Find Dissolution Of Marriage in Benton County

Benton County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Benton County Clerk's Office, which operates two locations: the main office in Kennewick and a satellite office in Prosser. All dissolution case files, including petitions, decrees, parenting plans, and financial declarations, are kept by the clerk as part of the official Superior Court record. You can search Benton County dissolution cases online through the statewide Odyssey Portal, in person at either courthouse location, or by submitting a written request. Benton County is one of the more populous counties in eastern Washington, with Kennewick and Richland as major cities where residents can access court services.

Benton County Superior Court Clerk

The Benton County Clerk's Office manages all court documents for the Superior Court, including filing and safekeeping of legal records in civil, criminal, and family law cases. The clerk issues court process documents such as writs and bench warrants, manages trust funds held by court order, and runs the jury system for both Superior and District Courts. The office also supports TrueFiling electronic filing (e-Filing) and can process passport applications.

Benton County's main clerk office is in Kennewick. There is also a satellite office in Prosser. The Benton and Franklin Counties Superior Court operates from the Kennewick location as well, since the two counties share a single superior court. This shared court arrangement means dissolution cases from Franklin County may also be handled at the Kennewick courthouse. If you are a Benton County resident, always file at the Kennewick or Prosser location.

The Benton County court records page provides a detailed public records portal for searching and requesting court records online. You can see the full fee schedule and access links to the court's filing systems.

The court records portal at bentonwa.org/Court_Records shows current fee schedules and contact information for each court division in Benton County.

How to Search Benton County Dissolution Cases

The fastest way to find a Benton County dissolution case is through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal. This statewide system is free and searchable by party name or case number. You can find basic case information, docket entries, and case status for most dissolution cases filed in Benton County Superior Court.

JIS-Link is a subscription service from Washington Courts that provides more detailed statewide access. This is mainly used by attorneys and legal professionals who need frequent, detailed case data. For most people, the free Odyssey Portal is sufficient.

In person, you can visit either the Kennewick or Prosser clerk's office during business hours. The Kennewick office at 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A210 handles most of the county's case volume. Bring the name of at least one party and the approximate filing year. Staff can locate cases and make copies. There is a $10 research fee per person searched (not per case) when submitting a records request to Benton County Court.

The Washington State Archives Eastern Regional Branch also stores older or microfilmed dissolution records that may not be digitized. For historical cases, the Washington State Digital Archives may also have records from Benton County.

Filing Fees and Costs

Filing a dissolution in Benton County costs approximately $320. This fee is paid when you submit your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The amount includes state surcharges for court operations and facilities. The exact total can change, so call the clerk at (509) 735-8388 before filing to confirm.

Copy and record request fees in Benton County follow this schedule: a research fee of $20 per hour applies to records searches; certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page; non-certified hard copies are $0.50 per page; emailed documents are $0.25 per page; court recording copies on a CD or thumb drive cost $10 plus the research fee. The initial search fee deposit is $10 per person, which can be paid through nCourt at 1-855-873-9709 or in person at the clerk's office.

Fee waivers are available. If you receive public assistance or your household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level, you generally qualify. File a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. Forms are at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts website. Under RCW Chapter 26.09, dissolution proceedings in Washington are governed by state law, which also sets standards for fee waivers.

What Dissolution Records Are Available

Benton County Superior Court maintains complete case files for every dissolution filed in the county. A typical dissolution case file contains the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, the Summons, a Response from the other party if one was filed, temporary orders, financial declarations, parenting plans, child support worksheets and orders, a property and debt division agreement, findings of fact and conclusions of law, and the Final Decree of Dissolution.

Most dissolution records are public. Under RCW 42.56 and General Rule 31, court records are generally available to the public unless sealed by court order. Restricted records include police reports in criminal cases, mental health commitment records, alcohol and drug treatment records, and any documents sealed by court order. Financial documents with personal account numbers and Social Security numbers are typically redacted before release.

Washington is a no-fault state under RCW 26.09.030. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This means neither party has to prove fault. The mandatory 90-day waiting period applies to every dissolution filed in Benton County. No decree can be entered before that period ends.

Property division in Benton County follows Washington community property rules. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides community property in a just and equitable way. The decree will reflect the agreed or ordered division of all marital assets and debts.

Getting Copies of Benton County Dissolution Records

To get copies of dissolution records, contact the Benton County Clerk's Office at the Kennewick or Prosser location. You can request records in person, by mail, or by email at clerk@co.benton.wa.us. Include the case name, case number if you have it, the approximate filing year, and a clear description of which documents you need.

Certified copies are needed for official purposes such as name changes, loan applications, and immigration filings. These include the court seal and a clerk's signature. The fee is $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page for printed copies or $0.25 per page for emailed documents.

For dissolution certificates (one-page records showing the date a dissolution was recorded), contact the Washington State Department of Health. DOH holds dissolution records from 1968 to present. The fee is $25. There may be a delay of up to five months before DOH receives recent records from county clerks. VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464 processes expedited orders in three to seven business days. Mail requests take six to eight weeks.

The image below shows the Washington State DOH vital records page, which is where you go to order a dissolution certificate for Benton County.

Remember that the DOH holds certificates, not full decrees. For the complete dissolution decree, you must request it from the Benton County Clerk's Office directly.

Legal Help in Benton County

Northwest Justice Project provides free legal services to low-income residents in Benton County, including help with dissolution, custody, and child support matters. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. Services are available by phone and in person.

WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides and downloadable court forms for people handling their own dissolution. All official Washington court forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. These forms are free and current.

The Washington State Bar Association runs a referral service at (206) 443-9722. You can find a licensed attorney through the WSBA directory at wsba.org. For Benton County residents with children, child custody rules are governed by RCW 26.09.187 and child support by RCW Chapter 26.19.

Cities in Benton County

Benton County is home to several significant cities, all of which file dissolution cases through the Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick.

Other communities in Benton County include Prosser, West Richland, Benton City, and Finley. All dissolution filings for the county go through the Superior Court clerk's office in Kennewick.

Nearby Counties

Benton County is in south-central Washington. It borders several other counties. File your dissolution in the county where you or your spouse lives.