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WashingtonHB 12072025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning superior court clerk fees.

Sponsored By: My-Linh Thai (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

Filings that no longer have a fee

There is no clerk fee when an order of dismissal is filed on the clerk’s record as the Washington Supreme Court rules require. There is no fee to file a petition to relinquish parental rights under RCW 26.33.080, and no charge for the listed forms and brochures under RCW 7.105.115. There is also no fee when a county clerk files an abstract of judgment for another county to collect legal financial obligations.

Criminal conviction fee with indigency waiver

An adult criminal defendant must pay a $200 fee when convicted or on a guilty plea. The $200 also applies if you fail to prosecute an appeal from a court of limited jurisdiction, or if that conviction is affirmed. The fee is not charged if you are indigent under RCW 10.01.160(3). The court may waive or reduce a fee if it finds you are indigent.

Extra court surcharges and where they go

Most superior court filings pay an extra $40 on top of the base fee; this does not apply to civil appeals, antiharassment petitions, or the criminal‑conviction fee. Civil appeals pay an extra $30. Filings to start a civil case, civil appeals, judicial review petitions, crime‑victim debt notices, probate filings, and will contests also pay a $50 surcharge. For the $50 surcharge, counties send $45 to the state ($20 to the legacy project/library/archives account and $25 to the judicial stabilization trust account) and keep the rest. For the $30 and $40 surcharges, counties send 75% to the judicial stabilization trust account and keep 25%. Some filings can owe more than one surcharge.

What you pay to file in superior court

The law sets these superior court filing fees. It is $200 to file the first paper in most civil cases and for any counterclaim, cross‑claim, or third‑party claim. It is $45 to start an unlawful detainer (eviction) case, and $0 for compulsory school attendance cases. You pay $200 to file a civil appeal or an appeal from a limited‑jurisdiction court (not for a criminal defendant), and $200 for a petition for judicial review. It is $53 to file an antiharassment protection order. You also pay $200 to file a crime‑victim debt notice, to start probate, or to file a will contest or related petition.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • My-Linh Thai

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 134 • No: 107

House vote • 4/26/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 54 • No: 44

Senate vote • 4/26/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 27 • No: 21

House vote • 4/17/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 53 • No: 42 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/19/2025House

  2. Chapter 357, 2025 Laws.

    5/19/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/19/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/27/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/27/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/27/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 54; nays, 44; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/26/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/26/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 27; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/26/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/26/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/26/2025House

  12. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/25/2025House

  13. Minority; do not pass.

    4/25/2025House

  14. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/25/2025House

  15. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/25/2025House

  16. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/25/2025House

  17. First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

    4/19/2025House

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 53; nays, 42; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/17/2025House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/17/2025House

  20. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    4/17/2025House

  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/16/2025House

  22. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    4/8/2025House

  23. Minority; do not pass.

    4/8/2025House

  24. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/8/2025House

  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025House

Bill Text

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