Washington State Appellate
Filings Word Counts

On September 1, 2021, a new Rule of Appellate Procedure (RAP) will take effect. The new rule (RAP 18.17) will replace existing page limits with word count limits for appellate court filings. RAP 18.17 will also require the use of 14 point font.

When Does the Rule Take Effect

The new rule takes effect on September 1, 2021.

What Changes Are Being Made

Prior to September 1, 2021, filings in the Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals were subject to page limits and allowed use of 12 point font. Starting September 1, 2021, filings in the Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals will switch from page limits to maximum word counts, and will require the use of 14 point font.

The word count includes the body of the brief (all sections and headings), footnotes, and block quotes. The word count excludes the title sheet, the table of contents, the table of authorities, the certificate of compliance, the certificate of service, signature blocks, and pictorial images (e.g., photographs, maps, diagrams, and exhibits).

Who is Affected

RAP 18.17 applies to any attorney or self-represented litigant filing any document in the Washington State Court of Appeals or Supreme Court if the document is prepared using word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.

A person handwriting a filing or using a typewriter is not required to use word counts. Instead, those filings are subject to page counts. Additionally, a document produced using a typewriter can continue to use 12 point font.

Additional Guidance

What are the page count/word count requirement differences between the old rules and the new RAP 18.17 requirements?

How do I check to ensure that I am within the maximum word count limit using Microsoft Word?

1. Review RAP 18.17(c) Length Limitations and identify the type of document you are filing with the appellate court. Each type of document will have different word count limits.
2. Highlight the main (body) text of the document (excluding the appendices, the title sheet, the table of contents, the table of authorities, the certificate of compliance, the certificate of service, signature blocks, and pictorial images (e.g., photographs, maps, diagrams, and exhibits). TIP: If pictorial images are included in the main text of your document, it is recommended that you temporarily remove the image from the document. The image may be added back into the document once the word count process is complete.
3. After highlighting the main (body) text of the document, click on the REVIEW tool tab (see image below) at the top of the Microsoft Word window.



4. In the REVIEW tool tab, click the word count button (see image below).



5. A box will pop up in the middle of your screen. The number that appears next to "words" (see image below) is your word count number. Make sure the box at the bottom of the pop up window is checked so that the total word count includes all textboxes, footnotes, and endnotes.



6. Add a short statement above the signature line certifying the number of words contained in the document. See RAP 18.17(b). NOTE: The signor may rely on the word count calculation of the word processing software used to prepare the brief.

How do I check to ensure that I am within the maximum page limit if I am using a typewriter or hand writing my document?

1. Review RAP 18.17(c) Length Limitations and identify the type of document you are filing with the appellate court. Each type of document will have different word count limits. NOTE: The page limits for hand written or typewriter created documents have not changed, but are now located in the new RAP 18.17.
2. Submit document as usual to the appellate court. NOTE: There is no need to certify the number of pages or word count contained in your filing, but you should include page numbers.