How to get excused from jury duty in Clark County, Washington
The excusal routes Clark County, Washington actually recognizes — what each one needs, who decides, and where it goes.
Clark writes its rules down, and we hold the document. Policy SUP3, the Superior Court's own Juror Excusal Policy in force since 1 January 2022, was supplied by Jury Administration on 10 September 2026. It says Jury Management staff may excuse anyone over 70 who asks, with no reason required — and it also names, by category, the people they cannot excuse: those in sales or paid on commission, and dependent care. Those requests, the policy says, are to be raised “during voir dire” instead — that is the questioning of jurors in the courtroom on the day, with the judge present, before a jury is picked. It means you have to show up first. Two more things worth knowing before you write anything. An employer cannot submit your request — the policy requires it to come from you. And since February 2025 everything except the initial summons arrives by email and text, including the notice, the day before, telling you whether to report at all.
Your routes in Clark County, Washington
Age 70 or olderIncluded — 70+, on request, no reason needed
Written into court policy: staff may excuse anyone over 70 who requests it. No reason, no documentation, no medical evidence.
Policy SUP3 §3.3(2)(a), Superior Court of Clark County — effective 1 January 2022. The policy lists what Jury Management staff have authority to excuse, and the first item is: “Anyone over the age of 70 who requests to be excused.”
Jury Administration confirmed the same thing by email on 10 September 2026 — “Clark County Superior Court policy allows us to excuse anyone over the age of 70, that requests to be excused. No reason required.”
This is the only county in this project where being over 70 is, on its own, enough. Six others have said otherwise, each in a different way. What makes Clark simple is that the rule is a written local policy made under GR 28(b) rather than a statute — and policy is exactly the kind of rule that differs from one courthouse to the next.
If you are over 70 and the reason is medical, the office adds a separate note: talk to your provider and ask for a note requesting excusal — “we don’t request any diagnosis, conditions, or other confidential health information.”
See the full detail →Jury Administration confirmed the same thing by email on 10 September 2026 — “Clark County Superior Court policy allows us to excuse anyone over the age of 70, that requests to be excused. No reason required.”
This is the only county in this project where being over 70 is, on its own, enough. Six others have said otherwise, each in a different way. What makes Clark simple is that the rule is a written local policy made under GR 28(b) rather than a statute — and policy is exactly the kind of rule that differs from one courthouse to the next.
If you are over 70 and the reason is medical, the office adds a separate note: talk to your provider and ask for a note requesting excusal — “we don’t request any diagnosis, conditions, or other confidential health information.”
DeferralIncluded — three, and the first one is instant
Up to three deferrals, none more than six months out from your original term. The first you do yourself in the portal — a calendar appears and you pick a week.
Policy SUP3 §3.2, made under GR 28(b) — effective 1 January 2022. “Pursuant to GR 28(b), up to three (3) requests for deferral may be approved by Superior Court Jury Management staff for up to six months from the original jury service term.”
Jury Administration adds how it works in practice: “Jurors responding online through their juror portal can defer themselves automatically if it’s their first one. A calendar pops up and they get to choose a week in the next 6 months that works best for them.”
Read the ceiling carefully. Six months runs from the term you were originally given, so three deferrals do not buy eighteen months — they redistribute one six-month window. If your situation will outlast that, deferring is not the answer and voir dire is.
Since February 2025, everything except the initial summons comes by email and text, including the notice the day before telling you whether to report at all. If the office holds an old address or number for you, that is the message you will miss.
See the full detail →Jury Administration adds how it works in practice: “Jurors responding online through their juror portal can defer themselves automatically if it’s their first one. A calendar pops up and they get to choose a week in the next 6 months that works best for them.”
Read the ceiling carefully. Six months runs from the term you were originally given, so three deferrals do not buy eighteen months — they redistribute one six-month window. If your situation will outlast that, deferring is not the answer and voir dire is.
