Skagit County Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order appointing guardian ad litem

The Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem or a later order must address fees and expenses as provided by statute.

The court shall make provisions for fees and expenses pursuant to statute in the Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem or in any subsequent order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Family law trial request

A family-law trial request must certify completion of discovery, any applicable guardian ad litem report and expert evaluations, and the noting parent’s completion of the parenting seminar.

Parties submitting a request for a family law trial shall certify that discovery has been completed by both parties and that no outstanding discovery remains; the guardian ad litem report, if applicable, has been completed and filed; expert evaluations, if applicable, have been completed and filed, and the parent noting the case for trial has completed the parenting seminar.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion calendar note

Motion Calendar notes must comply with SCLCR 84.

All Notes for the Motion Calendar must comply with SCLCR 84.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor guardianship action

To commence a minor guardianship action, file the specified summons, petition, confidential information form, declaration, and JIS background-check coversheet, except in matters converted from RCW 26.10 matters.

All minor guardianship actions shall be commenced by the filing of a summons, petition, confidential information form, declaration explaining reasons for minor guardianship, and coversheet for a JIS background check. This requirement does not apply to matters converted from RCW 26.10 matters.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to shorten time

Must include

proposed order

A motion to shorten time must be accompanied by a proposed order.

The motion to shorten time shall be accompanied by a proposed order to that effect.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial submissions

The parties must provide their exhibits, motions in limine, trial briefs, original sealed depositions, and proposed final orders to Court Administration by noon on the court day before trial.

The parties shall provide their exhibits, as detailed in (2), motions in limine, trial briefs, original sealed depositions, and proposed final orders to Court Administration by 12:00 p.m. on the court day before trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

The complaint must include an Attachment B-form certification that the plaintiff notified Skagit Legal Aid before filing the action.

(viii) A certification that the plaintiff notified Skagit Legal Aid prior to the filing of this action in the form of Attachment B which is attached to this rule.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Remote witness exhibits

If a witness will appear remotely, exhibits the witness may be expected to refer to must be provided to that witness by noon the day before the witness testifies.

Where one or more witnesses will appear remotely, exhibits that witness may be expected to refer to during questioning shall be provided to that witness by noon the day before each witness’s testimony.

CRITICAL

Applies to

JIS request

An additional party seeking intervention or entitled to notice must ensure that the Clerk’s Office and Court Administration receive a JIS request for all adults in that party’s home.

Any additional party requesting intervention or who has a right to notice in the proceeding shall ensure a JIS request is provided to the Clerk’s Office and Court Administration for all adults in their home.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Juvenile sealing order

Whenever a charge is dismissed or the respondent is acquitted, the prosecutor must immediately file the specified form sealing the records.

Any time a charge is dismissed or acquitted, the prosecutor shall immediately file with the court, court form “Order Re: Sealing Records of Juvenile Offender (ORSF, ORSFD),” sealing the records.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor name change petition

An adult petitioner must present available documentation of their relationship to the minor and disclose and provide available copies of specified orders related to the adult and child.

If someone other than the minor petitions for a name change, they shall present documentation, as available, to demonstrate their relationship to the minor. The adult Petitioner shall also disclose and provide copies, as available, of any protection orders or no- contact orders, parenting plans, guardianship orders, and dependency-related orders related to them and the child.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Reconsideration motion

A reconsideration motion must state its specific grounds, supporting arguments and authorities, and the judge who made the ruling.

The motion must set forth specific grounds for the reconsideration, and the arguments and authorities in support thereof, and designation of the judge making the ruling.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Juror questionnaire

If the court approves a juror questionnaire, sufficient copies for the jury pool must be provided to Court Administration by noon one court day before trial.

If approved by the court, sufficient copies for the jury pool must be provided to Court Administration by noon one court day prior to trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Declaration or affidavit

Declarations or affidavits referring to electronic exchanges must identify the source and date; a full exchange may be attached for context if labeled accordingly, while unreferenced messages will not be read and will be stricken.

