Washington Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Divorce records in Washington State serve as official proof that a marriage has been legally terminated. These documents are vital for verifying the dissolution of marriage, confirming eligibility for remarriage, tracing genealogy, and supporting legal proceedings, including name change, alimony, child support, immigration applications, and so on. Washington divorce records also form part of the state's public record system, allowing lawful access to individuals and agencies that require verification of marital status. Per Washington State law, divorce (legally termed "dissolution of marriage") is governed by Chapter 26.09 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Once a Superior Court grants a dissolution, the court clerk files a final divorce decree, and a certificate of divorce is forwarded to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Center for Health Statistics. These records confirm that the marriage no longer holds legal validity and document essential information such as the parties' names, date of final decree, and the county of filing.

According to recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 's National Center for Health Statistics, Washington reports roughly 2.7 divorces per 1,000 residents, reflecting a steady decline in the state's divorce rate over the last 10 years, in comparison with the nationwide provisional divorce rate in 2023 which was about 6.1 per 1,000 people (CDC, National Marriage and Divorce Rate Trends, 2000-2023).

With a population of nearly 8 million in 2023(U.S. Census Bureau), data shows that an estimated 1 in 5 adults in Washington is divorced, separated, or previously married. Divorce records are generally public, but accessibility provisions are subject to the Washington Court General Rule 31 (Access to Court Records)

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Washington

In Washington State, divorce (conventionally called "dissolution of marriage" in state statutes and court documents, Revised Code of Washington § 26.09) documentation primarily consists of three types: divorce certificate, divorce decree (or judgment of dissolution), and the divorce case file, which details the full court proceedings of the case.

• Divorce Certificate or Dissolution of Marriage Certificate: Issued by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)'s Center for Health Statistics, this is an official record confirming that a divorce occurred in the state. It is useful when updating identification documents, applying for a name change, or verifying marital status. Divorce certificate content typically includes both parties' full names, marriage and divorce finalization dates, the county where the divorce was granted, the filing number, and registration date with the Department of Health. Anyone can request this document, whether they are related to the divorced parties or not.
• Divorce Decree: A comprehensive legal judgment issued by the Superior Court that terminates a marriage and details the court's rulings. A divorce decree includes the case number, court jurisdiction, the names of the parties and their attorneys, the judgment entered, the finalization dates of the divorce, and provisions for child custody, visitation, and support. It also spells out asset and debt division, alimony or name change provisions, and the judge's signature and court seal.

Owing to the sensitive personal and financial information contained in divorce decrees, they are typically restricted under Washington Court General Rule 31 (Access to Court Records), and identification or a written request may be required to access them.

• Divorce Case Files/Dissolution Proceedings: This is the official court file documenting the court process for a divorce. It includes filings, pleadings, motions, evidence, judgments, petitions, financial disclosures, hearing transcripts, temporary orders, settlement agreements, and final orders related to a divorce proceeding.

A summary of Washington divorce record types and their contents is as follows:

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Washington Department of Health or Vital Records	Proof of legal divorce	Names, date, county, case number
Divorce Decree / Judgment	Family or Superior Court	Details of the settlement and terms	Rulings, custody orders, and property division
Divorce Case File	Superior Court Clerk, Washington State Archives, or Digital Archives	Complete legal history of the divorce from filing to final decree.	Documents filed, petitions, motions, evidence, orders, transcripts, and the decree itself.

Public Access and Confidentiality of Washington Divorce Records

In Washington State, divorce records are generally classified as public records, meaning that most court documents related to divorce are accessible to the public consistent with Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), except when sealed by a court order or other state laws. Publicly available information includes the full names of both spouses, the county where the divorce was granted, the date of the final decree, and the record filing number. Hence, anyone can request a certified copy of a divorce certificate from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) without proof of relationship, at:

In-person services,

However, to protect sensitive personal and financial data, divorce decrees and court proceedings are not publicly accessible. Also, courts may redact or seal certain information, including financial account numbers, property valuations, child custody and visitation records, medical or mental health evaluations, information identifying minors, social security numbers, and other personal identifiers, in compliance with federal and state confidentiality laws. Access to these records may be restricted to:

• Either of the parties involved in the divorce
• Their legal representatives
• Authorized government agencies
• Court-approved individuals with a legitimate interest

What Information Do Washington Divorce Records Include?

