied by a completed Exhibit Notebook Certification, located on the Superior Court webpage under the Forms section. All copies of the certification shall be accompanied by a copy of the Exhibit Notebook Certification.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

The moving party must supply the court with a proposed order for each hearing in accordance with SCLR 7(e)(3).

The moving party must supply the court with proposed orders for each hearing in conformance with SCLR 7(e)(3).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial confirmation form

The Pre-Trial Confirmation Form must certify that all CrR 3.6, CrR 3.5, and dispositive pre-trial motions have been conducted.

The parties shall certify on the Pre-Trial Confirmation Form that all CrR 3.6, CrR 3.5, and dispositive pre-trial motions have been conducted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Foreign language document

A Spanish or other foreign-language document filed in the court file must include an English translation and a sworn declaration identifying the translator and their translation or interpreting experience and credentials.

Any documents filed in the court file in Spanish, or any other foreign language, must be accompanied by a translated version in English with a sworn declaration identifying the name of the person who conducted the translation, as well as information about their experience and any credentials with translating and/or interpreting.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Amended case schedule

The moving party must prepare and present a proposed Amended Case Schedule to the court for signature.

The moving party shall prepare and present to the court for signature a proposed Amended Case Schedule in the same manner as proposed orders are to be submitted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardian ad litem appointment

Every guardian ad litem appointment must use the form required by the court.

Appointment of a guardian ad litem in all cases shall be on the form required by the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Objection to minor guardianship

A person entitled to notice who objects to a guardian’s appointment must promptly file and serve a completed Objection to Minor Guardianship, Form GDN M 301, on all other persons entitled to notice.

Any person entitled to notice under RCW 11.130 who objects to the appointment of a guardian shall promptly file and serve on all other persons entitled to notice a completed “Objection to Minor Guardianship,” GDN M 301.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation completion certification

A completed-mediation certification must be filed before trial or the matter may be stricken.

Certification of completed mediation must be filed prior to trial or the matter is subject to being stricken by the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Sealing order

An order sealing the documents must state that they were presented to the court for in camera review.

The order sealing shall indicate the documents were presented to the court for in camera review.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court order

Specified child-support, custody, parenting-plan, and paternity orders must include the child's full name.

Court orders concerning the financial support or the custody or residential schedule of a child (including temporary and permanent parenting plans and similar documents) and orders establishing, or disestablishing paternity shall include the full name of the child.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order to show cause

Orders to Show Cause in the specified unlawful-detainer actions must have the required attachments in both English and Spanish.

The Plaintiff shall attach to all Orders to Show Cause issued in all residential, post-foreclosure and manufactured and mobile home unlawful detainer actions the following in English and Spanish:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

A motion to continue beyond the 75th day must include a declaration of exceptional circumstances unless the court permits otherwise.

A motion to continue beyond the 75th day shall be supported by a declaration of exceptional circumstances, or as otherwise permitted by the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Disclosure of bankruptcy or criminal history

Each proposed guardian must submit a Disclosure of Bankruptcy or Criminal History using Form GDN ALL 002.

All proposed guardians must submit a Disclosure of Bankruptcy or Criminal History as provided under RCW 11.130.085. Form GDN ALL 002 shall be used.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Interpreter request form

Parties who need an interpreter must complete the Interpreter Request form and provide it to Court Administration five days before the hearing.

All parties with Limited English Proficiency or who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind who need a spoken language and/or sign language interpreter to participate in court proceedings shall complete the Interpreter Request form located on the Superior Court webpage or at Court Administration, and provide the form to Court Administration five (5) days before their court hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor guardianship child support or relocation filing

Until minor-guardianship forms are developed for child support and relocation, parties must use family-law forms and worksheets and submit the documentation required for those issues in family-law cases.

Until forms are developed for child support and relocation within minor guardianships, parties shall use the family law forms and worksheets and submit all documentation as required for family law cases related to those issues.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

When proposing an order for a second competency restoration period, the parties must also propose an order setting a trial date within the required timeframe if competency restoration remains an issue at the period’s conclusion.

(5) Competency Proceedings. When proposing an order for a second competency restoration period, the parties shall also propose an order setting a trial date within the required timeframe should competency restoration still be an issue at the conclusion that restoration period.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summary judgment motion

A party moving for summary judgment against an unrepresented party must file and serve the court-approved notice with its supporting papers and serve current copies of CR 56 and SCLCR 56.

Notice to Non-Moving Pro Se Litigants. Any party moving for summary judgment against a party proceeding without an attorney of record at the time when the summary judgment motion was filed shall serve and file a notice entitled “What is a Summary Judgment Motion? Notice for Parties Who Do Not Have a Lawyer” with the papers in support of the motion. This form shall be on a form approved by the court and available on the Superior Court’s website. Along with this notice, the moving party shall also serve a current copy of CR 56 and this local rule (SCLCR 56).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Property owner landlord or counsel certification

The property owner, landlord, or counsel certifies under penalty of perjury that notice of intent to file an unlawful-detainer complaint and the tenant’s last known contact information were sent to Skagit Legal Aid before filing.

I certify and declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that on ________________(the date prior to filing), I e-mailed/mailed notice of my intent to file a Complaint in Unlawful Detainer against Tenant __________________________ (insert Tenant’s name) along with the Tenant’s last known contact information (i.e. address(es), telephone number(s) and e-mail(s), and preferred communication language) to Skagit Legal Aid.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Page limit expansion request

A party seeking to exceed the page limits must obtain prior court approval by filing a written request explaining specifically why more pages are needed and how many are requested.

