Access Cowlitz County Dissolution Of Marriage

Cowlitz County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court, located at the Hall of Justice in Kelso. The clerk stores all case files for dissolution proceedings in the county, including petitions, responses, financial disclosures, parenting plans, and final decrees. You can search Cowlitz County dissolution cases online, by email, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. Cowlitz County is in southwest Washington, with Kelso as the county seat and Longview as the county's largest city. This page covers how to find dissolution records, what they contain, how to get copies, and where to get legal help.

Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk

The Clerk of Superior Court in Cowlitz County is responsible for keeping the permanent records of all cases filed in Superior Court. This includes felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters (dissolution, custody, support), probates and guardianships, and mental or alcohol commitment cases. The clerk's mission is to protect the integrity and accuracy of the judicial records of the Cowlitz County Superior Court while serving the public in a courteous, professional, and expedient manner.

The clerk's office collects and disburses money for restitution, court costs, child support, trust accounts, garnishments, and fees. A deputy clerk must be present at all court proceedings and create a record called "Clerk's Minutes." The clerk is also responsible for marking and securing all exhibits entered in trials and hearings. Jury management for both District and Superior Courts comes under the umbrella of the Clerk's Office.

Note that court staff provides information, not legal advice, per RCW 2.32.090. They can tell you the status of a case, point you to the right forms, and explain procedures. They cannot advise you on how to handle your case.

The Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court page at co.cowlitz.wa.us provides the clerk's mission statement, a description of the office's duties, and contact information. The image below shows that official page.

The clerk's page at co.cowlitz.wa.us/158/Clerk-of-Superior-Court explains the Domestic division's handling of family law cases and how to request records.

How to Search Cowlitz County Dissolution Records

Online case information for Cowlitz County is available through the statewide Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. Search by party name or case number to find basic case information and docket entries. This is free to use and covers dissolution cases filed in Cowlitz County Superior Court.

The Cowlitz County Superior Court has a Domestic division that handles family law cases, including dissolution, annulments, child support, and paternity cases. To obtain family court records, you need to fill out and submit a court record request form indicating that domestic records are required. Completed forms can be returned in person, by mail, or by email to clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov.

There is a non-refundable record search fee of $15. Regular copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. The copy fees are deducted from the initial $15 deposit. So if your total copy cost is under $15, you've already paid. If it goes over, you pay the difference.

For historical dissolution records, the Washington State Digital Archives has older Cowlitz County court records. Marriage records from 1986 forward can be searched online through the Cowlitz County Auditor's Public Record Search. The Auditor's Office is at 207 N 4th Ave., Room 206, Kelso, WA 98626, phone (360) 577-3002.

Filing Fees and Costs

The filing fee to start a dissolution case in Cowlitz County is approximately $300. This is paid when you submit the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage to the clerk's office. The amount includes state surcharges. Call the clerk at (360) 577-3085 before filing to confirm the current total, as fees can change with new legislation.

Record request fees in Cowlitz County include a $15 non-refundable search fee per request. Regular copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. The copy fees are deducted from the $15 initial deposit. Dissolution certificates from the Washington State Department of Health cost $25 per document.

Fee waivers for the filing fee are available. Submit a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. Forms are at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts website. Cowlitz County dissolution proceedings are governed by RCW Chapter 26.09.

What Dissolution Of Marriage Records Are Available

A complete Cowlitz County dissolution case file typically contains the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, the Summons, a Response or Answer from the other party, Financial Declarations, a Parenting Plan (if children are involved), Child Support Worksheets, Property and Debt Division Proposals, Temporary Orders, a Settlement Agreement, Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Final Decree of Dissolution, and a Certificate of Dissolution. This is the full set of documents the clerk stores for each case.

Dissolution records serve as legal proof of marital status change, documentation required for remarriage, evidence for name change processes, verification for Social Security benefits claims, and supporting documentation for loan and immigration applications. Most dissolution case files are public records under RCW 42.56 and General Rule 31, with exceptions for sealed or confidential documents.

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 Cowlitz County as in all Washington counties. Community property is divided equitably under RCW 26.09.080. Child custody decisions follow RCW 26.09.187.

Getting Copies of Cowlitz County Dissolution Records

To get copies of dissolution records in Cowlitz County, fill out a court record request form and indicate that you need domestic records. Submit the form in person to the clerk at the Hall of Justice, 312 SW 1st Avenue, 2nd Floor, Kelso, WA 98626. You can also mail the form or email it to clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov. Include the case name, case number if you have it, and a description of which documents you need.

The $15 non-refundable search fee is required with every request. Copy costs are deducted from this initial deposit. If the copy fees exceed $15, you pay the remainder. For certified copies, bring additional payment. Certified copies are needed for name changes, loan applications, immigration filings, and other official purposes. They include the court seal and a deputy clerk's signature.

For dissolution certificates, contact the Washington State Department of Health. The DOH charges $25 per certificate. Mail orders take six to eight weeks. VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464 handles expedited orders in three to seven business days. DOH certificates are one-page documents showing the dissolution date. The full decree must come from the Cowlitz County Clerk.

The image below shows the Washington State DOH vital records page for ordering dissolution certificates for Cowlitz County cases finalized after 1968.

The full dissolution decree is not the same as a certificate. If you need the complete court order, contact the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk directly.

Legal Help in Cowlitz County

Northwest Justice Project provides free legal services to low-income residents of Cowlitz County, including help with family law matters. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn about eligibility and services. They serve southwest Washington and can assist with dissolution, custody, and child support cases.

WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides, court forms, and step-by-step instructions for handling your own dissolution. Official Washington court forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. Both are free and regularly updated.

To find a private attorney in Cowlitz County, call the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722 or search the WSBA attorney directory at wsba.org. Child support rules are set by RCW Chapter 26.19. All Washington dissolution proceedings are governed by RCW Chapter 26.09.

Cities in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County includes Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock, and other communities. All dissolution cases in the county are filed through the Superior Court in Kelso.

Other communities in Cowlitz County include Kelso, Castle Rock, Kalama, and Woodland. All dissolution filings for county residents go through the Cowlitz County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Cowlitz County is in southwest Washington. It borders these counties. File your dissolution where you or your spouse lives.