The exact information included in a Washington divorce record will typically vary, depending on the county concerned and the type of record that the researcher is looking into. Also, the records available depend on whether the record has been sealed or partially redacted under privacy statutes, particularly in cases involving minors or sensitive financial disclosures. Generally, divorce certificates include the following essential information:

• Full names of the petitioner (the spouse who filed) and the respondent (the other spouse).
• Marriage date
• Date of final divorce order by the court, and the decree filing date
• The county that heard the divorce petition
• The Superior Court that handled the case, per RCW 26.09.010.
• Case number or index number
• Presiding judge or court clerk's signature and court seal

More specific information, such as custody and visitation decisions, property division, and financial information such as alimony and attorney costs, is found in the divorce decree.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Washington

Individuals seeking divorce records in Washington can access them through several official government channels, both online and physicallyphysically. The primary sources include:

• The Washington Department of Health (DOH)'s Vital Records Division
• County Superior Courts
• Washington Courts' online judicial databases, such as the Odyssey Portal.
• Washington State Archives or State Library (for older or historical records)

Divorce certificates can be obtained through the Department of Health (DOH) for a processing fee of around $25 per copy. Certified divorce decrees and case files must be requested from the Superior Court where the divorce was finalized. Many online court portals allow users to search for case summaries at no cost; however, printing or acquiring certified copies may involve per-page fees or certification charges.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	Washington Department of Health	1962-present	Certificates only	$15-25
Judiciary Portal	Washington Courts Online / Odyssey	Varies	Case search	Free or per-page fee
County Clerks	Local Superior / Circuit Courts	All years	Certified decrees	Varies
State Archives / Library	Historical Records	Pre-1960s	Manual search	Minimal copy fees

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Washington

Certified divorce documents are official, court-validated copies bearing a raised seal and signature from the issuing authority. While certified documents are typically a requirement for processes such as legal name changes, immigration, remarriage, financial settlements like pensions, and so on, uncertified duplicates only serve for personal or informational purposes.

There are two key entities where individuals may request Washington divorce records.

The Superior Court

Interested persons may obtain certified copies of divorce records by petitioning the superior court that adjudicated the case and issued the final order, by following the processes outlined below:

Step 1. Identify the Court Where the Divorce Was Finalized

The County Superior Courts handle most divorce decrees, and the case files are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Individuals can locate the proper jurisdiction by reviewing the divorce certificate (if available) or by checking case indexes through the Washington Courts Online Portal.

Step 2. Contact the Clerk's Office

Upon identifying the appropriate court, the individual should contact the superior court clerk through official communication channels or via the court's official website, and verify accepted payment methods (cash, check, or online payment) and processing times. Each county maintains its own procedures, operating hours, and fee schedules. For instance, some county Superior Court Clerk's Offices provide both in-person and online services.

Step 3. Provide the Necessary Details

After contacting the court clerk, applicants must provide accurate information to help identify the record being sought. Required information includes:

• Both parties' full names, as at the time of the divorce.
• The approximate date of the divorce or case filing
• The case number (if known)
• A valid government-issued photo ID (depending on the record sought)

Washington Department of Health (Vital Records Division)

For divorces finalized from 1968 onward, the Washington Department of Health can provide certified divorce certificates. Requesters should observe these steps:

Step 1-Choose a preferred ordering method; online through the state's official vendor, in person, or via mail by completing the Marriage/Divorce Order Form (Form 422-104) and mailing it to:

Step 2- Submit an application containing the required information

Step 3- Pay the applicable base fee of $25 per copy, along with any additional fees required, to the Washington State Department of Health. Online orders cost around $40.50 total, and payment methods include debit/credit card (for online requests) and check or money order (for physical or mail requests). In-person visits are at:

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified Certificate	Washington Vital Records	Spouse, attorney, court	Proof for remarriage, name change
Certified Decree	County Clerk / Court	Party or counsel	Legal enforcement
Informational Copy	Vital Records / Archives	Anyone (if allowed)	Genealogical/historical use

Why Search for Divorce Records in Washington?

Divorce records serve multiple purposes in Washington State and are mainly required when proof of marital status is required. Some practical instances include:

• Legal and Administrative Verification: Before remarrying, changing one's name, or processing certain entitlements, courts, attorneys, and government agencies
• Genealogical and Historical Research: Genealogists, historians, and researchers sometimes use information, such as spouses' names, dates of marriage and divorce, and county names, obtained from these records to accurately establish lineage.
• Employment, Background, and Legal Screening: Employers, background investigators, attorneys, or government agencies may require divorce records to confirm identity, citizenship documentation, or ensure compliance with court-ordered obligations.
• Personal or Financial Record-keeping: Divorce decrees can clarify property division, debt responsibility, and custody arrangements, which helps resolve disputes.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Washington?

Per Washington State law, public records (including divorce case files maintained by superior courts) are part of the state's permanent record-keeping system and are subject to retention and archiving (RCW 40.14.020, RCW 40.14.070). Hence, each County Superior Court Clerk maintains divorce case files and decrees within its jurisdiction indefinitely, while older records are periodically transferred to the Washington State Archives for long-term preservation and public access in physical and digitized formats. Divorce certificates and other records issued through the Department of Health (DOH) are subject to the DOH's retention schedule.