Since February 2025, everything except the initial summons comes by email and text, including the notice the day before telling you whether to report at all. If the office holds an old address or number for you, that is the message you will miss.
Jury service in the past yearIncluded — if you served in the last 12 months
If you were summoned and appeared for jury service in the preceding twelve months, staff may excuse you on request. Superior Court, district or municipal court, federal court and juries of inquest all count.
Policy SUP3 §3.3(2)(c), Superior Court of Clark County. “Prior Jury Duty — a juror who has previously served may be excused only if he or she has submitted a request to be excused because the juror was summoned and appeared for jury service within the preceding twelve months. Such prior jury service may include service in Superior Court, a Court of Limited Jurisdiction, the United States District Court, or service on a jury of inquest.”
Two details do the work here. The window is twelve months, not two years — some counties use twenty-four, and Clark does not. And it is not automatic: the policy says the juror must have submitted a request. Serving last spring will not take you off this year’s list by itself.
See the full detail →Two details do the work here. The window is twelve months, not two years — some counties use twenty-four, and Clark does not. And it is not automatic: the policy says the juror must have submitted a request. Serving last spring will not take you off this year’s list by itself.
Medical conditionIncluded — but the recovery has to run over a year
A condition that is likely to improve, where recovery takes longer than a year. A doctor’s note may be asked for. The office wants no diagnosis and no records.
Policy SUP3 §3.3(2)(b), Superior Court of Clark County. “Medical Condition — a medical condition which is likely to improve but the recovery time is longer than one year. A doctor’s note may be required upon the request of Jury Management staff.”
That is a much narrower test than it sounds when the office describes it in an email, and it is worth reading twice. A broken leg with a three-month recovery does not meet it. Neither does a course of treatment that finishes inside the year. What the policy is describing is a condition you will still be recovering from twelve months from now.
If the condition will not improve, this is the wrong route — the policy handles that separately, as permanent removal, and that route does want provider documentation.
There is nothing for us to sell here. Clark asks for no clinical detail at all: “Jurors will request this through their juror portal when responding to their summons. We send them an email response with the steps for them to provide medical documentation to us via email… We don’t request any diagnosis, conditions, or other confidential health information.” A document setting out your diagnosis and prognosis would be handing this county more than it asked for. Ask first, then send.
See the full detail →That is a much narrower test than it sounds when the office describes it in an email, and it is worth reading twice. A broken leg with a three-month recovery does not meet it. Neither does a course of treatment that finishes inside the year. What the policy is describing is a condition you will still be recovering from twelve months from now.
If the condition will not improve, this is the wrong route — the policy handles that separately, as permanent removal, and that route does want provider documentation.
There is nothing for us to sell here. Clark asks for no clinical detail at all: “Jurors will request this through their juror portal when responding to their summons. We send them an email response with the steps for them to provide medical documentation to us via email… We don’t request any diagnosis, conditions, or other confidential health information.” A document setting out your diagnosis and prognosis would be handing this county more than it asked for. Ask first, then send.
Permanent removal for a condition that will not improveIncluded — permanent, and it is a separate route
Terminal illness, or a serious debilitating condition that will not improve, takes your name off the jury database permanently rather than for one term. This is the one route where Clark does want provider documentation.
Policy SUP3, definitions — Superior Court of Clark County. “Permanent Removal is the process by which a citizen’s name is permanently removed from the JURY + database. Permanent removal will be granted for death of juror. Permanent removal will be considered for terminal illness, or serious, debilitating health condition which will not improve, confirmed by healthcare provider documentation and recommendation.”
No other county in this project draws this line. Clark splits medical circumstances in two by asking one question — will it improve? If yes but slowly, it is an excusal for the year. If no, it is removal from the database altogether, and you should not have to do this again.
Note the verbs. Removal will be granted for death. For illness it will be considered, on documentation and a recommendation from your provider. That is a real decision by the court, not a form that clears itself.
