Seattle Trial Technology · Whatcom County Superior

Whatcom County Superior Court

Last updated on November 23, 2025

Whatcom County Superior Court provides defined procedures for remote appearances, electronic filing, and handling of exhibits. Remote access is permitted at judicial discretion for specified calendars – attorneys must e-file in authorized case types under local rule WCGR 30.

Technology Overview

Remote Appearances (Zoom):
Civil motion and eviction calendars may be authorized for Zoom. Parties must request Zoom through the assigned judicial assistant; moving parties should request when confirming the hearing and non-moving parties by 3 p.m. on Thursdays. Not all matters will receive permission to appear by Zoom.
Source: Superior Court Administration
Electronic Filing (eFileWA):
The Superior Court Clerk currently accepts electronic filing for Civil and Probate case types. Filers register for eFileWA before use; unrepresented litigants are encouraged but not required to e-file.
Source: Clerk: Filing; eFileWA portal
Mandatory e-Filing & Documents Not Accepted via e-Filing:
Under WCGR 30, attorneys must e-file in designated case types. Certain items must not be e-filed and are filed in paper, including original paper wills, items submitted for in-camera review, fee-waiver initiations, documents presented during hearings or trial, certified records for appeal, and specified ex parte filings. The rule also clarifies that negotiable instruments, trial exhibits, and trial notebooks are not filed in the court file (neither paper nor e-file).
Source: Local Rules (effective Sep. 1, 2025), WCGR 30(b)(1)–(2) & Comment
File Size Limits & Splitting Documents:
The maximum file size per electronically filed document is 25 MB. Larger filings must be split into logical parts (e.g., declaration separate from exhibits) and identified accordingly.
Source: Local Rules (WCGR 30: Voluminous Documents)
Exhibits & Evidence Handling:
Exhibits are not filed into the case record via e-filing. Trial exhibits and notebooks are maintained per the judicial officer’s directions and local procedures rather than being e-filed.
Source: Local Rules (WCGR 30 Comment: Exhibits not filed)
Governing Rules & Updates:
Current and emergency local rules are posted by Superior Court; statewide GR 30 (Electronic Filing and Service) provides baseline authority and technical standards referenced by local practice.
Source: Local Court Rules page; Washington GR 30