Parties requesting expansion of the page limits set forth above must have prior court approval before exceeding those limits. This shall be accomplished by filing a written request that explains with specificity the reason why the page limitations need to be exceeded and how many additional pages are requested to be submitted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial conference summary

The parties must submit the Pretrial Conference Summary form at least one court day before the conference; a party that previously submitted a witness list need list only supplemental witnesses and their contact information.

At least one court day before the pre-trial conference, the parties must complete and submit the Pretrial Conference Summary form located in the Forms section on the Superior Court webpage. If a party had previously submitted a witness list, it is only required to list any supplemental witnesses and their contact information in this form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion or declaration

More expansive explanations, or explanations requiring exhibits, must be presented in a separate motion, declaration, or both.

More expansive explanations or those requiring the submission of exhibits shall be presented in a separate motion and/or declaration.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor guardianship calendar note

Parties must use the calendar note provided on the Skagit County Superior Court website.

The parties shall utilize the note for calendar set forth on the Skagit County Superior Court website.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

An unlawful-detainer complaint must include the rental agreement or lease, if any, and a month-to-month tenancy converted from a lease requires a copy of the underlying lease.

(i) A copy of the rental agreement or lease upon which the tenancy is based, if any, shall be filed with the complaint. A complaint that involves a month-to-month tenancy that is the result of a conversion from a lease shall include a copy of the underlying lease.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Action document

Must include

caption

Action documents must have a special caption and specify the requested action on the first page.

Pleadings or other documents requiring action on the part of the clerk/court (other than file stamping, docketing and entry in the court file) shall be considered action documents. Action documents must contain special caption and specify the action required on the first page.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case scheduling order

Upon filing a notice of appeal, the moving party must prepare a case scheduling order.

The moving party shall prepare a case scheduling order upon filing a notice of appeal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order to show cause

The Order to Show Cause must include the Court Administrator’s current Request for Interpreter Services form in English and Spanish.

(ii) Request for Interpreter Services form as maintained and updated by the Court Administrator’s office.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Confidential information form

For cases filed under Title 26, the Confidential Information Form or similar document must include the child's complete name and other identifiers.

The complete names of children and other identifiers shall be included in the Confidential Information Form or similar document for cases filed under Title 26.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Presentation hearing filings

For a presentation hearing, each party must file proposed orders and a statement of disputed issues, and the designated preparer—or, if none, the prevailing party—must provide the oral-ruling transcript.

Each party shall file, in accordance with SCLCR 6(d)(2), their proposed order(s) and a statement of issues they have with the opposing party’s proposed order. The party designated to prepare an order shall provide a transcript of the court’s oral ruling. If no party was designated to prepare the order, the prevailing party shall provide the transcript.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

The unlawful-detainer complaint must include copies of the required statutory and court-ordered notices and proof that they were served or mailed.

(ix) A copy of the notices required under RCW 59.12, et seq. and any notice required pursuant to any standing order of this court and proof of service or mailing of the aforementioned notices.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor name change petition

A name-change petitioner must provide the specified information and documents or explain why they are unavailable.

The petitioner shall provide the following or an explanation of why the following are not available:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

If the property or unit receives federal, state, or tribal subsidy, the complaint must identify the program and nature of the subsidy.

(vii) If the property or housing unit is federally, state or tribally subsidized in any manner (including but not limited to Section 8 housing, Public Housing, Rural Development housing, or Low-Income Tax Credit Program) the name of the program and nature of the subsidy shall be included in the complaint.

CRITICAL

Unless otherwise ordered under GR 31, filings in a criminal or juvenile offender matter must include the complete name of a child charged with a crime when required for the specified purposes.

Unless otherwise ordered under GR 31, the complete name of a child charged with a crime shall be included in any indictment or information filed with the court pursuant to CrR 2.1 or JuCR 7.2, as part of an affidavit or declaration of probable cause or for any other purpose deemed necessary for the prosecution or defense of the criminal or juvenile offender matter.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pro se final papers

Pro se dissolution final papers must be reviewed and set on the designated calendar with nine court days’ notice; they may be presented without an appearance if accompanied by the specified notarized affidavit.

Final papers in pro se dissolution matters must be set on the designated agreed dissolution calendar with nine (9) court days’ notice after being reviewed the Courthouse Facilitator and may be presented without appearance required if accompanied by an affidavit of one of the parties setting forth jurisdictional facts and signed by the family law facilitator and one or both parties before a Notary Public.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Ex parte proposed orders must be submitted to the Skagit County Clerk’s Office under its procedures and must not be sent to the proposed-orders email address.

Proposed orders for the ex parte calendar shall be submitted to the Skagit County Clerk’s Office according to their procedures and not sent to the proposed orders email address.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit declaration brief or legal memorandum

For qualifying filings, the scheduled hearing’s date and time must appear in the upper-right corner of the first page, except on proposed orders.

The date and time of the scheduled hearing shall be listed on the upper right corner of the first page other than for proposed orders.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Action document

Action documents must contain a special caption and specify the required action on the first page.

(a) Action documents. Pleadings or other documents requiring action on the part of the clerk/court (other than file stamping, docketing and entry in the court file) shall be considered action documents. Action documents must contain special caption and specify the action required on the first page.