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  1. Document(s) to the Clerk
  2. Electronic Filing & Service

Electronically File, Serve & Receive Superior Court Documents

Mandatory e-filing and e-service requirements

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To the eFiling application

Attorneys must electronically file (e-file) and e-serve all documents using the Clerk’s online eFiling application, unless King County Local General Rule 30 provides otherwise. Some exceptions do apply.  Non-attorneys are not required to e-file documents, but may do so.  Electronic service of documents is required of non-attorneys upon electing to e-file documents. 

e-Service is now mandatory per LGR 30(b)(4)(B). Learn how to register to receive and e-serve documents here.  If you have not registered, you will not receive e-served case documents. 

Washington State General Rule 30: Electronic Filing authorizes courts to adopt a local rule that mandates electronic filing and addresses filing hours, electronic signatures rules, working copies, service, and more.

It is recommended that the two court rules linked above are read prior to using the Clerk's e-filing application.

The Superior Court Clerk's eFiling application is comprised of four distinct and separate electronic processes:

  • Filing of a document(s) into an existing case or to start a new case
  • Electronic service of documents
  • Compile and submission of working copies to the Court
  • Submission of documents to Ex Parte via the Clerk

Fee documents are subject to the standard fee schedule plus an eCommerce transaction fee ($2.49 for credit cards and $1.00 for internet checks) per submission.

E-Filing application self-help and process reference materials are available below.  Please note, special training is not a prerequisite for use of the application.

Step-by-Step Process Guides
eFiling-Guide
Helpful User Tips and Practice Case Number

You may use the test case, 02-2-99999-9, to practice e-filing a non-fee document and e-serving others; to verify the validation of your document's .pdf or .tiff file format acceptance; and, to explore the application's e-Working Copies and e-Ex Parte via the Clerk processes.

eFiling Application Demonstrations

Demonstrations of the eFiling application are available.

  • The Public Law Library of King County, in partnership with the Clerk's Office, offers e-Filing courses regularly.  View the library's training center class options here.
  • In the Community: Call to schedule a specialized virtual demonstration for your group presented by the Clerk's subject matter experts: 206-477-3000.

View the Clerk's CLE Workshop information to learn about this ten (10) credit workshop offered.

E-filing is free for filing non-fee documents; however, documents that do require a fee to file will require a fee payment prior to completing the e-filing process. Electronic payment also includes the King County eCommerce transaction fee of $2.49 for credit cards or $1.00 for internet check payments.
If you (an attorney) are unable to electronically file a document that is mandated to be e-filed, you must apply for a waiver before filing in paper form. You may apply for a waiver to file a single document, for an entire case or for a specific period of time. The Clerk will consider each application and will provide the approval or denial in writing. You may file documents in paper form while your request is being reviewed. If the waiver is denied, all future filings must comply with the mandatory e-filing rule (LGR 30) or you may be assessed a faulty document fee.
Yes. Washington State Rule of the Court: General Rule 30 (GR 30) and King County Superior Court Local General Rule 30 (LGR 30) identify documents that cannot be filed electronically and must be filed in paper form only.  There are certain document types that should not be filed in the court file regardless of format. For example: negotiable instruments, exhibits and trial notebooks.
If your internet connection is down it is your responsibility to go to one of the many locations that offer free internet access, including public libraries and the Public Law Library of King County. If the King County network is down or if the eFiling application is off during business hours, filing directions will be posted on this alternate website: http://www.kcscclerkefilingstatus.com/. It is highly recommended that you save this site link to your favorites for easy verification of the eFiling application status or to get to the eFiling application without accessing the King County network.
Select the document type that most clearly identifies the document you are e-filing. If you are unsure of what type to choose, you may select "other." However, if you are filing a document that has a fee associated with it be sure to choose the document type that has the appropriate fee associated or your document will be rejected for non-payment.
If you are having trouble uploading your .pdf document, your .pdf file may be incompatible with the file validation requirements. The eFiling application suite is currently compatible with Adobe Acrobat 9 software. Please verify that your scanner or .pdf conversion software is set to version 9 or less. Also, for scanner defaults, it is recommended that the DPI be set to 200 and "hard set" the document size to 8.5 x 11 inches. Many free PDF conversion software packages are available online. One such product is "Cute PDF" from http://cutepdf.com (choose the FREEWARE download version). To create a .pdf document, open your document and select to print. Change your printer options to the "Cute PDF Writer" option.
The eFiling application provides the option to upload an "attachment" or an "additional document" following the successful upload of a document into the system. The "attachment" feature operates like an electronic stapler. If you have exhibits or additional files that are intended to be filed with the primary document as one document, use the "attachment" option. The "additional document" feature provides the option to e-file a second or additional primary document into the case with one e-filing submission.
Proposed orders may not be e-filed. Stipulations can be filed separately from the order, and the order can be presented to your assigned judge via working copies. Another option, if eligible for signing in the Ex Parte Department, is the Ex Parte via the Clerk component within the eFiling application. When using the Ex Parte via the Clerk component, stipulations with original signatures can be uploaded as a .pdf within the “Add Additional Documents” tab. Please refer to GR 30 for the appropriate use of /S/ in lieu of a signature. If the Stipulation has not been filed, verify that the “e-file me” box is checked. Proposed orders should be uploaded as a WORD (.doc or .docx) file within the “Proposed Order” tab, or you may deliver the Stipulation and Proposed Order to the Clerk’s Office in hard copy for presentation to the Ex Parte Department.
E-filed documents are not available for public viewing until they have first been reviewed and processed by the clerk. When e-filing, as in paper filing, please follow the appropriate sealing process identified in the state and local rules.
No. The eFiling application will automatically generate and e-file a CICS for you based on the new case identification selections you make when going through the e-filing process. You can obtain and save a copy of the CICS through a link on the eFiling Confirmation Receipt upon completion of the new case e-filing process.
For managed cases, an Order Setting Case Schedule will be automatically generated after you have completed the eCommerce transaction and can be obtained via a link on the eFiling Confirmation Receipt. It is strongly recommended that you save a copy of the schedule (.pdf) at the time of filing. For additional new case e-filing information, view the Start a New Case Step-by-Step process guide.
You will not be issued a case schedule for modifications or objections via the eFiling application at the time of filing. A case schedule will be mailed to you after review by the clerk.
No. E-filing a document(s) and submitting electronic working copies to the judge or commissioner's calendar are separate actions within the eFiling application. E-filing a document(s) does not satisfy any requirement of parties to submit working copies. eWorking Copies is an optional service within the eFiling application that compliments the e-filing of court documents. For more information view the eWorking Copies page.
Although electronic service in King County is required per LGR 30, however, e-service is not an automatic function of the eFiling application, from the court or case parties. After e-filing, parties must select to e-serve the document(s) and identify the registered receiver(s).  For additional information, view the eService step-by-step process guide.
Signatures are the responsibility of the filing party, per GR 30. If your document includes digital signatures from DocuSign or other similar vendors, the digital signature will not be authenticated or preserved in the e-filing process. This doesn't impact the image of the signatures or the document.
Unfortunately the county's current online payment processing system will not accept non-USA addresses and phone numbers. If you do not have USA contact information, enter the Clerk’s Office address and phone: 516 Third Ave, Suite E-609, Seattle, WA, 98104, 206-477-3000, into the required eCommerce form fields. Please be sure to enter your correct email address so that we may contact you, if necessary, about your filing and/or payment. This restriction on accepting out of country contact information will be changing in 2018 as the county changes system vendors.

