Skagit County Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A proposed order must be provided pursuant to SCLCR 7(e)(3), though the court may adopt, modify, or reject it consistent with its decision.

A proposed order, which the court may adopt, modify, or reject consistent with the decision of the court, shall be provided pursuant to SCLCR 7(e)(3).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order delivered in person or by mail must include a cover sheet stating the hearing date and time and the name of the party proposing the order.

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

Juror questionnaire

Juror questionnaires must be submitted for the trial judge’s pre-approval by trial confirmation, whether or not the parties agree on the questionnaire.

Juror questionnaires for trials. Juror questionnaires must be submitted by trial confirmation for pre- approval by the trial judge, regardless of whether the parties are in agreement with the proposed questionnaire.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Supervising agency report and proposed order

Must include

proposed order

The supervising agency must prepare a proposed order and a written report containing the information required by RCW 13.34.120.

The supervising agency shall prepare a proposed order and a written report containing the information required by RCW 13.34.120.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Motions must be written, dated, and signed by the attorney or self-represented party.

Motions must be in writing and dated and signed by the attorney or self-represented party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request for interpreter form

Parties with limited English proficiency who need a hearing interpreter must submit the attached request form to Superior Court Administration as early as possible.

All parties with Limited English Proficiency who need an interpreter to participate in court hearings must submit the attached Request for Interpreter form to Superior Court Administration at the earliest opportunity.

CRITICAL

Applies to

JIS request form

Petitioners must file a sealed JIS request form with the clerk, provide a copy to Court Administration, and include the listed parties’ names and birth dates.

The petitioner(s) shall file a JIS request form with the clerk under seal, and provide a copy to Court Administration, providing the names and dates of birth of the following parties: (1) petitioner(s); (2) any others residing in the petitioner(s)’s home; (3) minor’s parent(s); (4) any adult residing in the parent(s)’s homes; (5) proposed guardian(s); and (6) any adult residing in the proposed guardian(s)’s home.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of service

An additional shelter care hearing can be set on the dependency calendar upon the filing of a note for motion and written motion, with affidavit of change of circumstances alleged. The motion shall specify the change in circumstances, relief requested, statement of facts and the evidence relied upon, and shall be properly served on all parties, with a certification of service filed with the court.

An additional shelter care hearing can be set on the dependency calendar upon the filing of a note for motion and written motion, with affidavit of change of circumstances alleged. The motion shall specify the change in circumstances, relief requested, statement of facts and the evidence relied upon, and shall be properly served on all parties, with a certification of service filed with the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Presentation hearing filings

Must include

proposed order

For a presentation hearing, each party must file its proposed order and a statement identifying issues with the opposing party’s proposed order.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Informal family law trial agreement

Each party agreeing to an IFLT shall submit their written agreement using the form provided with GR 40.

Each party agreeing to an IFLT shall submit their written agreement using the form provided with GR 40.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardian ad litem response

A guardian ad litem’s requested response must be in writing and address the specific issues identified by the Committee.

Make a finding that the complaint appears to have merit and request a written response from the guardian ad litem within 10 court days, detailing the specific issues in the complaint to which the Committee desires a response.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Registry reapplication

Listed persons must reapply annually and provide a WSP criminal background check for the September 1 review date.

Persons listed on the registry shall reapply annually and provide a WSP criminal background check for the September 1 st review date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders must include the full case caption and designated names and contact information, while leaving findings and order sections blank except for required names and contact information.

The proposed orders shall fill in the entire case caption and all names and contact information as denoted within each form but leave blank all findings and order sections, other than required names and contact information as denoted within each form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Filing document

When documents must be filed under multiple case numbers, attorneys must submit a duplicate original for each number; without duplicates, the clerk places the document only in the first designated case.

Where documents require filing under multiple case numbers, attorneys shall submit duplicate originals for each case number cited. Case numbers for each file shall be highlighted by circling the appropriate cause number. Where there are multiple case numbers and no duplicate originals provided, the Clerk shall place the document only in the first case number designated.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of completion

A mediator-signed certificate of completion must be filed with the clerk before trial.

A certificate of completion signed by the mediator shall be filed with the clerk of the court prior to trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition and order

Petitions and orders protecting a child must include the child's full name and other identifiers as necessary for entry into JIS or WACIC.

If a child is a person protected by a criminal no contact order, an anti-harassment order, an order of protection, a restraining order, or any other court order entered for the protection of the child, the child’s full name and other identifiers shall be included on petitions and orders as necessary for entry of the order into the Judicial Information System (JIS) and/or the Washington Crime Information Center (WACIC).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

An owner-plaintiff must state ownership in the complaint and state whether tenants participate in federal housing assistance or the property has a federally backed mortgage.