See the full detail →No other county in this project draws this line. Clark splits medical circumstances in two by asking one question — will it improve? If yes but slowly, it is an excusal for the year. If no, it is removal from the database altogether, and you should not have to do this again.
Note the verbs. Removal will be granted for death. For illness it will be considered, on documentation and a recommendation from your provider. That is a real decision by the court, not a form that clears itself.
Full-time student living more than 60 miles awayIncluded — postponed, not excused
Full-time students who live more than 60 miles from the Clark County Courthouse are postponed to a later date in the same calendar year.
Policy SUP3 §3.2, Superior Court of Clark County. “Full time students, living more than 60 miles from the Clark County Courthouse, will be postponed to a date a future date within the calendar year.”
Read what it does and does not do. This is a postponement, not an excusal — your name stays in the pool and you will be given another date inside the same calendar year. If you are away for a full academic year, that matters: the new date may land in a term too.
The 60 miles is measured from the courthouse in Vancouver, and the policy attaches no hardship test. Two facts decide it: full-time enrolment, and where you live.
See the full detail →Read what it does and does not do. This is a postponement, not an excusal — your name stays in the pool and you will be given another date inside the same calendar year. If you are away for a full academic year, that matters: the new date may land in a term too.
The 60 miles is measured from the courthouse in Vancouver, and the policy attaches no hardship test. Two facts decide it: full-time enrolment, and where you live.
No way to get thereIncluded — after you have tried the alternatives
No valid driver’s license or no vehicle, and no public transport readily available — after reasonable attempts have been made.
Policy SUP3 §3.3(2)(d), Superior Court of Clark County. “Transportation — those without transportation, either without a valid driver’s license or vehicle, and public transportation is not readily available, after reasonable attempts have been made.”
The county does not provide transport, and it treats the absence of it as a real ground rather than an inconvenience — but the wording is conjunctive. All three parts have to be true at once: no license or no vehicle, no public transport readily available, and reasonable attempts already made.
That last clause is doing work. A request that only says “I have no car” leaves staff unable to apply the policy. One that says which route was checked and why it does not reach the courthouse in time gives them everything the rule asks for.
See the full detail →The county does not provide transport, and it treats the absence of it as a real ground rather than an inconvenience — but the wording is conjunctive. All three parts have to be true at once: no license or no vehicle, no public transport readily available, and reasonable attempts already made.
That last clause is doing work. A request that only says “I have no car” leaves staff unable to apply the policy. One that says which route was checked and why it does not reach the courthouse in time gives them everything the rule asks for.
Active military duty out of the areaIncluded — active duty, stationed away
Active military duty stationed outside the local area is a listed ground for excusal by Jury Management staff.
Policy SUP3 §3.3(2)(e), Superior Court of Clark County. “Military Service — active military duty stationed out of the local area.”
Short, and both halves count. Being in the service is not the ground; being on active duty and stationed away from the area is. Because it is on the policy’s list of grounds Jury Management staff may act on, it is decided in the office rather than in a courtroom.
See the full detail →Short, and both halves count. Being in the service is not the ground; being on active duty and stationed away from the area is. Because it is on the policy’s list of grounds Jury Management staff may act on, it is decided in the office rather than in a courtroom.
Not qualified to serveIncluded — answer the questionnaire and staff act on it
Under 18, not a US citizen, not a resident of Clark County, unable to communicate in English, or a felony conviction without civil rights restored. Staff review the questionnaire and excuse you.
RCW 2.36.070, applied under policy SUP3 §3.1. RCW 2.36.070 provides that a person is competent to serve as a juror in Washington unless that person: “(1) Is less than eighteen years of age; (2) Is not a citizen of the United States; (3) Is not a resident of the county in which he or she has been summoned to serve; (4) Is not able to communicate in the English language; or (5) Has been convicted of a felony and has not had his or her civil rights restored.”
