The Snohomish County Clerk is in the final development stage of their Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS). The system is projected to be implemented in December 2004, with public access to digitized records/documents beginning sometime in early 2005.

The following guidelines and requirements regarding the filing of Superior Court documents in Snohomish County have been established to ensure document quality and long-term preservation of the record. These requirements have been submitted to Snohomish County Superior Court in the form of a local court rule for review and approval. This review will not occur until early 2005. Members of the Bar are asked to conform to the following requirements that became effective October 1, 2004. Documents that do not conform to these standards may be rejected by the Clerk’s Office:

• Document Format. The format recommendations set forth in CR 10(e) and GR 14 shall be required. Documents that do not meet the standards may be rejected by the Clerk.
• Document Paper and Print. All original documents filed shall be clear, legible and permanent, and printed or typewritten (a minimum of 10-point type) in black or dark blue ink on non-translucent, non-colored bond paper or other paper suitable for scanning and microfilming. Tissue, thermal, or onionskin paper shall not be used. All original pleadings and other papers shall be first impressions and not carbon copies. Printed, multi-lithed, mimeographed, photocopied, and other comparable reproductions are acceptable. Every original paper filed, except ribbon copies of typewritten documents, shall bear the word “original.” Every paper other than the original filed with the Clerk or delivered to a Court must be labeled “copy.” The Court may refuse to sign any order not complying with this rule.

The following standards are required to assist the Clerk for document scanning purposes: 1) Use of binder clips on large documents; 2) one staple per document (do not staple sub-documents within the pleading); 3) use of bottom tabs only; yellow bond page dividers are acceptable (no other colored paper accepted); and 4) use of tape within documents (to affix small notes and receipts) instead of staples.

Italized language reflects changes recommended by the Snohomish County Clerk. The Clerk’s Office currently applies SCLCR 79(d)(2) when material is filed that cannot be microfilmed. If your intent is to ensure the material you are filing becomes a permanent part of the Superior Court record, you will need to ensure that the requirements of CR 10(e) and GR 14, as well as the guidelines above are followed.

The Snohomish County Clerk’s Office looks forward to continuing its strong working relationship with all of its customers. Electronic access to Superior Court records will benefit us all, but there is still work to be done to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible and as transparent to all of you as possible.