Clallam County Dissolution Of Marriage Search

Clallam County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Port Angeles. The clerk files and indexes all records for the Clallam County Superior Courts and Family Court, including dissolution petitions, final decrees, parenting plans, and related documents. You can request records in person at the courthouse, by email, or by mail. Clallam County sits on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington, and its Superior Court handles all family law matters for county residents. This page covers how to search for dissolution cases, what documents you can get, the fees involved, and where to get legal help.

Clallam County Superior Court Clerk

The Clallam County Superior Court Clerk's Office is located in Port Angeles, the county seat. The clerk's primary job is to file and index all records for the Superior Court and Family Court. Case types include Criminal Felony Cases, Civil Filings, Domestic Filings (dissolution, custody, paternity), Probate and Guardianship, Adoptions, Mental Illness Filings, and Juvenile matters. The Clerk's Office does not accept fax or email filings; documents must be submitted in person or by mail. The office accepts credit and debit cards but does not accept personal checks.

Dissolution decrees are several-page documents explaining the terms of the dissolution. They are available through the Clerk of Superior Court. Dissolution certificates, on the other hand, are one-page documents stating two parties were dissolved on a specific date. These are obtained from the Washington State Department of Health, not the clerk.

For family law questions, the county provides a Family Court Facilitator at (360) 417-2588, located at room 212. Free legal aid is also available through Northwest Justice at (360) 452-9137 or the main line at (888) 201-1014.

The Clallam County Superior Court Clerk page at clallamcountywa.gov lists case types, court calendars, and how to request records. The image below is from the clerk's official records request page.

The records request page at clallamcountywa.gov/Requesting-Superior-Court-Records shows copy fees, accepted payment methods, and how to submit requests in person, by email, or by mail.

How to Search Clallam County Dissolution Records

Court records in Clallam County can be searched through the statewide Odyssey Portal. The portal is free and searchable by party name or case number. You can see docket entries and basic case details without going to the courthouse. The Clallam County Bar Association notes that court dockets can be searched via the Odyssey Portal to see which documents (pleadings) have been filed in a case.

Clallam County Superior Court allows both in-person and electronic filing of court documents. For records requests, you can email the clerk at Web_Clerk@ClallamCountyWA.gov. Include the case name, case number, and specific documents requested in your email. You can also go in person to 223 E. 4th Street, Suite 9, Port Angeles.

For older and historical dissolution records, the Washington State Digital Archives has records going back many decades. 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. So older decrees are accessible through the archives.

Court records in Clallam County are not subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act. They are instead subject to the General Rules (GR 31) and can be requested directly from the Superior Court. The Public Records Office handles other county records. For dissolution records specifically, always contact the Superior Court Clerk.

The image below shows the Clallam County Superior Court Clerk's main page, which provides links to court calendars and filing information.

The clerk's page includes information on case types, filing deadlines, ex parte hearing times, and how to reach the Family Court Facilitator.

Filing Fees and Costs

The filing fee for a dissolution in Clallam County is approximately $280. This is paid when you file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the clerk's office. The fee includes state surcharges for court operations and facilities. Call the clerk's office to confirm the current amount before you go.

Copy fees at the Clallam County Superior Court are as follows: non-certified paper copies cost $0.50 per page; electronic copies cost $0.25 per page; certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Certified copies must be obtained in person or by mail. The office accepts cash, cashier's checks or money orders, and online payment through LexisNexis. Personal checks are not accepted.

A search fee of $5 to $10 per name may apply when requesting records. Dissolution certificates from the Washington State Department of Health cost $25 each. Dissolution records from 1968 to the present are available through DOH. Earlier records are only available through the county clerk's office.

Fee waivers are available for those who qualify financially. File a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. Forms are at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts website. All dissolution cases in Clallam County are governed by RCW Chapter 26.09.

What Dissolution Of Marriage Records Are Available

Clallam County Superior Court dissolution case files typically include the Petition for dissolution of marriage, the Summons, the Response, any Parenting Plans, Child Support Worksheets and Orders, Property Division Agreements, and the Final Decree of Dissolution. Full divorce decree documents are generally not available for download online. Online records through the Odyssey Portal provide case summaries rather than complete files. To get the actual documents, you need to make a formal request to the clerk's office.

Most dissolution records are public under RCW 42.56, but certain sensitive documents may be sealed or redacted. Restricted information includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, names of minor children in certain contexts, and records sealed by court order. Financial declarations filed by the parties are often restricted.

Washington is a no-fault dissolution state. Under RCW 26.09.030, the only basis for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is a 90-day mandatory waiting period after filing and service. The court cannot enter the final decree until this period passes. Community property is divided under RCW 26.09.080 in a just and equitable manner.

Getting Copies of Dissolution Records

To get copies of dissolution records from Clallam County, visit the clerk's office in person at 223 E. 4th Street, Suite 9, Port Angeles, or email Web_Clerk@ClallamCountyWA.gov. In your request, include the case name, case number, and a list of the specific documents you need. Copy fees apply: $0.50 per page for non-certified paper copies, $0.25 per page for electronic copies, and $5 for the first page plus $1 per additional page for certified copies.

Certified copies can only be obtained in person or by mail. They cannot be emailed. You'll need to send a check or money order with your mail request. Include the correct fee plus any applicable search fee. Call (360) 417-2250 to confirm the total before mailing.

For a dissolution certificate (one-page document showing the dissolution date), contact the Washington State Department of Health. The DOH fee is $25. Mail orders take six to eight weeks. VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464 handles faster requests.

The Washington State Department of Health image below shows the vital records ordering page, where dissolution certificates can be requested for Clallam County cases finalized after 1968.

Remember that DOH holds the certificate, not the full dissolution decree. You must go to the Clallam County Superior Court Clerk for the actual decree and full case file.

Legal Help in Clallam County

Northwest Justice Project provides free legal services in Clallam County for low-income residents. Their local office can be reached at (360) 452-9137, and the main statewide line is (888) 201-1014. Visit nwjustice.org for eligibility information and services. The Family Court Facilitator at the Clallam County Courthouse is available at (360) 417-2588, room 212, for procedural help during business hours.

WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org provides free self-help guides, court forms, and step-by-step instructions for filing a dissolution. Official court forms are also at courts.wa.gov/forms. Both resources are free.

The Washington State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722. Search the WSBA directory at wsba.org to find a licensed family law attorney in Clallam County. Child custody rules are set by RCW 26.09.187 and child support by RCW Chapter 26.19.

Cities in Clallam County

Clallam County includes Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks, and Port Townsend (Jefferson County, nearby). All dissolution cases in Clallam County are filed at the Superior Court in Port Angeles. No cities in Clallam County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Clallam County is on the Olympic Peninsula and shares a border with one other Washington county. File your dissolution in the county where you live.