Wash. Rev. Code » Title 5 · Chapter 5.44
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 5.44.010 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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The records and proceedings of any court of the United States, or any state or territory, or any federally recognized Indian tribe, are admissible in evidence in all cases in this state when duly certified by the attestation of the clerk, prothonotary or other officer having charge of the records of such court, with the seal of such court annexed.
[ 2019 c 39 s 1; 1997 c 358 s 7; Code 1881 s 430; 1877 p 94 s 432; 1869 p 115 s 426; 1854 p 195 s 334; RRS s 1254.]

Notes:

Rules of court: Cf. CR 44(a)(1).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 36 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1954–2026 · leading case: State v. Lee, 558 P.2d 236 (Wash. 1976).
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State v. Lee, 558 P.2d 236 (Wash. 1976). · cites it 4× “CR 44(c) preserves authentication by other means, including RCW 5.44.010, which states: The records and proceedings of any court of the United States, or any state or territory, shall be admissible in evidence in all cases in this state when duly authenticated by the attestation…”
State v. Murdock, 588 P.2d 1143 (Wash. 1979). · cites it 5× “The form of the documents, appellant in effect claimed, was inadequate under RCW 5.44.010 to show they were authentic copies of originals, admissible to prove the fact of the convictions.”
State v. Goggin, 339 P.3d 983 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 4× “Goggin’s argument, reasoning certified court records are admissible under RCW 5.44.010 and are not testimonial evidence, rendering Crawford inapplicable.”
State v. Descoteaux, 614 P.2d 179 (Wash. 1980). · cites it 2× “1967); see generally 27 Am. Jur. 2d Escape, Prison Breaking, and Rescue § 19 (1966).”
State Of Washington, V Justin Michael Hart, 381 P.3d 142 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “at 187 (citing RCW 5.44.010, .040;Benefiel, 131 Wn. App.”
State v. Harris, 148 Wash. App. 22 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “Accordingly, we hold that the State presented judgments and sentences for each of the five prior Louisiana convictions. *32 ¶18 We next turn to whether the judgment and sentences were certified.”
State v. Rivers, 128 P.3d 608 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “Copies of the judgment and sentence which are to be admitted to prove the fact of any conviction must be certified by the court with the seal of the court annexed, as required by RCW 5.44.010.[ 47 ] ¶35 The court further stated that this rule of evidence and due process had been…”
State v. Ross, 634 P.2d 887 (Wash. Ct. App. 1981). · cites it 2× “Defendant argues that the copies of the King County convictions are not properly authenticated under RCW 5.44.010 and/or CR 44, 1 because the clerk's certification is by facsimile rather than by actual signature.”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Connick, 28 P.3d 729 (Wash. 2001). “44 RCW relating to proof of public documents provides in specific instances as follows: RCW 5.44.010 Court records and proceedings — When admissible.”
State v. Kelly, 328 P.2d 362 (Wash. 1958). · cites it 2× “In the O’Dell case, we held that a certification by the wardén of the Oregon state penitentiary that a specified document was an exact copy of a judgment and sentence, as certified by the clerk of the court, was not sufficient to meet the requirements of RCW 5.44.010, which…”
State v. Barnes, 774 P.2d 547 (Wash. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 2× “See RCW 5.44.010; CR 44(a)(1); ER 901. I also disagree with the majority's reliance on ER 608(b).”
State v. Benefiel, 128 P.3d 1251 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “RCW 5.44.010. Extrinsic evidence of the authenticity of a certified copy of a public record is not required as a condition precedent to admissibility.”
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