Judicial Information System (JIS) Background Checks
See Snohomish County Superior Court Local Special Proceedings Rule SCLSPR 94.04
What is a JIS Background Check? Superior Court Administration staff conducts a search of the Judicial Information System and provides copies of the existence of any information and proceedings (criminal history) relevant to the placement of the child(ren) in a family law proceeding to Judges and Commissioners.
Why are they needed? To assist the Court in determining finalization of the parenting plan for residential schedules, safe placement of children, and visitation, as well as these and any other safety considerations for 3rd Party Custody petitions. Click here for more information regarding JIS checks 3rd Party Custody Petitions.
When are they needed? Prior to the presentation of a Final Parenting Plan to the Court for entry, the party or parties presenting the final parenting plan shall submit a completed JIS Background form to the Snohomish County Superior Court Programs Office, (formerly Family Court Investigations) located on the 1st Floor of the Superior Court, Room C-140.
Note: For 3rd Party Custody Petitions: JIS Background check forms for these petitions are conducted by the County Clerk’s Facilitator’s Office. They are located on the 1st Floor of the Courthouse, Room C-125. Please submit directly to the Facilitator’s Office, not through this website.
What is the deadline for submitting a JIS Background Form? Per local court rule, the JIS request must be submitted no less than five (5) court days prior to the date of presentation of the final parenting plan. There is no cost to the parties for this check.
Note: The results of the JIS expire 14 days after they are run. If you submit a JIS and your matter does not move forward for any reason within the week following your anticipated presentation, you will need to re-submit the JIS.
What happens to these checks once they are performed? Where are they filed and who has access? Once you submit your JIS form and Court Administration completes the check, the form and results are given directly to the Judge or Commissioner for review at least two (2) days prior to the proposed parenting plan presentation date. All information is kept in the confidential portion of the case file, also known as the GR22 file.
How can I submit my JIS? Click on the link below to access the form online. You may submit your completed JIS in the following ways only, DO NOT FILE JIS FORMS IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE - THEY WILL NOT BE RUN.
1. Mail:
Snohomish County Superior Court, M/S 502
Attn: Programs Office – JIS Checks
3000 Rockefeller
Everett, WA 98201
2. In person:
Programs Office, 1st Floor of the Courthouse, Room C-140
3. Via email:
Click on the link below for instructions and to send via email. NOTE: If submitting via email, incomplete or incorrectly completed forms will be rejected and may result in a delay of performing your JIS check.
You do not need to call or email to see if your check was completed if it was submitted appropriately.
No faxed JIS forms will be accepted. Please do not alter the form in any way.
If you have any further questions regarding the JIS, you may call Court Administration at 425.388.3564 or 425.388.3119.
· Link to Snohomish County Local Special Proceedings Rule SCLSPR 94.04 - scroll to PART V - Special Proceeding Rules (SCLSPR), click on link
· Link to JIS form – see under Domestic Relations Forms
· Link to instructions and submitting the form via email
· Link to Administrative Order regarding JIS for 3rd Party Custody Background Checks