Chelan County Dissolution Records

Chelan County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Wenatchee. The clerk stores all case files for dissolution proceedings, including petitions, responses, parenting plans, financial declarations, and final decrees. You can search Chelan County dissolution records online through the statewide Odyssey Portal, by emailing the clerk's office, or by visiting the courthouse in person. Wenatchee is the county seat, and the Superior Court there handles all family law matters for county residents. This page covers how to find dissolution records, request copies, understand fees, and get legal help in Chelan County.

Chelan County Superior Court Clerk

Chelan County Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction. Three Superior Court Judges currently serve the county: Judge Robert E. Jourdan, Judge Travis C. Brandt, and Judge Kristin M. Ferrera. There is also a full-time Court Commissioner, Tracy S. Brandt. These judicial officers preside over a wide range of cases, including dissolution of marriage, child custody, juvenile matters, adoptions, probate, personal injury, and criminal cases.

The Superior Court Clerk's Office is the official custodian of all dissolution case records in Chelan County. The County Clerk is elected by Chelan County citizens and is responsible for preserving and administering the records of Superior Court. Records are kept at the Chelan County Courthouse in Wenatchee. The Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov notes that the Chelan County Superior Court has a record count exceeding 2.9 million documents.

The Chelan County Superior Court page at co.chelan.wa.us provides general information about the court's jurisdiction, judicial officers, and services available to the public.

The Washington State DOH vital records page, shown here, is where you order a dissolution certificate for a Chelan County case that was finalized after 1968.

How to Search Chelan County Dissolution Records

The statewide Odyssey Portal is your first stop for searching Chelan County dissolution cases. The portal is free and lets you search by party name or case number. You'll find basic case information, docket entries, and case status. The Odyssey Portal covers multiple counties statewide, so you can compare results across counties if needed.

To request specific court records, fill out a court record request and submit it to the clerk's office. You can send it by email to superiorcourt.clerk@co.chelan.wa.us, by fax to (509) 667-6611, or in person at the courthouse. Be specific about what documents you need. Include the case name, case number if you have it, and the approximate filing year.

In-person inspection is free. You can go to the courthouse and view public dissolution files at no charge during business hours. Copies cost extra. A Courthouse Facilitator Program is also available at $25 per 30-minute session, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The facilitator can help you understand court procedures but cannot represent you or give legal advice.

For older records, check the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives has partnered with Chelan County to provide online access to historical court records. You can also search through the State Archives at sos.wa.gov/archives/search.aspx.

Filing Fees and Costs

The filing fee for a dissolution in Chelan County is $314. This fee is paid when you submit your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. It includes state surcharges for court facilities, operations, and other services. A fee waiver is available for individuals who cannot afford this cost.

Non-certified copies of court records cost $0.50 per page. In-person inspection of public records is free. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. The Chelan County Auditor's Office maintains marriage records separately, at a cost of $3.00 each.

Dissolution certificates from the Washington State Department of Health cost $25 per document. It may take up to five months for DOH to receive the most recent dissolution records from Chelan County. Mail requests take six to eight weeks. VitalChek handles faster orders at 1-866-687-1464.

To request a fee waiver, file a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. Forms are available at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts website. Under RCW Chapter 26.09, all dissolution proceedings in Washington State follow the same basic legal framework.

What Dissolution Of Marriage Records Are Available

Chelan County Superior Court stores complete case files for every dissolution filed in the county. Court dissolution case files are generally public records with some exceptions. Financial declarations and sealed exhibits are not publicly accessible. Records containing information about minor children have restricted access in certain situations. Documents sealed by court order remain confidential. Records containing Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted before release to the public.

The key document most people need is the Final Decree of Dissolution. This court order officially ends the marriage and sets the terms for property division, any parenting plan, child support, and spousal maintenance. Certified copies of the decree are accepted by the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, financial institutions, and for passport and international travel documentation.

Washington is a no-fault state. Under RCW 26.09.030, the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Washington imposes a 90-day waiting period from filing and service before a dissolution can be finalized. No exceptions exist to this rule.

Property in Chelan County is subject to community property division under RCW 26.09.080. The court must divide community property in a just and equitable manner. The dissolution decree will reflect all property and debt division terms agreed upon or ordered by the court.

Certified divorce certificates have restricted access under WAC 246-491-029, limited to the parties named in the case, their legal representatives, immediate family members, government agencies, and those with a court order for access.

Getting Copies of Dissolution Records

To request copies, submit a court record request to the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk at 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501, Wenatchee, WA 98801. You can email the request to superiorcourt.clerk@co.chelan.wa.us or fax it to (509) 667-6611. Include the case name and number, the approximate filing date, and a list of which documents you need. Include payment for copy fees or a fee waiver request if applicable.

Certified copies include the official court seal and a deputy clerk's signature. These are required for most official uses, such as name changes with Social Security, updating a driver's license, or verifying marital status for a mortgage or immigration application. Non-certified copies are cheaper but may not be accepted by some agencies.

Chelan County dissolution records from older cases may be in storage or available through the Washington State Digital Archives. Complete case files have permanent retention for cases filed from 1889 to 1979. Cases filed from 1980 forward have a 75-year retention period. Judgment and decree documents are retained permanently regardless of filing date.

Legal Help in Chelan County

Northwest Justice Project offers free legal services to low-income residents of Chelan County, including help with dissolution, custody, and child support. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn about eligibility. Services are available by phone and may be available locally through partner organizations.

The Courthouse Facilitator Program in Chelan County provides procedural guidance at $25 per 30-minute session. Facilitators help people understand court procedures and forms. They are available Monday through Thursday during courthouse hours. This is a good option if you are representing yourself and need help navigating the filing process.

WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides and downloadable court forms. Official court forms are also at courts.wa.gov/forms. If you need an attorney, call the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722 or search the WSBA directory at wsba.org. Child custody matters in Chelan County are governed by RCW 26.09.187, and child support by RCW Chapter 26.19.

Cities in Chelan County

Chelan County includes Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, and Chelan as its main communities. All dissolution cases in the county are filed through the Superior Court in Wenatchee.

Other communities in Chelan County include Leavenworth, Cashmere, Lake Chelan, and East Wenatchee (which is in Douglas County). All dissolution filings for Chelan County residents go through the Superior Court in Wenatchee.

Nearby Counties

Chelan County is in north-central Washington. These counties border Chelan County. File where you or your spouse lives.