Practical tips for going to court

You may need identification if a document needs to be notarized (when another person checks to make sure you are who you say you are before you sign a document). A driver's license or a state ID card will work. There is a fee for either, but if you get public assistance, such as TANF or food stamps, you might be eligible for an ID card at a reduced cost. Ask your DSHS caseworker to fill out form 16-029 “Request for Identicard.” 

If you live in Seattle, you can have your mail sent to you at the Compass Center Client Services Center at Compass Housing. If you live in a more rural community, you might be eligible to get a post office box at no charge. If you have no other option, you may have your mail delivered "general delivery." If you do this, you’ll need to check the post office often. 

You can get discounted phone service through the Lifeline Program. You might be eligible if you’re at or below 135% of the federal poverty guideline or if you get food stamps, Apple Health, or certain other federal benefits. You can apply the discount to a landline or a cell phone.

To qualify for some benefits, you might need a household income lower than a certain percentage of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These guidelines depend on how much money your household makes before taxes, and how many people live in your house. You can find out if your household qualifies by checking out these charts, based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services federal poverty guidelines.

If you want to buy a computer or tablet, you can get up to $100 off on one through the Affordable Connectivity Program (formerly the Emergency Broadband Benefit.) In the Seattle area, InterConnection offers free or low-cost computers or devices to people with low incomes. If you just need a computer for a court hearing, many local nonprofits and libraries will let you borrow one for a short period of time.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (formerly the Emergency Broadband Benefit) provides up to $30 a month off on internet access. If you only need the internet occasionally, many libraries check out "hot spots" that give you temporary internet access for free.

If you only need to scan a few sheets, and you have a smartphone, it’s cheapest and easiest to use a free app to do it. For bigger projects, your local public library or law library may have a copier that will allow bulk scanning for free.

If you need a standard court form, some courts offer blank copies of the forms, so you won't need to print it. If yours doesn’t, check with your local public library. Many offer free printing, but the systems differ between libraries. 

If these options aren’t available, check with a social service provider. Sometimes they will print things for court, even if they wouldn't normally print things for you.

The courts in King County (Kent) and Spokane County have on-site childcare. You should check in ahead of time to make sure they have space. Daycare isn’t available at the other courthouses in Washington, so you should try to arrange for childcare ahead of time. If you must bring your school-aged children with you, make sure to call their school and excuse them, so you don't get a call later about their absence.

It’s good to have a plan for how to get to court way ahead of time. No matter if you’re taking the bus, driving a car, or getting a ride, try to make sure you have another option, in case something goes wrong. Usually courthouses have parking available, but there may be an extra cost or time limits.

Many courts have dress codes. A judge might be more likely to listen to what you say if you follow the dress code. 

If you don’t have a suit, try to avoid sleeveless shirts, clothes with rips or stains, clothes with words or pictures that people could think are vulgar or offensive, and flip-flops. The YWCA in some counties provides appropriate clothing for women who need to go to court.

There are some costs related to getting things done in your court case that may require an online payment. If you don't have a credit card, you can buy a prepaid debit card (usually available at grocery stores) for the amount you’ll need to make that payment.