(2) Electronic Exchanges. If the declarations or affidavits quote or reference electronic exchanges (e- mails, text messages, etc...), the source and date of the exchange shall be included. The full version of the electronic communication may be attached as an exhibit for context only and will not count against the page limit if labeled as such for that limited purpose. If the text or email exchange is not quoted or referenced in the declarations, the messages will not be read and will be stricken.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial confirmation form

A party seeking to confirm a case for trial must send a completed Pre-Trial Confirmation Form to Court Administration by the Trial Confirmation hearing.

By the Trial Confirmation hearing, any party wishing to confirm the case for trial must send a completed Pre-Trial Confirmation Form, located on the Superior Court webpage under the Forms section, to Court Administration.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Filing

The scheduled hearing’s date and time must appear in the upper-right corner of the first page.

The date and time of the scheduled hearing shall be listed on the upper right corner of the first page.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardian ad litem training proof

Applicants must provide proof of completing the guardian ad litem training required by Title 11 and/or Title 26.

All applicants to the guardian ad litem registry must provide proof of successful completion of guardian ad litem trainings as required by Title 11 and/or Title 26.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Informal family law trial objection

A party withdrawing or objecting to an IFLT must promptly notify Court Administration and the other parties and file position documents with the clerk if trial assignment is pending or a trial date has been assigned; the case then proceeds to a traditional trial.

If any party withdraws their agreement or otherwise objects to an IFLT, the case shall instead proceed to a traditional trial. If a case is pending trial assignment or has already been assigned a trial date, the party wishing to withdraw agreement to an IFLT shall promptly notify Court Administration in addition to notifying other parties and filing documents with the clerk indicating their position.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

A lessor- or sublessor-plaintiff must state that status in the complaint.

(iii) Plaintiff lessors and sublessors must state their status as lessor or sublessor in their complaint.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor name change petition

The petition must provide the positions of all parents and legal guardians regarding the name change, or explain why their positions were not requested.

Information about the position of all parents and legal guardians with respect to the name change, or why such positions have not been requested.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing exhibit

A party seeking consideration and admission of an exhibit at a hearing must submit a duplicate copy to Court Administration and all legal parties.

If a party wishes for its exhibit to be considered and admitted at a hearing, they shall submit a duplicate copy of the item to Court Administration and all legal parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor guardianship matter

Minor guardianship matters under RCW 11.130 must be noted for the guardianship calendar as directed and must follow the referenced filing rules.

All minor guardianship matters filed under RCW 11.130 shall be noted for the guardianship calendar on the dates and times directed by the court calendar and shall follow all filing rules set forth in SCLSPR 94.04.2 and SCLCR 6.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Attorneys providing public defense representation must file certifications of compliance under CrR 3.1 or risk removal from noncompliant cases.

SCLCrR 3.1(d)(4) Attorneys who engage in public defense representation shall file certifications of compliance as set forth under CrR 3.1 or will be subject to removal from representation on noncompliant cases.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Criminal history report

Petitioners must file the required Washington State Patrol criminal history report results with the action and promptly serve them on everyone entitled to notice.

At the time of filing the action, the petitioner(s) shall file the results of a Washington State Patrol criminal history report as required by RCW 11.130.210 and then promptly serve the results on all persons entitled to notice under RCW 11.130.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation completion certificate

Mediation must be completed before the final dissolution hearing or trial, and the mediator-signed completion certification must be filed with the clerk; failure to complete mediation before trial results in the trial being stricken.

Prior to a final dissolution hearing or the trial date, mediation must be completed. Failure to complete mediation, prior to the trial date, will result in the trial being stricken. A certification of completion signed by the mediator shall be filed with the clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial documentary exhibit

When a documentary exhibit is needed to understand an issue during witness examination at trial, the party must provide extra copies to opposing counsel and the court.