(ii) Plaintiff owners of the real property must state ownership in the complaint and if the tenants participate in federal housing assistance programs or if the real property has a federally backed mortgage.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Recertification proof

Title 26 guardians ad litem must provide proof of recertification every three years.

Proof of re-certification is required for Title 26 guardians ad litem every three (3) years.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pickup order filing

A pickup-order filing must be presented to a judicial officer during an ex parte calendar; if filed before or after that calendar, the AAG or case worker must provide it to Superior Court Administration for review after obtaining a cause number.

If a pickup order is requested, the requesting party shall present the filing to the judicial officer during any ex parte calendar. If the filing occurs before the ex parte calendar has begun or after conclusion of the ex parte calendar, the AAG or case worker shall provide the filing to Superior Court Administration for judicial review after obtaining a cause number as set forth above.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jis background check request

Parties presenting a final parenting plan must submit a completed JIS background check form to Court Administration and include the order-presentation hearing date.

Prior to presenting a final parenting plan to the court or the first day of trial to establish a final parenting plan, the party or parties presenting the final parenting plan shall submit a completed judicial information service (JIS) background check form to Skagit County Superior Court Administration. This form is located on the Superior Court webpage under the Forms section. Such request must be submitted no less than three days prior to the date of presentation of the final parenting plan and shall include the hearing date of the order presentation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request for interpreter form

Parties with limited English proficiency who need an interpreter for hearings must submit the attached interpreter request form to Superior Court Administration as soon as possible.

Todas las partes con dominio limitado del inglés que necesiten un intérprete para participar en las audiencias deben enviar el formulario de solicitud de intérprete adjunto a la administración del tribunal superior lo antes posible.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

An owner’s duly appointed attorney-in-fact must state that status in the complaint and file a copy of the authorizing power of attorney with it.

(iv) Duly appointed attorneys-in-fact of the property owners must state their status in the complaint and must file with the complaint a copy of the power of attorney so designating them.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unlawful detainer complaint

A complaint based on a facility-rules violation must include a copy of the rules.

(vi) If the action is based upon a facility rules violation, a copy of the rules shall be attached.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

A complaint must be submitted in writing to the specified Superior Court Administrator address and include the filer’s signature, name, and address.

All complaints must be in writing and must be submitted to the Superior Court Administrator, 205 W. Kincaid, Room 202, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. All complaints must bear the signature, name and address of the person filing the complaint.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Juvenile sealing order

The court must use the specified juvenile-offender sealing form to seal the records or deny sealing.

(i) The court shall seal the records, or deny sealing, using court form “Order Re: Sealing Records of Juvenile Offender (ORSF, ORSFD).”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Note for calendar

A note for calendar accompanying an in-custody defendant’s specified release request must include some basis for the request.

Some basis for the request must accompany the note for calendar.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Local rulemaking request

Requests to adopt, amend, or repeal a local court rule must comply with GR 9.

Requests shall comply with the standards set forth in GR 9.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed dissolution orders

An agreed dissolution lacking orders or signatures at the hearing will be stricken and may be re-noted once the missing items are received.

Any noted agreed dissolution that is missing orders or signatures on orders at the time of hearing shall be stricken and may be re-noted upon receipt of the necessary items.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor name change petition

If someone other than the minor petitions for the name change, information about the minor’s position must be provided.

If the petitioner is not the minor, information shall be provided about the minor’s position with respect to the requested name change.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Acceptance of appointment

A guardian who changes their name must obtain an order for new letters and file a new-name acceptance of appointment to receive new letters of guardianship.

If a guardian changes their name, they must obtain an order for new letters and file an acceptance of appointment under the new name to receive new letters of guardianship.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Dependency motions are heard on written declarations without oral testimony unless the court gives prior written authorization and all legal parties receive notice.

Motions shall be heard on written declaration testimony only. All supporting declarations shall be filed and served with the motion and note for calendar. Motions shall be heard without oral testimony of the parties, including the social worker, social worker supervisor or parents, unless prior authorization from the court is received, in writing, with notice to all legal parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Emails submitting proposed orders must identify the case, cause number, and hearing date and time in the subject, and each attachment must be named with the case, cause number, submitting party, and order title; a noncompliant order may be rejected.

The subject line of the email shall include the case name, cause number, and date and time of the hearing. Each attached document must be named with the name of the case and the cause number, the party submitting the order, and the title of the order per the examples shown below. If this rule is not followed, the order may be rejected.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification of compliance

Attorneys providing public defense representation must file certifications of compliance under JuCR 9.2 or may be removed from noncompliant cases.

