Where does our court file its judge's Oath of Office?
Judges' oaths are filed differently depending upon the court level.
Superior Courts
Per RCW 2.08.080 - Oath of office, oaths for superior court judges "shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state." The address is:
Secretary of State
Archives and Records Management
P.O. Box 40238
Olympia, WA 98504-0238
Municipal Courts
Per RCW 3.50.097 Judge's oath - Bonds, oaths for municipal court judges "shall be filed in the office of the county auditor." For the address of your county auditor, check the county government pages of your local phone book, or the Web sites - Washington Counties page of the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) Web site.
Per RCW 3.50.097 Judge's oath - Bonds, oaths for municipal court judges "shall be filed in the office of the county auditor." For the address of your county auditor, check the county government pages of your local phone book, or the Web sites - Washington Counties page of the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) Web site.
District Courts
Statute does not specify where a district court judges oath of office is to be filed. This appears to be an oversight and filing such oath with the county auditor, consistent with the requirements for municipal courts should be a safe procedure. The court may choose, absent specific direction, to maintain those records in the court. Maintaining a record of regularity in proceedings and facilitating public access to the record should guide the choice about where to file the oath.
Statute does not specify where a district court judges oath of office is to be filed. This appears to be an oversight and filing such oath with the county auditor, consistent with the requirements for municipal courts should be a safe procedure. The court may choose, absent specific direction, to maintain those records in the court. Maintaining a record of regularity in proceedings and facilitating public access to the record should guide the choice about where to file the oath.
See also Answer: Locating the Oath of Office of a new judge.
RN id: 1432