Agreed Change of Venue
If both parties are in agreement to transfer an active case to another county, you must complete and sign the following documents:
- Motion for Change of Venue
- Declaration in Support of Change of Venue
- Order Changing Venue
Once these forms are completed and signed by both parties, mail the original documents to the Wahkiakum County Clerk’s Office along with the required fees:
- $30 Ex Parte Fee
This fee is required to present the agreed Order to the Judge without a hearing.
If you paid this fee when the case was originally filed, contact our office to confirm whether an additional fee is needed. If no orders have been presented since your original filing, the previously paid Ex Parte fee can be applied to present this order.
- $20 Change of Venue Prep Fee
Required fee for our office to prepare and transmit your case file to the county where the case is being moved.
- New County Filing Fee - made payable to the Clerk's Office in the county the case is being moved to
Contact the Clerk’s Office in the county where the case is being transferred. Ask for the current filing fee and confirm which forms of payment they accept. (Many offices do not accept personal checks.)
When the Parties are Not in Agreement
If only one party wants to change the venue, a court hearing must be scheduled. You must still complete the following documents:
- Motion for Change of Venue
- Declaration in Support of Change of Venue
- Order Changing Venue
To Schedule a hearing, complete and file a Notice of Hearing. Select a date from the Docket Calendar based on the case type for which you are requesting a change of venue. Make sure the selected date allows enough time for the other party to be properly served, in compliance with the applicable RCWs and Local Court Rules.
Make two copies of all completed documents. Submit the original documents to the Clerk’s Office for filing. Serve one set of copies on the other party, following applicable service requirements, and keep the second set for your own records.
Before the hearing, file a Proof of Service with the Court. This must show the date and time of service, as well as the documents served.
You are required to attend the scheduled court hearing. If the Judge grants the motion, the case file will be transferred to the new county after the necessary Change of Venue fees are received by the Wahkiakum County Clerk’s Office.