Attorneys who engage in public defense representation shall file certifications of compliance as set forth under JuCR 9.2 or will be subject to removal from representation on noncompliant cases.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed order of continuance

The agreed order of continuance must be presented in Superior Court by the first ex parte calendar following the detention.

The agreed order of continuance shall be presented in Superior Court no later than the first ex parte calendar following the detention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Recorded information

To make recorded information part of the court’s permanent record, it must be transcribed and filed as a paper document.

In order to make such recorded information part of the court’s permanent record, it must be transcribed and then filed as a document in paper format.

WARNING

Applies to

Non document item

An item filed with the clerk that is not a document is treated as an exhibit.

Any item filed with the court clerk that is not a document shall be treated as an exhibit.

WARNING

Applies to

JIS background check

A party seeking a final minor guardianship order must ensure a current JIS background check is on file; the court may decline to enter final orders if the check is more than 30 days old.

Any party requesting entry of a final minor guardianship order shall ensure that there is a current JIS background check on file; the court may decline to enter final orders in the event a JIS background check is more than 30 days old.

WARNING

Applies to

Witness or exhibit list

Parties and attorneys are expected to act in good faith, including not listing witnesses or exhibits they do not expect to use at trial.

Attorneys and parties are expected to exercise good faith in complying with this rule. For example: A party should not list a witness or exhibit that the attorney or party does not actually expect to use at trial.

WARNING

Applies to

Adult name change petition

An adult name-change petitioner is expected to show photo ID confirming their current legal name before an order is entered, unless the court finds good cause otherwise.

An adult petitioning for a name change shall be expected to show photo identification to confirm their current legal name prior to entry of an order absent a finding of good cause from the court.

WARNING

A child's date of birth may be included in court records only as authorized by GR 22.

The date of birth of a child shall be included in court records only as authorized by GR 22.

WARNING

Applies to

Final orders

Uncontested dissolution final orders may be presented ex parte if accompanied by the specified affidavit and signature.

Final orders in uncontested dissolution matters may be presented ex parte if accompanied by an affidavit of one of the parties setting forth jurisdictional facts and signed by at least one attorney or party who is being assisted by a Limited Licensed Legal Technician.

WARNING

Applies to

Filing document

A document submitted for filing may not be associated with more than one case number.

No documents shall be submitted for filing with more than one case number.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of conflict dates

Conflict notices are limited to specified prior commitments, must include the named proceeding and location when counsel is involved, and must use the court's form; noncompliant conflicts are disregarded, though administration will attempt to accommodate prescheduled conflicts.

Conflict dates shall be limited to previously scheduled vacations, trial dates, arbitrations and mediations. If counsel is involved, they are to include the name of the trial, arbitration or mediation in conflict and the location of the conflict. The form Notice of Conflict Dates is located on the Superior Court webpage under the Forms section. Listed conflicts that fail to comply with this rule will be disregarded when setting a trial date. Superior Court Administration will attempt to accommodate pre-scheduled conflicts.

WARNING

Applies to

Administrative review case list

The review list, including information about respondents’ payment of legal financial obligations, must be available to the specified officials at least one week before review.

(e) The County Prosecutor, Public Defender, and a representative of the Office of Juvenile Court may provide input on whether a case qualifies for administrative sealing before the review. A list of cases set for administrative review shall be available to the Prosecutor, Public Defender, and representative of the Office of Juvenile Court at least one week prior to the reviews. Included with this list shall be information from the county clerk, indicating whether the respondents have paid their legal financial obligations for the cases set for review.

WARNING

Applies to

Conflict dates

Conflict Dates may include only previously scheduled vacations, trial dates, arbitrations, and mediations.

Conflict dates shall be limited to previously scheduled vacations, trial dates, arbitrations, and mediations.

WARNING

Applies to

Filing document

If a filing’s caption and case number do not match, the case number controls.

The case number prevails on filings received where the case caption and case number do not match.

WARNING

Applies to

Application

All appointments from the previous year should be listed on the application.

All appointments from the previous year should be listed on the application.

WARNING

Applies to

Official identification documents

Originals or certified copies of official identification documents may be provided at the hearing and not filed with the court until after the hearing.

Originals or certified copies of official identification documents may be provided at the hearing and not filed with the court until after the hearing.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Each party is responsible for providing its own exhibits, including expert reports and witness declarations.

Each party is responsible for providing their own exhibits, including expert reports and declarations of witnesses.

WARNING

Applies to

Guardian ad litem fee request

This should be presented to Court Administration along with an Order Authorizing Payment.

This should be presented to Court Administration along with an Order Authorizing Payment.