Washington Court Exhibit Requirements
Master Washington exhibit requirements under King County LCR 4(j) and the powerful ER 904 authentication provision for Superior Courts across the Evergreen State.
Key Deadline: Exchange exhibit lists 21 days before trial. Use ER 904 to admit documents without live testimony with 30-day notice.
Quick Reference
Updated 2025-01-15County systems
25 MB (varies)
Numbers (sequential)
Joint sequence
21 days (King County)
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
King County LCR 4(j) - Exchange of exhibit lists 21 days before trial. Must list all witnesses and exhibits except impeachment materials.
Authentication
ER 904 - Documents admitted without testimony if 30-day notice given with numbered copies and index. Powerful streamlining provision.
E-Filing
County-specific systems - King: KC Script Portal ($50 paper fee). Pierce: LINX. Snohomish: eFile & Serve.
Deadlines
21 days for exhibit list exchange (King County).5 judicial days for Joint Statement of Evidence.
ER 904: Washington's Powerful Streamlining Provision
Admit Documents Without Live Testimony
Washington ER 904 allows admission of documentary evidence without live authenticating testimony. This significantly streamlines trial proceedings and reduces witness scheduling burdens.
ER 904 Requirements:
- 30 days notice before trial of intent to offer exhibit
- Numbered copies of each exhibit served on all parties
- Index provided identifying each exhibit
- No objection within 14 days = deemed authentic
County-Specific E-Filing Systems
Washington uses different e-filing systems by county. Always verify your county's specific system and requirements before filing.
King County - KC Script Portal
- 25 MB file size limit per document
- $50 paper handling fee for non-electronic filings
- PDF format required, searchable preferred
Pierce County - LINX System
- Track-based scheduling system
- PDF format required
- Check local rules for specific deadlines
Snohomish County - eFile & Serve
- Standard e-filing platform
- Similar size limits to King County
- Growing caseload, standard procedures
Washington Exhibit Timeline
King County Civil Case Timeline
ER 904 Notice Deadline
Serve numbered copies with index for document admission without testimony
LCR 4(j) Exhibit List Exchange
Exchange list of all witnesses and exhibits to be offered at trial
ER 904 Objection Deadline
Objections to authenticity must be filed; no objection = deemed authentic
Joint Statement of Evidence
5 judicial days before trial - list stipulated exhibits and disputed issues
Exhibit Numbering in Washington
Joint Numbering
- Sequential numbers (1, 2, 3...)
- Single sequence for all parties
- Common in King County
- Include cause number on label
Party Prefixes (Some Courts)
- P-1, P-2 for plaintiff
- D-1, D-2 for defendant
- Check specific court's local rules
- Verify with case management order
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Washington Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours manually for ER 904 compliance
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time plus $50 King County paper fee
WA Compliance
Sequential numbering, searchable PDFs, e-filing ready for any county
Major Washington Courts
King County Superior Court (Seattle)
Largest court in Washington with Complex Litigation Department. LCR 4(j) requires 21-day exhibit exchange. KC Script Portal mandatory with $50 paper handling fee for non-compliance.
Pierce County Superior Court (Tacoma)
Second largest court using LINX system and track-based scheduling. Civil Division handles significant commercial and personal injury litigation with established case management.
Snohomish County Superior Court
Major suburban court north of Seattle using eFile & Serve. Growing civil caseload with standard exhibit procedures per local rules.
Spokane County Superior Court
Largest court in Eastern Washington. Check local procedures for exhibit exchange and e-filing requirements specific to this jurisdiction.
Common Washington Rejection Reasons
Missed ER 904 30-Day Notice
Without proper 30-day notice, documents require live authenticating testimony at trial.
Paper Filing in King County
Non-electronic filings incur $50 paper handling fee. Use KC Script Portal instead.
Late Exhibit List Exchange
Missing 21-day deadline under LCR 4(j) may result in exhibit exclusion.
Wrong County E-Filing System
Each county has different systems. Verify: King=KC Script, Pierce=LINX, Snohomish=eFile & Serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does King County LCR 4(j) require for exhibits?
LCR 4(j) requires exchange of exhibit lists 21 days before trial. The list must include all witnesses and exhibits you expect to offer, except impeachment materials.
How does ER 904 streamline exhibit admission?
ER 904 allows documents to be admitted without live authenticating testimony if you give 30-day notice with numbered copies and an index. If no objection is filed within 14 days, documents are deemed authentic.
What is the Joint Statement of Evidence?
Due 5 judicial days before trial, the Joint Statement lists which exhibits are stipulated and identifies any disputed authenticity issues. This helps the court manage exhibit admission efficiently.
Why does King County charge a $50 paper fee?
King County encourages electronic filing through KC Script Portal. The $50 paper handling fee applies to documents filed conventionally. E-filing is mandatory for most civil matters.
Ready to Prepare Washington Court Exhibits?
Create LCR 4(j) and ER 904 compliant exhibits with proper numbering, searchable PDFs, and e-filing ready formatting.
Start Stamping Exhibits