SUP3 §3.1 turns that into an office procedure: “If a juror is found to be ineligible, the Jury Management staff will excuse the juror for the jury term. If a juror submits a questionnaire and has failed to answer the disqualification questions, staff will follow up with the juror regarding the juror’s qualification to serve.”
The commonest of these by far is residency, because people move. It is the county that matters, not the state.
See the full detail →SUP3 §3.1 turns that into an office procedure: “If a juror is found to be ineligible, the Jury Management staff will excuse the juror for the jury term. If a juror submits a questionnaire and has failed to answer the disqualification questions, staff will follow up with the juror regarding the juror’s qualification to serve.”
The commonest of these by far is residency, because people move. It is the county that matters, not the state.
Financial hardship, commission income, or dependent careNamed in the policy as something staff cannot excuse
Clark’s policy names these as grounds Jury Management staff have no authority to act on, and directs them to voir dire — the part of the first morning where the judge and the lawyers question the jurors in the courtroom, before a jury is chosen. Nothing is decided in advance and there is no form.
Policy SUP3 §3.3, Superior Court of Clark County — grounds not excusable by staff. After listing what Jury Management staff may excuse, the policy lists what they may not: “Religious Beliefs. Law enforcement/Corrections Officers. Court Personnel/County Employees. Legal Professionals and Staff. Those who are in sales or paid commission basis. Dependent Care.” It then says: “Jurors who request to be excused for the reasons stated above are advised to raise these concerns during voir dire.”
Two of those are worth pausing on. Sales or paid commission basis is the classic financial-hardship case — income that simply stops — and Clark has decided in advance that its staff cannot act on it. Dependent care means that a caregiver here has no advance path either, which is unusual: several counties treat caregiving as a straightforward excusal.
Jury Administration says the same thing in its own words: “Jury Administration cannot excuse jurors in advance for these requests. Jurors are encouraged to express this request during the jury selection process if they’re required to report.” So a written request is not refused so much as it has nowhere to go: the staff who receive it have no authority to act on it. The decision belongs to a judge, in the room, on the day.
One thing worth knowing before you weigh the effort: an excusal does not buy you time. The office says every citizen in Washington is eligible to be summoned every 12 months and “if excused, a person can be summoned again in as little as 12 months” — though it also notes that it summons fewer than 10% of the county population in a year.
Two of those are worth pausing on. Sales or paid commission basis is the classic financial-hardship case — income that simply stops — and Clark has decided in advance that its staff cannot act on it. Dependent care means that a caregiver here has no advance path either, which is unusual: several counties treat caregiving as a straightforward excusal.
Jury Administration says the same thing in its own words: “Jury Administration cannot excuse jurors in advance for these requests. Jurors are encouraged to express this request during the jury selection process if they’re required to report.” So a written request is not refused so much as it has nowhere to go: the staff who receive it have no authority to act on it. The decision belongs to a judge, in the room, on the day.
One thing worth knowing before you weigh the effort: an excusal does not buy you time. The office says every citizen in Washington is eligible to be summoned every 12 months and “if excused, a person can be summoned again in as little as 12 months” — though it also notes that it summons fewer than 10% of the county population in a year.
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Prepare your Talking Points for Judge →Contact the court
Jury Administration, Clark County Superior Court — PO Box 5000, Vancouver WA 98666Jury line: (564) 397-2049
General inbox [email protected], confirmed by the office on 10 September 2026; juror portal at clark.wa.gov/jury. Jury Administration also answers on (360) 773-6902. Since February 2025 the office communicates by email and text — check that the address and mobile number it holds for you are current, because the report-or-not notice comes that way the day before.
General inbox [email protected], confirmed by the office on 10 September 2026; juror portal at clark.wa.gov/jury. Jury Administration also answers on (360) 773-6902. Since February 2025 the office communicates by email and text — check that the address and mobile number it holds for you are current, because the report-or-not notice comes that way the day before.
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