Any attorney who is a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar is eligible for admission to practice in the Western District of Washington. Questions about this process should be directed to the attorney admission clerk by phone at (206) 370-8862 or dana_scarp@wawd.uscourts.gov.

Procedure for Admission

Complete a Petition for Admission to Practice (PDF) application, which includes an ECF Registration form, and submit the completed documents along with payment of the $231 filing fee to the Clerk's Office.

Basic Requirements (see the Petition for more details)

• An Oath as well as the information contained in the Petition will be sworn to before a Notary Public. The court does not hold swearing-in ceremonies.
• Certify that you have read the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedures and the Local Rules of this court.
• Submit certificates of two reputable members of the Bar of this court who recommend your admission. You can e-mail the form to the recommending attorneys.
• Pay a filing fee in the amount of $231.

Notification of Admission

• If your Petition for Admission is complete and correct, your name will be entered into the Court's database, you will receive an email with your CM/ECF login credentials and a Certificate of Admission will be mailed to you within 14 days.

Duplicate Certificates

• A duplicate Certificate of Admission or Certificate of Good Standing can be ordered from the Clerk's Office for $19.00.

Other Resources

• Conditional Admissions
  For Federal government attorneys who need to practice in this district.
• Pro Hac Vice Admissions
  Obtain approval to appear in a specific case if you are not a member admitted to practice in this district. The filing fee is $231.00.
• Accepting CJA Appointments
  Work with the Federal Public Defender's Office to provide representation to persons who cannot afford counsel in criminal matters.
• Apply for Leave to Appear as a Legal Intern (PDF)
  Review the instructions and return the application to the attorney admission clerk Dana Scarp at dana_scarp@wawd.uscourts.gov.
• Judiciary Staff Travel Regulations
  For the benefit of traveling contract court interpreters and Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorneys, investigators, and experts.