When a documentary exhibit is used at trial during witness examination and reference to the contents of the exhibit is necessary to understand the issues, the party shall provide extra copies of the exhibit to opposing counsel and the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance order

An order continuing the hearing beyond 75 days must specifically identify the exceptional circumstances found by the court.

The order continuing the hearing beyond 75 days shall identify with specificity the exceptional circumstances found by the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

JIS request form

Before requesting any temporary order, including an emergency order, the petitioner must file a sealed JIS request form with the clerk containing the listed parties’ names and birth dates.

Prior to any request for a temporary order, including emergency orders under RCW 11.130.215, the Petitioner shall file a JIS request form with the clerk under seal, providing the names and dates of birth of the following parties: (1) Petitioner(s); (2) any adult residing the Petitioner’s home; (3) Minor’s Parent(s); (4) Any adult residing in the Parents’ homes; (5) proposed guardian(s); (6) any adult residing in the proposed guardian’s home.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Provisional appointment order

Must include

proposed order

The Attorney General’s Office must present a proposed provisional attorney appointment order when the petition and hearing note are filed.

Upon filing the petition and note for shelter care hearing, the Attorney General’s Office shall also present an order of provisional appointment of attorney which proposes to appoint the next attorney(s) listed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Parenting-plan motions must include a proposed plan and supporting declaration; child-support motions must include worksheets, and child-support or maintenance motions must include specified financial documents, which are excluded from the page limits.

(1) Parenting Plans. All motions requesting entry of a parenting plan, residential schedule or other order regarding child placement, shall be accompanied by a proposed parenting plan and declaration in support of parenting plan. The proposed parenting plan or other proposed orders shall not count toward the page limit. (2) Financial Requests. Motions requesting child support must be accompanied by child support worksheets. Motions requesting child support or maintenance shall be accompanied by a financial declaration, proof of income of the parties including the party’s most recent pay or income information and tax returns with all attachments. Financial records required in this section shall not count toward the page limits.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Registry application

To remain on the registry, a person must maintain a current application with attachments, subject to removal or suspension under Section VI.

A person shall remain on the registry unless the person fails to maintain a current application with attachments, or the person is removed or suspended as set forth in Section VI.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Primary witness disclosure

Each party must disclose by the discovery cutoff every person with relevant factual or expert knowledge whom it may call as a trial witness.

Each party shall, no later than the discovery cutoff, disclose all persons with relevant factual or expert knowledge whom the party reserves the option to call as witnesses at trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition and order

When a child is a respondent in a specified order, the petition and order must include the child's full name and other personal identifiers as necessary for JIS or WACIC entry.

Whenever a child is named as a respondent in an order listed in (3) above, the child’s full name and other personal identifiers shall be included on the petition and order as necessary for entry of the order in the Judicial Information System (JIS) and/or the Washington Crime Information Center (WACIC).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed jury instructions

When trial begins, trial counsel must give the judge two copies of proposed jury instructions—one cited and one uncited—with plaintiff instructions numbered in pencil at the lower left and defendant instructions numbered in pencil at the lower right.

Trial counsel shall provide two copies of their proposed jury instructions to the judge when trial begins. One copy shall be cited and the other uncited, with the plaintiff’s proposed instructions numbered in pencil in the lower left corner and the defendant’s proposed instructions numbered in pencil in the lower right corner.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor guardianship filing

Parties must use mandatory Washington Courts forms unless Skagit County has adopted and posted an alternate form.

Mandatory forms available from the Washington Courts’ website shall be used unless Skagit County has adopted and posted an alternate form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for good cause finding

A motion seeking the specified good-cause finding must include an affidavit and the moving party’s proposed order.

A motion for such a good cause finding shall be accompanied by an affidavit and proposed order by the moving party. [Amended September 1, 2025]

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

If no response is filed, the Demand for Arbitration is granted and an order transferring the cause to arbitration must be presented.

