Dissolution Of Marriage Filings in Clark County
Clark County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office at the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver. The clerk keeps all Superior Court records, including dissolution case files, decrees, parenting plans, and financial declarations. Clark County is one of the most populous counties in Washington State, home to more than 530,000 residents. If you need to search for a dissolution case, request a certified copy of a decree, or learn about the filing process in Clark County, this page covers the key information you need.
Clark County Overview
Clark County Superior Court Clerk
The Clark County Clerk's Office is responsible for maintaining the record of Superior Court, including criminal felony cases, civil cases, domestic relations cases (dissolution, child custody, paternity, and adoption), probate and guardianship, mental commitments, dependency, and juvenile offender cases. Clark County Superior Court is the court of general jurisdiction, handling all felonies and civil suits involving amounts over $75,000. Superior Court also hears dissolution, adoption, probate, competency, and juvenile cases.
The County Clerk is Scott G. Weber. The clerk's office is at 1200 Franklin Street in Vancouver. Most court records can be viewed online from the Clark County Courts website. Divorce records can be requested directly through the County Clerk's Office. Marriage records are handled by the Auditor's Office separately. The Public Records Office is at 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660 for other county record requests.
| Office | Clark County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
1200 Franklin Street Vancouver, WA 98660 |
| Phone | 564-397-2292 |
| Website | clark.wa.gov/clerk |
The Clark County Clerk's records access page at clark.wa.gov explains how to search and request court records, including dissolution filings. The image below is from that official page.
The records access page at clark.wa.gov/clerk/access-records provides the fee schedule, contact information for the clerk's office, and instructions for requesting dissolution records in person, online, or by mail.
How to Search Clark County Dissolution Records
Clark County makes most court records searchable online. The statewide Washington Courts Odyssey Portal covers Clark County Superior Court cases and is searchable for free by party name or case number. You can see docket entries, filings, and case status without visiting the courthouse.
Clark County also provides its own online records access through the clerk's official page at clark.wa.gov/clerk/access-records. This is a good starting point for recent dissolution cases and is maintained by the county itself. For cases not yet digitized or for older dissolution records, visit the courthouse in person or contact the clerk's office.
In-person searches can be done at the Clark County Courthouse at 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, during regular business hours. Staff can search by name or case number and pull files. Bring a valid photo ID. For cases involving municipal infractions within Vancouver, Camas, or other cities, those are handled by the city's municipal courts, not Superior Court.
For historical dissolution records, the Washington State Digital Archives has older Clark County Superior Court records. The State Archives search tool at sos.wa.gov/archives is also available.
Dissolution records you need for legal purposes, like certified copies of decrees, must come from the clerk's office directly. Online searches generally provide case summaries, not full document copies.
Filing Fees and Costs
Clark County's filing fee for a dissolution is approximately $320. This fee is paid when you submit your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage to the clerk. The total includes state surcharges for court operations and services. Contact the clerk at 564-397-2292 to confirm the current amount before filing.
The Clark County fee schedule for copies includes certified copies at $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies mailed to you cost $0.50 per page. Emailed documents cost $0.25 per page. These are the standard copy fees across Clark County Superior Court records, including dissolution case files.
Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. You file a motion and declaration demonstrating your financial situation. If you receive public assistance or have low income, you will likely qualify. Court forms for the waiver are at the courthouse and at courts.wa.gov/forms. Clark County dissolution proceedings are governed by RCW Chapter 26.09 and Washington State family law.
Note: Birth and death records are available through Clark County Public Health at 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Building 17, 4th Floor, Vancouver, WA 98661, phone 564-397-8092. These are separate from dissolution records handled by the clerk.
What Clark County Dissolution Records Contain
Clark County Superior Court maintains complete case files for every dissolution filed in the county. A typical dissolution file includes the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, the Summons, any Response filed by the other party, temporary orders, financial declarations, a parenting plan if children are involved, child support worksheets and orders, a property division agreement, and the Final Decree of Dissolution. The information in a dissolution record includes both parties' names, the document number, and the date the dissolution was recorded.
Most dissolution records in Clark County are public. Court records are subject to disclosure under the General Rules (GR 31), not the Public Records Act. This means you request them from the court, not from the county's public records office. Some documents may be sealed or redacted. Financial declarations, records with personal account numbers, and records involving minor children may have restricted access.
Washington is a no-fault state. Under RCW 26.09.030, the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The mandatory 90-day waiting period applies in Clark County as in every Washington county. No decree can be entered before the 90 days pass. Community property division follows RCW 26.09.080. Child custody rules are set by RCW 26.09.187. Child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19.
Getting Copies of Clark County Dissolution Records
To request copies of dissolution records, contact the Clark County Superior Court Clerk at 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660. You can go in person during business hours, call 564-397-2292, or submit a written request by mail. Include the case name, case number if you have it, and a description of which documents you need. Include payment for the appropriate copy fees.
Certified copies of dissolution decrees are the most commonly requested documents. They are required for name changes, mortgage applications, passport applications, and immigration filings. A certified copy includes the court seal and clerk's signature. The fee is $5 for the first page plus $1 per additional page.
Dissolution certificates (one-page documents confirming the dissolution date) come from the Washington State Department of Health, not from the county clerk. The DOH charges $25. There can be up to a five-month delay before DOH receives dissolution records from Clark County. VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464 handles faster orders; mail orders take six to eight weeks.
The image below shows the DOH vital records page where you can order a dissolution certificate for a Clark County case finalized after 1968.
DOH holds the certificate. The full dissolution decree comes from the Clark County Clerk. Make sure you know which one you need before requesting.
Legal Help in Clark County
Northwest Justice Project provides free legal services to low-income residents of Clark County, including family law matters such as dissolution, child custody, and support. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. Clark County has a significant population, so demand can be high; contact them early to check eligibility and availability.
WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides and downloadable court forms for dissolution, custody, and support. Official court forms are also available at courts.wa.gov/forms. Both are free and updated regularly.
The Washington State Bar Association runs a referral service at (206) 443-9722. You can also search for a licensed family law attorney at wsba.org. The Washington Attorney General's office provides general legal guidance at atg.wa.gov. For court-ordered dissolution terms involving support or property, the AG's office has resources on enforcement.
Cities in Clark County
Clark County is the most populous county in southwest Washington. Several major cities are here, all of which file dissolution cases through the Clark County Superior Court in Vancouver.
Other communities in Clark County include Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, Washougal, and Woodland. All dissolution cases go through the Clark County Superior Court system regardless of which city you live in.
Nearby Counties
Clark County is in the southwest corner of Washington, bordering Oregon to the south. These Washington counties border Clark County. Always file your dissolution where you or your spouse lives.