[WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN

Thu Sep 18 10:46:00 PDT 2025

Island County has a local rule requiring filing of a redacted death certificate. LSPR 98.6(b)(2):

(2) Commencing Probate Proceedings. In all cases in which any probate proceeding is filed or commenced; the filing party shall contemporaneously file a copy of the applicable death certificate. Prior to submitting the death certificate for filing with the Clerk, the filing party shall redact the following information from the death certificate: 

(A) Social security number;
(B) Date of birth;
(C) “Maiden name”; and
(D) Cause of death if other than “natural causes” 

The death certificate need not be an original or a certified copy.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2024; amended effective September 1, 2025.] 

--

Margaret Delp (she/her)

Delp Law, PLLC

Mailing Address: PO Box 292, Langley, WA 98260

NEW LOCATION:

5671 Crawford Road

Langley, WA 98260 (next door to Unity of Whidbey)

Phone: 360-579-4530

Fax: 360-512-3114

www.delp-law.com

From: <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> on behalf of Eric Nelsen <eric at sayrelawoffices.com>
Reply-To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 9:04 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN

Yes, that’s what I do too. Short declaration that says:

I have reviewed a certified copy of the death certificate of the above-named Decedent and hereby confirm that s^he died on ^date in ^King County, Washington. For reasons of privacy, I am not filing a copy of the decedent’s death certificate with the court.

Sincerely,

Eric

Eric C. Nelsen

Sayre Law Offices, PLLC

1417 31st Ave South

Seattle WA 98144-3909

206-625-0092

eric at sayrelawoffices.com

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Wendy Allard
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2025 8:28 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN

For years, I have submitted a declaration that I have a copy of the death certificate and have not had an issue (knock on wood).

Wendy

Wendy L. Allard | PRK Livengood

Partner

Peterson Russell Kelly Livengood PLLC

10900 NE 4th Street, Suite 1850

Bellevue, WA 98004

O:  425.462.4700  |   D:  425.990.4016  |   F: 425.451.0714 
wallard at prklaw.com  |  www.prklaw.com

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Brent Williams-Ruth
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 6:22 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN

considering that I have opened 15 probates since July 1st and this is the only one to be denied.....I believe this is Judge Scott.

I was reminded about a prior post from a long time back about an attorney who submits a declaration regarding their review of the death certificate.  I may make up a standard declaration and do the same thing to avoid this as it is just ridiculous. 

Brent Williams-Ruth (pronouns: he/him)
Attorney-At-Law

Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC

Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003

Mailing Address: PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 

Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751

For All Meetings & Scheduling: info at williams-ruthlaw.com

e-mail / website / facebook / 

On Wed, Sep 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM Sandra Perkins <sandra at slplaw.net> wrote:

Back in 2020, I spoke with the Clerk’s office about uploading (and not e-filing) the death certificate.  They specifically told me NOT to redact anything from the death certificate.  It is not e-filed, so it is not public.  It is just for the Court Commissioner to review as part of the Ex Parte submission.

Obviously, Brent is being told something different now.  Is this a new rule, or just a quirk of Judge Scott’s?

Sandra Perkins

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Carl Gay
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 5:04 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN

For a very long time, I have always redacted the decedent’s Social Security number and mother’s maiden name.

Why invite identity theft?

CARL LLOYD GAY

    Non nobis solum nati sumus

      “Not unto ourselves alone are we born” 

                   ~the motto of Willamette University~

                          Law Offices

      GREENAWAY & GAY 

     Attorneys and Counselors at Law 

                     (Established 1985)

734 East First Street       Suite A

Port Angeles, Washington   98362

Email                      carl at greenawaylawfirm.com

Telephone                (360) 452-3323

Facsimile                  (360) 452-3724 

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Brent Williams-Ruth
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 4:44 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN

I just had Judge Scott in King County deny an order opening probate because I didn't comply with GR 31 and because I did not redact the SSN from the death certificate. 

First off - question - does anyone redact the SSN before presenting to open for probate? In the 10 years I have been doing this now, I have never redacted the SSN. Before COVID, I opened cases in person and would just hand up a death certificate.  Then came covid and I would upload BUT NOT FILE;  then came the new KC Script portal and they have the "additional document" tab where again, I would upload but not file. 

GR 31(e)(1) states that you have to redact any personally identifiable information from documents being FILED with the Court. 

Just curious what others do and if you have encountered this before. 

Brent

Brent Williams-Ruth (pronouns: he/him)
Attorney-At-Law

Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC

Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003

Mailing Address: PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 

Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751

For All Meetings & Scheduling: info at williams-ruthlaw.com

e-mail / website / facebook / 

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