Skagit County Superior Court Sealing & Redaction Procedures

CRITICAL

The JIS request form required before a temporary-order request must be filed with the clerk under seal.

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

If the name change is granted, the court must copy the identification documents and file the copies under seal.

The court shall make a copy of the identification documents provided and file those copies under seal if the name change is granted.

CRITICAL

At administrative review, the court must seal the records if the respondent completed the disposition terms and paid legal financial obligations, unless there is an objection or the court finds a compelling reason not to seal; completion is presumed absent a pending probation violation or active warrant.

(h) At the administrative review, unless there is an objection or the court believes there is a compelling reason not to seal, the court shall seal the records if: (1) The respondent has completed the terms of disposition. Completion is presumed unless a probation violation is pending, or a warrant is active in the cause; and (2) The respondent has paid legal financial obligations.

CRITICAL

The JIS request form must be filed with the clerk under seal.

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

Name-change petitions and supporting documents are not publicly accessible unless the court orders otherwise.

Pursuant to RCW 4.24.130(5)(d), name change petitions and supporting documents shall not be accessible to the public unless otherwise ordered by the court.

CRITICAL

After in camera review is complete, the clerk must seal the documents and maintain them as an exhibit.

Upon completion of in camera review of documents in a case, the documents shall be sealed by the clerk and maintained as an exhibit.

WARNING

Juvenile offenses are subject to administrative sealing except for the listed serious, sex, and felony drug offenses, subject to the stated drug-offense exceptions.

All juvenile offenses are subject to administrative sealing, pursuant to statute, other than: (1) Most serious offenses as defined in RCW 9.94A.030. (2) Sex Offenses as defined in RCW 9A.44 (3) Felony Drug Offenses as defined by RCW 9.94A.030, except possession of a controlled substance or forged prescription for a controlled substance.

WARNING

Copies from sealed files may be available for 48 hours after judicial signature to court-authorized parties who verify their identity; parties unable to appear may request copies by mail or email within 72 hours if the stated address and identity-verification conditions are met, and electronic access may be unavailable once the matter is sealed.

Copies. The Clerk’s Office may provide copies from a sealed file at the front counter, at the statutory copy fee rate, for up to 48 hours following judicial signature. This 48-hour period runs continuously and is not extended for weekends, holidays, or non-business days. (1) Authorized parties. Access during this period is limited to parties authorized by court order. Individuals requesting copies must present valid identification sufficient to verify their identity, as determined by the Clerk’s Office; (2) Remote Requests. Parties unable to appear in person may request copies by mail or email if: (i) The request is made within 72 hours of judicial signature; (ii) A mailing address or email address is included in the court order, and; (iii) The Clerk’s Office receives sufficient information to verify the requester’s identity. (3) Electronic Access Limitation. Once a matter is sealed, electronic access may no longer be available due to system limitations.