Pro Hac Vice
If you are licensed in another jurisdiction and want to appear in a Washington State Court (municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts) in a particular action or proceeding, you may seek permission from the court to appear in that case. These procedures apply only to Washington courts.
To apply for admission to federal courts, please see local federal court rules and procedures.
For administrative hearings, arbitration, and other matters held in Washington state but not in a state court, confer with the administrative hearing officials or arbitration provider to determine if pro hac vice admission is required.
WSBA members, regardless of status, are not eligible for pro hac vice admission.
Please read Admission and Practice Rule 8(b) before applying for pro hac vice admission.
How to Apply for Pro Hac Vice Admission
To be completed by the out-of-state lawyer applicant. We are no longer accepting paper applications.
- Navigate to the WSBA online registration page: https://admissions.wsba.org/registration
- Click the Pro Hac Vice button.
- Complete the application and upload required forms (in PDF).
- Submit application and application fee (if applicable).
Submit the online application:
- A copy of the motion (must be in PDF format). Applicants are required to file with the court the original motion and proposed order. Use the form motions with proposed orders for the appropriate court level in Washington, as listed in the right column of this page.
- A nonrefundable fee equal to the active status license fee for a WSBA member plus the client protection fund assessment paid to the WSBA. Pay the fee for each lawyer on each case; e.g., applicants may file one motion to admit two lawyers Pro Hac Vice, but the fee will be double. It is not necessary to pay another fee when appealing to a higher court in a case in which Pro Hac Vice has been granted in the lower court, but it is necessary to file a motion. If a new lawyer is handling the appeal, a new fee is required.
Please Note: Our service provider will charge you a separate, non-refundable transaction fee of 2.5% on all bank card transactions. There is no transaction fee if you mail in a check.
Applicants will receive an acknowledgment that the application has been received and a receipt from the WSBA.
The court will decide whether to grant the motion and the WSBA does not have a record of whether admission Pro Hac Vice was granted. Please contact the court for that information. The WSBA maintains a record only of the applications/motions for Pro Hac Vice admission.
Exception for Indigent Representation
The fee is not required for a lawyer rendering service for no fee in either a bar association or government-sponsored legal services organization or in a public defender’s office or similar
program providing legal services to indigents and only in that capacity.
Exception for Military Lawyers
The fee and associated counsel are not required for a lawyer who is a full-time active duty military officer serving in the office of a staff judge advocate of the United States Army, Air Force, Navy,
Marines, or Coast Guard, a Naval Legal Service Office or a trial service office, located in the state of Washington, and who is not receiving any compensation from clients in addition to the military pay to which they are already entitled.
Exception for Indian Child Welfare Cases
The fee and associated counsel are not required for a lawyer who represents a Native American child’s tribe in a child custody proceeding under the Indian Child Welfare Act. Please refer to APR 8(b)(6) for all the requirements to qualify for this exception.
Questions about Pro Hac Vice
If you have questions about Pro Hac Vice admission, contact WSBA Membership Changes at Membershipchanges@wsba.org or 206-239-2131.
