Snohomish County Superior Court Filing Rules

Each party must file and serve a written answer to a dependency or termination petition no later than 7 days before the preliminary hearing.

Copies of the sealing or redaction motion and proposed findings must be served on all other parties and the court at least five court days before the hearing.

The Clerk may reject and return an unauthorized paper filing when the attorney lacks an approved waiver from mandatory e-filing.

Working copies must be merged into one PDF and must visibly display the hearing date and time, case name, case number, and submitting party on page one.

Parties not appearing in person must use the Ex Parte via the Clerk Portal for ex parte submissions, and mailed submissions are not accepted except for adoption break seal requests.

If a party learns that a post-plea sentencing may exceed 30 minutes, the party must immediately notify the judge’s law clerk and the opposing parties.

Sealing or redaction motions must be noted before a judge or regularly appointed Court Commissioner, with a limited exception for certain unopposed Juvenile Court sealing motions heard by a temporary judge or commissioner.

The party seeking revision must provide the judge with working copies of the motion and all materials previously submitted to the commissioner.

In family-law motions, supporting declarations and affidavits are limited to 25 pages total, responsive materials to 25 pages total, and reply materials to 5 pages total, absent prior court authorization.

A single Clerk Portal submission may include up to five orders and their supporting documents for one presentation fee, but additional fees may apply under the Clerk's fee schedule.

Failure to notify the court of a continuance or strike of a confirmed motion may result in sanctions or other terms.

Motions to vacate a record of conviction and motions for certificates of discharge are decided on the pleadings unless a criminal hearings judge requires argument.

An extended-motion calendar note must be accompanied by a motion, filed and served on all parties, and sent to the criminal working copies email at least five court days before the requested hearing.