In the absence of such response, the Demand for Arbitration shall be granted, and an order presented transferring the cause to arbitration.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance request

A written continuance request must be filed under SCLCR 6(d)(2) or made by agreement of all parties and must identify the 75th day from the petition’s filing.

Any request for continuance of the fact-finding hearing shall be made in writing, filed under the timing rules set forth in SCLCR 6(d)(2), or by agreement of all parties,and shall identify the 75th day from the filing of the petition.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardian ad litem appointment order

Each guardian ad litem appointment order must state the hourly compensation rate and, if determined, the source of payment.

Each order appointing guardian ad litem shall set forth the hourly rate of compensation for the investigative/guardian ad litem work; source of payment, if determined.

CRITICAL

Complete names of children must be used in cases deemed confidential under the specified statutes, except offender cases under Title 13 RCW.

The complete names of children shall be used in cases that are deemed confidential pursuant to state or federal statutes, including cases filed pursuant to Title 13 RCW (excluding offender cases); Chapter 4.24 RCW, Chapter 26.33 (Adoption) and Chapter 71.34 (Mental Health Services for Minors).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Reconsideration motion materials

Must include

proposed order

Each party must include a proposed order sustaining that party’s position with its submitted materials.

Each party shall prepare and include in the materials submitted, a proposed order sustaining their position on the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Modified case schedule

An agreed Case Schedule modification must be prepared and signed by the parties and submitted to the ex parte or regular motions calendar.

Agreed modifications of the Case Schedule shall be prepared and signed by the parties. The modified Case Schedule shall be submitted to the ex parte calendar or on the regular motions calendar.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order to show cause

An Order to Show Cause must explain how tenants can access remote proceedings under Local Rule 7(b).

The Order to Show Cause must include information about how tenants can access remote proceedings in accordance with Local Rule 7(b).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

When a trial settles or is continued, attorneys must submit an agreed proposed order to ex parte striking both the pre-trial conference and trial date.

submit an agreed proposed order to ex parte striking both the pre-trial conference and trial date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

For a Residential Landlord Tenant Act action based on a reason other than exclusively nonpayment of rent, the complaint must specifically plead the just-cause exception and supporting facts.

(v) If the action is brought under the Residential Landlord Tenant Act and is based upon any reason other than exclusively nonpayment of rent, the plaintiff shall specifically plead the just cause exception under RCW 59.18 et. seq. to ending a residential tenancy and shall state with specificity the facts supporting such exception.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardian ad litem fee request

Guardian ad litem fee requests must include time records distinguishing investigative, administrative/clerical, and travel time.

All fee requests by the guardian ad litem submitted to the court shall contain time records, which distinguish investigative/guardian ad litem, administrative/clerical, and travel time and shall also be served upon the parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial exhibit

When a documentary exhibit is used at trial during witness examination and reference to the contents of the exhibit is necessary to understand the issues, counsel shall provide extra copies of the exhibit to opposing counsel and the court.

When a documentary exhibit is used at trial during witness examination and reference to the contents of the exhibit is necessary to understand the issues, counsel shall provide extra copies of the exhibit to opposing counsel and the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed order

When a trial settles or is continued, the parties must submit an agreed ex parte order striking the pretrial conference and trial date.

Parties shall immediately notify the Court Administrator if a trial has settled or has been continued and submit an agreed order ex parte striking both the pre-trial conference and trial date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial conference summary

The parties must complete and submit the court's Pre-Trial Conference Summary form at least one court day before the conference; a party with a previously submitted 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 a Pre-Trial Conference Summary form which is located on the Superior Court webpage under the Forms section. 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

Proposed order

Except for ex parte orders, proposed orders must be submitted to Court Administration by hard copy or email at least two court days before the hearing.

Proposed orders, except for the ex parte calendar, shall be submitted to Court Administration at least two (2) court days prior to the scheduled hearing either by delivering a hard copy or email.