Per LGR 30, the Clerk will make waiver request forms available.

Requesting a Waiver
  1. Obtain an application here, or in person at any Clerk's Office location.
  2. Submit the completed application by mail or in person at any counter at the clerk's office.
  3. Once the application is submitted you are exempt from filing electronically until the application has been processed and you have received a response from the clerk's office.
  4. You are required to include the language "exempt from e-filing per application pending waiver filed on [date]" in the caption of all subsequent paper filings until you have received a response from the clerk's office.
Application Review Process

The Clerk's Office will send a response to the applicant within two weeks of receipt of the waiver request.

  • If Approved:
    • The response will instruct you to file copies of the response in each case where a waiver is requested.
    • The response will also instruct you to include language on filings as specified in LGR 30 on all subsequent filings for the duration of the waiver period.  If you do not include this language on subsequent filings you may be assessed a fee.
  • If Denied:
    • You can appeal the decision according to the instructions below.
    • You cannot re-apply for a waiver for a period of six months from the date of the initial denial unless there has been a substantial change in your circumstances.
    • You are expected to file your documents electronically and may be assessed a fee if you continue to file your documents in paper form
Waiver Denied Appeal Process
  1. Contact the Clerk's Office official who rendered the decision.
  2. If after speaking with the official you still wish to appeal, request an appeal form.
  3. Submit your completed appeal form to the Clerk's Office Deputy Director.
  4. The Deputy Director will send a response to you within two weeks of receipt of the completed appeal document.
  5. You are exempt from filing electronically until your appeal has been processed.  You are required to include the language "exempt from e-filing per application pending waiver filed on [date]" in the caption of all subsequent paper filings until you have received a response to your appeal from the Clerk's Office Deputy Director.

Below are contact resources specifically identified to support customers' use of the eFiling application and Clerk's Office electronic processes. The phone lines and email boxes are staffed during the Clerk's Office business hours.  When calling if you receive voice mail please leave a message.  Calls will be returned in the order they are received.

eServices Help Desk

For questions and assistance with the eFiling application, contact:

  • call 206-477-3000, or
  • email eServices@kingcounty.gov.
    Our eServices email and phone line are currently experiencing technical issues, and it will take longer to respond to phone calls and emails. Thank you for understanding.
KC Script Portal Help

For questions and assistance with the KC Script Portal, contact:

eWorking Copies

View eWorking Copies information, step-by-step guides, FAQs and Helpful Tips here.

For questions and assistance, contact us:

Ex Parte via the Clerk

View the Ex Parte Motions and Hearings Manual, Master List, Ex Parte via the Clerk forms and FAQs here.

For questions and assistance, contact us:

  • Seattle staff: 206-477-0848, or
  • Kent staff: 206-477-3047.
General Information

Clerk's Office staff performs a variety of duties and services for the court, litigants and the public.  If you need additional information or assistance not address above, please contact us:

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eFiling App Maintenance

For eFiling application's scheduled maintenance announcements, current status and downtime instructions, go to:

www.kcscclerkefilingstatus.com.