Ex Parte via the Clerk

Generally, the clerk will present documents that are agreed, do not require testimony, are not of an emergent nature and do not impact the trial schedule or involve discovery. New or reopened probate matters may be presented either by the parties or by the clerk. For more specific information about which documents are to be presented by the clerk and which can be presented by the parties, review the Motions and Hearings Manual and the Ex Parte Master List.

Matters that will not be accepted for presentation via EPVC include the following:

• Matters noted for a hearing
• Working Copies for a noted hearing (see eWorking Copies)
• Matters with oral argument
• Orders that impact the trial schedule
• Matters that involve discovery
• Parenting plans
• Orders confirming binding Arbitration that are not stipulated
• All Temporary Restraining Orders

Certain documents may be presented directly to the Ex Parte and Probate Department by the case parties. Anti-harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault and vulnerable adult protection orders, and restraining orders shall be presented in person. Additionally, orders requiring testimony and child custody and parenting plan orders shall be presented in person. New or reopened probate matters may either be presented in person or by the clerk. For more specific information about which documents are to be presented by the clerk and which can be presented by the parties, review the Motions and Hearings Manual and the Ex Parte Master List.

No. For those matters that are noted for a hearing before Ex Parte, you are expected to appear for the hearing. You may submit working copies electronically to the Commissioner through the KC Script Portal eWorking Copies submission process or you may drop off a paper copy in the Judges' mailroom at the location of your noted hearing.

No, if submitted electronically the clerk will provide you with one conformed copy of each signed order. If you are submitting your documents by mail or in person, please provide additional copies to be conformed.

You can request expedited service (additional $40.00) and clerk's office staff will, within fifteen minutes of receipt, present your materials to the Ex Parte Department. The judicial officer will consider the expedited matter(s) immediately upon completion of their in-process matter. Generally, expedited Ex Parte via the Clerk matters will be available to the submitter within an hour.

Fee waivers are available if payment of the presentation fee would cause a financial hardship. To learn more about qualifying for a fee waiver, contact the Clerk's Office by calling 206-477-0848 in Seattle or 206-477-3047 in Kent. You may also inquire about fee waivers in person at any Clerk's Office location.

Stipulations and Proposed Orders need to be submitted separately. In the KC Script Portal, E-File stipulations with original signatures first. Then, in the KC Script Portal Ex Parte via the Clerk submission process, select the stipulations from the "My E-Filed Documents" list. Please refer to GR 30 for the appropriate use of /S/ in lieu of a signature. Proposed orders should be uploaded as a .pdf or .tif file within the “Proposed Order” step. Another option is to deliver the Stipulation and Proposed Order to the Clerk’s Office in hard copy for presentation to the ExParte Department.

Yes. The KC Script Portal Ex Parte via the Clerk component includes a shopping cart functionality that allows you to include multiple cases within one submission. This also enables you to incur the King County eCommerce transaction fee ($2.49 for credit card) only once.

The clerk presents orders to the Ex Parte and Probate Department only. Questions on how to present orders to be signed by an Individual Calendar Judge should be directed to the Court's Bailiff.

You may present your application in person or send it to the Clerk's Office by mail. Writs of garnishment are not accepted electronically at this time.

The clerk will process the order directing the issuance of letters and issue the letters by placing them in the court file. You can obtain a certified copy of the letters through the records request process once they have been filed. Sometimes the clerk is unable to issue the letters because the Oath or Acceptance of Appointment doesn't match the order or a bond is required by the court. In those instances the clerk will notify the filer that letters can't be issued and the reason.

In the KC Script Portal, select My Account and Ex Parte via the Clerk. A list of submissions made in the last 30 days will appear with the status of the submission. Below are the possible statuses:

• Active - awaiting review by a clerk
• JO Pending Approval - awaiting review by a judicial officer
• Completed - completion of the judicial officer review and filing of an order or if a fee waiver was requested and denied. 
• Rejected - returned by the clerk to the submitter

The clerk reviews submissions to ensure they are EPVC eligible and contain the documents are ready for the court to review. The clerk doesn't ensure that all of the documents needed by the court are provided. If a submission cannot be reviewed by the court through the EVPC process the clerk will reject the submission and refund the fee paid. 

 

Form K's can be issued at the clerk's office locations or by mail.