HB 2543
SignedHouse
County clerk fees
Concerning county clerk fees.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill updates and expands court filing and service fees across Washington’s superior courts, including new and adjusted charges for family court actions, jury trials, document copies, and other court services. It specifically directs revenue from family filing fees to support domestic violence prevention and services, and clarifies that these fees are not subject to prior revenue-sharing rules. Most changes take effect on July 28, 2026.
- A $54 fee is added for the initial filing of divorce, legal separation, or paternity cases; $48 of that goes to the state’s domestic violence prevention account, and $6 supports local domestic violence services (with 5% retained by courts for admin).
- Jury demand fees: $125 for a 6-person jury, $250 for a 12-person jury, with an additional $125 if a party later requests a 12-person jury after a 6-person one was already demanded.
- Copies of court documents: $5 for the first page of a certified copy, $1 per additional page; 50 cents per page for non-certified copies; $25 per court date for audio/video recordings.
- New or adjusted fees for various filings—including $200 for extending a judgment, $25 for civil arbitration requests (with $30 going to indigent defense), $35 for filing frivolous lien claims, and $30 for processing ex parte orders.
- Revenue from these fees is no longer subject to state-mandated division with other funds, and counties may retain portions for specific local purposes (e.g., domestic violence services).
Who is affected
- People filing family court cases (e.g., divorce, legal separation, paternity) — Individuals filing for divorce, legal separation, or paternity actions will pay a new $54 fee on top of the standard filing fee; half of that ($48) supports state domestic violence prevention efforts, and the rest helps fund local domestic violence services.
- Civil and criminal litigants who request a jury trial — Parties requesting a jury in civil or criminal cases will pay higher fees—$125 for a 6-person jury or $250 for a 12-person jury—with additional charges if a jury size is increased after the initial request.
- Individuals or entities requesting copies or recordings of court documents or proceedings — People requesting court documents (certified copies, electronic copies, photos, or recordings) will face new or adjusted fees, including $5 for the first page of a certified copy, 50 cents per page for non-certified copies, and $25 per court date for audio/video recordings.
- County governments (especially superior court clerks and local domestic violence service providers) — Counties will collect and report on domestic violence service funding from specific fees and may retain small portions for administrative use, while also receiving reimbursement for past judicial benefits.
- Low-income residents accessing the court system — Low-income individuals may benefit indirectly from $30 of each civil arbitration filing fee going to indigent defense services, and from reduced fees for some court services.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
The $48 portion of the $54 family filing fee and $30 of each civil arbitration filing fee are dedicated to domestic violence prevention and indigent defense services, respectively—targeting resources to protect vulnerable populations and ensure basic legal representation for those who cannot afford it.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(b), 2(24)Revenue from family filing fees is directed to domestic violence services and is no longer subject to prior revenue-sharing rules, allowing counties to retain portions for local service delivery—potentially increasing accountability and responsiveness to community needs.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(b), 2(29)Counties may retain up to 5% of the $54 family filing fee for administrative costs and can retain other fee portions for local domestic violence services, improving local capacity to manage and report on these programs without state interference.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(29)The bill provides full reimbursement to counties for the state’s share of prior superior court judge benefits, resolving a long-standing fiscal imbalance and restoring local budget predictability—though this is a one-time fiscal correction rather than an ongoing benefit.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2(29)The $30 per civil arbitration filing fee dedicated to indigent defense services expands funding for legal aid, helping ensure fair access to the legal system for low-income litigants in civil matters—though the $250 cap may limit participation by low-value claims.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2(24)
Potential Concerns (5)
A $54 fee for initial filing of divorce, legal separation, or paternity cases will increase the upfront cost of accessing family court, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income individuals seeking to end marriages or establish parentage—especially those without legal representation or shared legal costs.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2(2)(b)Jury demand fees ($125 for 6-person, $250 for 12-person) and the $125 surcharge for upgrading from 6 to 12 jurors will significantly increase litigation costs for civil plaintiffs and defendants who cannot afford to waive jury trials—effectively creating a two-tiered justice system where wealthier parties can afford larger juries while others cannot.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2(3)(a)New and increased fees for court document copies ($5 first page certified, $1 each additional; $25 per court date for recordings) will burden individuals representing themselves or seeking to appeal, especially those with limited means—these are not discretionary services but often mandatory for due process and appeal rights.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2(4)(a)-(f), (15)Fees for civil arbitration ($250 max, with $30 going to indigent defense) and frivolous lien claims ($35) may deter low-income individuals from pursuing legitimate claims or defending against meritless ones, as the cost of filing or responding may exceed the value of the underlying dispute—particularly harmful in small-claims-level civil disputes.
FinancialLean industryRef: Sec. 2(18), 2(24)While $48 of the $54 family filing fee supports domestic violence prevention, the bill does not ensure that the fee increase will increase access to services for survivors—many survivors may be financially constrained and deterred by the new $54 barrier, potentially delaying or preventing them from seeking legal protection.
Public SafetyLean industryRef: Sec. 2(2)(b), 2(29)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income individuals filing for divorce, legal separation, or paternity will face a new $54 barrier—potentially delaying or preventing access to legal recourse, especially for survivors of domestic violence who may lack independent income or assets.
Civil litigants who request jury trials—especially those without deep pockets—will face higher costs ($125–$250), which may discourage legitimate jury demands and tilt proceedings toward bench trials that favor more experienced or resourced parties.
Low-income individuals seeking court documents or recordings for appeals or self-representation will face new per-page and per-date fees, compounding the financial burden of navigating the legal system without counsel.
Counties gain flexibility to retain fee revenue for domestic violence services and administrative costs, and receive full reimbursement for prior judicial benefits—though this does not offset the broader cost shift to residents.
Survivors of domestic violence may benefit from increased funding for prevention and services, but could be harmed if the $54 filing fee deters them from seeking legal protection due to financial constraints or fear of financial exposure to abusers.