PLEASE READ:

GR30 Revisions Change How You Use the E-Filing Application

Although not completely reflected in the E-Filing application, recent changes in General Rule (GR) 30 have simplified the e-filing process.

The Clerk’s Office has not yet updated HELP information in the E-Filing application. These instructions include “work-arounds” to help you e-file under the improved procedures authorized by GR 30.

1.      The “e-filer” is the person whose Logon ID and password [and PIN] are used to open the E-Filing application. (It is permissible to delegate use of one’s Logon ID to others, e.g., staff, but one remains responsible for what is filed with it.)

2.      To open E-Filing, enter your Logon ID, password, and PIN. (Although the PIN is no longer required by GR 30, it is still needed to open the E-Filing application.)

3.      NEW USER? How to Obtain Logon ID:
Follow these steps to set up your Logon ID, password, and PIN:

a.      Select First time filer?

b.      Select “Expanded.”

c.      Fill in the REQUIRED fields on the form:
First Name
Last Name
Date of Birth

d.      For “Driver License #” (no longer required by GR 30, but required to complete this form) enter “ABCD” or any few letters and numbers.

e.      Create and enter your own 8-character Logon ID –WRITE IT DOWN*.

f.        Create and enter your 8-character Password – and WRITE IT DOWN*.
Password must contain at least: one special character ($, # and @ symbols) and 2 of the following 3: uppercase letters, lowercase letters and numbers.

*There will be no e-mail message to tell you what you entered.

4.      Documents that are filed and signed using the procedures of GR 30 as originally adopted continue to be accepted in the King County E-Filing application.

5.      New methods for signing e-filed documents authorized by GR 30 as amended:

a.      State Digital Signature:
Any attorney, party, or other signer may still sign any e-filed document using a State-issued Digital Signature (RCW 19.34). See http://www.secstate.wa.gov/ea for information. Evidence of this signing method appears as a few lines of code unique to that individual and the item being signed. (Adding a brief statement that a Washington State Digital Signature was used may help avoid questions about the signature.)

b.      ATTORNEYS: /s Formatted Signature:
An attorney may electronically sign an e-filed document by using an “s/” (“ess – slash”) signature, formatted as follows (example from GR 30):

              s/John Attorney

              State Bar Number 12345

              ABC Law Firm

              123 South Fifth Avenue

              Seattle, WA 98104

              Telephone: (206) 123-4567

              Fax: (206) 123-4567

              E-mail: John.Attorney@lawfirm.com

c.      NON-ATTORNEYS: /s Formatted Signature:
A non-attorney may electronically sign an e-filed document, provided it is not sworn under penalty of perjury and it does not have multiple signers, by using an “s/” (“ess – slash”) signature, formatted as follows (example from GR 30):

              s/John Citizen

              123 South Fifth Avenue

              Seattle, WA 98104

              Telephone: (206) 123-4567

              Fax: (206) 123-4567

              E-mail: John.Citizen@email.com

d.      Imaged Pages with Pen-and-Ink Signatures:
Electronically filed documents from non-attorneys that are sworn under penalty of perjury and documents signed by multiple persons not using State digital signatures are to be e-filed with scanned images of the physical (“pen-and-ink”) signatures of those persons. The documents with those “original signatures” must be retained by the e-filer until at least 60 days following the completion of the case, including the running of all appeals.

6.      When an attorney has permission to sign an e-filed document on behalf of others, the attorney may do so, provided the attorney expressly states in the document that authorization to sign on behalf of the others was given. The attorney creates “s/” (“ess – slash”) signatures for such persons, as in the examples above.

7.      Electronic Service: General Rule 30 indicates that service may be electronic “only by agreement.” You may use the E-Service feature provided in the Clerk’s Office’s E-Filing application. An alternative might be an agreement with opposing counsel to accomplish service by providing copies of e-filings as e-mail attachments.

QUESTIONS?

Call (206) 205-1600 (leave voice mail with call-back number) or send e-mail to KCSCefiling@kingcounty.gov. Staff are available to respond during business hours.