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SUPERIOR COURT CLERK’S OFFICE E-FILING. Presented by: Nancy Jo Campbell And Felicia Corona. Outline. Guidelines Setting Tif Options in PDFCreator Printing to a Tif File Scanning to a Tif File How to sign into the FTP site How to E-File General Information
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SUPERIOR COURTCLERK’S OFFICEE-FILING Presented by: Nancy Jo Campbell And Felicia Corona
Outline • Guidelines • Setting Tif Options in PDFCreator • Printing to a Tif File • Scanning to a Tif File • How to sign into the FTP site • How to E-File • General Information • Attorney Signatures • Common errors; rejected pleadings • Documents that cannot be e-filed • Differences between Superior Court and District Court • Buying new case numbers
Guidelines • Please review the Clerk’s web page for E-Filing guidelines • www.clark.wa.gov/courts/clerk/electronic_filing.html • Superior court accepts black and white 300 DPI Tif images • There are many programs available to convert a document to a Tif. The following is a demonstration of creating a Tif using PDFCreator • It is available for free at PDFFORGE.ORG
Setting TIF Options in PDFCreator • Once PDFCreator has been downloaded and installed, go to the start menu, select all programs, select the PDFCreator folder, and then select PDFCreator • Click on the Options Icon • Click on TIFFin the left column and set the resolution to 300 DPI and the colors to 2 colors (Black/White) G4 fax encoding
Setting TIF Options in PDFCreator • Select Auto-save in the left column • Check the Use Auto-save box • Auto-save format - select TIFF • Filename - Select DocumentFilename • Directory - Click the browse button and locate your destination folder. This will be where the file is saved • Click the save button • Now that the settings are established, you can convert documents into a Tif
Printing to a TIF • From a Microsoft Word document: Click File, and then Print. Under Printer, select the “PDFCreator” Printer, then click the Print button • Open the designated folder to verify that the document was printed
Scanning to a TIF • Copy machines and some printers can be used to scan to a Tif. • You can set the profile on the machines to follow our guidelines • Resolution to 300 DPI • Colors to Black and White • File Type to Tif • Scan one document at a time Ex: A 17 page document scanned as one multipage Tif • Do not scan in color or grayscale
How to Sign into the FTP Site • Right-click on the start button • Select open windows explorer • Click in a blank area of the address bar and type ftp://courts.efile.clark.wa.gov
How to Sign into the FTP Site • After you hit enter, the “log on as” box will open • Type your username and password • Select log on
How to E-File • Once you are logged in, you will see two folders. District Court and Superior court • Double click on Superior Court, then the law firm name, and then the individual attorney’s name
Open a second window and find the document you want to e-file. Drag and drop it into your e-file folder Your document has now been e-filed How to E-File
Confirmation Email and Conformed Copy • A confirmation email will be sent to the primary email address that was registered • If you do not receive the confirmation email within minutes of e-filing, call (360) 397-2292 ext.4250
Attorney Signatures • Each pleading must be signed with the correct signature format • Acceptable formats include: • Physical signature – scanned image of actual signature • Electronic Signature Example : • Further information regarding electronic signatures can be found under GR 30 – electronic filing rule s/ John Attorney State Bar Number 12345 ABC Law Firm 123 South Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104Phone: (206) 123-4567 Fax: (206) 123-4567 E-mail: John.Attorney@lawfirm.com
Rejected Pleadings/Common Errors • Poor Quality Images • Resolution is less than 300 DPI • Documents with color attachments Note: Color documents need to be filed in person • Tif files in color/grayscale creates a large size image • Margins need to comply with GR14, otherwise the file stamp will cover the text (3” top, 1” bottom and sides) • PDF format will not be imported at all • TIFF will not import, only TIF • Pleading is not signed or is signed incorrectly • Document is missing pages Note: Please put the page count in the upper left corner • ORDERS SIGNED BY A JUDGE/COMMISSIONER CANNOTBE E-FILED When a pleading is rejected, the file stamp will be crossed out and the image will be emailed back with instructions on what corrections need to be made.
Documents That Cannot Be E-Filed • Court orders signed by a Judge/Commissioner - Original orders cannot leave the Clerk’s Office • Ex parte orders to be signed by ex parte Judge/Commissioner • Foreign judgments • Original wills and codicils, including new probate cases that include original wills or codicils • Certified records of proceedings for purposes of appeal • Negotiable instruments • Bail bonds • Documents presented for filing during a court hearing or trial • Documents of foreign governments under official seal • Bench copies for the judicial office • Documents for filing in an Aggravated Murder case • Administrative Law Review (ALR) Petitions • Interpleader or Surplus Funds Petitions • Documents submitted for in camera review • Affidavits for Writs of Garnishment and Writs of Execution • Writs (that have to be issued by the Clerk) • Letters of Testamentary • Letters of Guardianship • Letters of Administration • 3rd Party Custody – non parental
Differences Between Superior Court and District Court E-Filing • The Clerk’s Office does not accept PDF’s files, only Tif’s • Legal Assistants cannot obtain their own username and password • Attorneys, certified professional guardians, registered GAL’s, and WA State agencies may register for Superior Court E-Filing • E-Filing in Superior Court is optional, in District Court it is mandatory
Buying Case Numbers In Advance • Call (360) 397-2292 ext. 4250 to purchase new case numbers • Civil, domestic, and probate case numbers may be purchased • Limit: 100 case numbers • Forms of payment are debit/credit cards and e-checks • Debit/Credit card fee: 3.5% per case number • Ex: Civil filing fee of $240 will result in an $8 transaction fee • E-check fee: $2 per transaction • Multiple case types and/or case numbers can be purchased in one transaction • Ex:100 case numbers can be purchased for a $2 fee **Note: Please be sure to include a Case Information Cover Sheet when filing a new case
Summary • The presentation and tutorial videos are available on the Clark County website: www.clark.wa.gov/courts/clerk/electronic_filing.html • On behalf of the Superior Court Clerk’s Office, we hope that this presentation has helped in the understanding of the e-filing process Thank You