Search Ferry County Dissolution Of Marriage

Ferry County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk's office at the Ferry County Courthouse in Republic. The clerk stores all dissolution case files, including petitions, decrees, parenting plans, and financial declarations. Ferry County is located in the northeastern corner of Washington State, and the Superior Court there handles all family law matters for county residents. Whether you need to search for a dissolution case or get a certified copy of a decree, this page explains how to do it in Ferry County.

Ferry County Superior Court Clerk

The Ferry County Clerk is Melanie Breezee, elected to office in 2022. Staff includes Chief Deputy Clerk Jesse Ellis and Deputy Clerk Brett Curtis. The clerk's office is located on the third floor of the County Courthouse in Republic. The clerk manages all records for Ferry County Superior Court, including dissolution of marriage cases, felony criminal matters, civil lawsuits, probate proceedings, and other family law filings. Court records can be accessed in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours.

Ferry County Superior Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $100,000, domestic relations matters including dissolution of marriage and child custody, probate, and appeals from lower courts. Ferry County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $100,000, traffic infractions, anti-harassment orders, and small claims up to $10,000. Dissolution cases always go through the Superior Court, not District Court.

The clerk's office can provide information about case files, judgments, and legal proceedings upon request. Some sensitive documents may require a court order for access. Staff can tell you the status of a case and point you to the right forms, but they cannot give legal advice.

The Ferry County Clerk's page at ferry-county.com lists the clerk's staff, contact information, helpful links to court calendars, and fee schedules for superior court filings. The image below shows that official page.

The clerk's page at ferry-county.com/departments/county_clerk.php provides the clerk's contact information, staff names, courthouse hours, and links to the court calendar and fee schedule.

How to Search Ferry County Dissolution Records

The statewide Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is the easiest way to search Ferry County dissolution cases online. The portal is free and searchable by party name or case number. It covers Ferry County Superior Court cases and displays docket entries and basic case details. This is a good starting point before contacting the clerk's office.

In-person searches are done at the Ferry County Courthouse during regular hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday). Bring the full name of at least one party and the approximate filing year. Staff can look up cases and provide copies for the applicable fees. Divorce decrees are court records and must be requested through the Clerk of Court at (509) 775-5225 extension 1402.

For records requests by mail, send to: Ferry County Clerk, 350 E Delaware Ave. #4, Republic, WA 99166. Include the case name, case number if you have it, and a list of documents you need. You can also email records@co.ferry.wa.us for document copy requests. Searches cost $8.00 per hour (with 15 minutes counting as one full hour); searches are not guaranteed to find every record.

For older dissolution records, the Washington State Digital Archives has historical Washington Superior Court records. The State Archives at sos.wa.gov/archives is also available for searching archived case records.

Filing Fees and Costs

The filing fee for a dissolution in Ferry County is approximately $280. This fee 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 services. Call the clerk at (509) 775-5225 ext. 2505 to confirm the current amount before you file, as fees can change.

Record search fees at Ferry County are $8.00 per hour (15 minutes constitutes one hour). Certified copy fees for court documents typically range from $5 to $25, depending on document type and number of pages. The standard rate is $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page for certified copies. Non-certified copies cost less. For document copies requested by email, use records@co.ferry.wa.us or the request form on the county's website.

Marriage licenses in Ferry County are issued through the Ferry County Auditor's Office at 350 E Delaware Avenue, Republic, phone (509) 775-5225 ext. 1400. The marriage license fee is approximately $64, and there is a three-day waiting period after application. Birth and death certificates are not handled by the Auditor's Office; contact the Northeast Tri-County Health District at 509-684-2262 for those.

Fee waivers for civil filing fees are available. 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 Ferry County are governed by RCW Chapter 26.09.

What Dissolution Of Marriage Records Are Available

Ferry County Superior Court maintains complete case files for every dissolution filed in the county. A dissolution case file typically includes the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, the Summons, any Response or Answer from the other party, temporary orders, financial declarations, a parenting plan (if children are involved), child support worksheets, property and debt division proposals, a settlement agreement, and the Final Decree of Dissolution. Most of these records are public under RCW 42.56 and General Rule 31.

Some documents may have restricted access. Financial declarations with personal account numbers are redacted. Records sealed by court order are not available to the general public. Records involving minor children may have limited access in certain situations. Sensitive documents, including those that contain Social Security numbers, are also 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. Ferry County applies the same mandatory 90-day waiting period that applies in every Washington county. No decree can be entered before the 90 days pass. Property is divided as community property under RCW 26.09.080. Child custody is determined under RCW 26.09.187.

Getting Copies of Dissolution Records

To request copies of dissolution records from Ferry County, visit the clerk's office in person at the Ferry County Courthouse in Republic, or send a written request to: Ferry County Clerk, 350 E Delaware Ave. #4, Republic, WA 99166. You can also email records@co.ferry.wa.us. Include the case name, case number if you have it, and a clear list of the specific documents you need. Include payment for the search fee and copy fees.

Certified copies of dissolution decrees include the court's official seal and the deputy clerk's signature. These are needed for name changes with the Social Security Administration, mortgage applications, immigration filings, and passport applications. Non-certified copies are cheaper but may not be accepted by all agencies. Call (509) 775-5225 ext. 1402 to confirm fees before sending payment.

For dissolution certificates (one-page state documents showing the dissolution date), 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 faster orders in three to seven business days. DOH holds dissolution records from 1968 to the present. Earlier records are only available through the county clerk.

The image below is from the Washington State DOH vital records page, where you can order dissolution certificates for Ferry County cases finalized after 1968.

Remember that the DOH holds the dissolution certificate, not the full decree. The full decree must come from the Ferry County Superior Court Clerk. These are two different documents.

Legal Help in Ferry County

Northwest Justice Project serves Ferry County with free legal services for low-income residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. Ferry County is a rural and remote county, so services are likely provided by phone or through referrals to regional offices. Contact them early to check eligibility and what services are available in your area.

WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides and downloadable court forms for dissolution, custody, and child support. Official court forms are also at courts.wa.gov/forms. These are free and updated regularly to reflect current Washington law.

The Washington State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722. Search for a licensed family law attorney through the WSBA directory at wsba.org. Child support calculations in Ferry County follow the guidelines in RCW Chapter 26.19. Child custody determinations follow RCW 26.09.187.

Cities in Ferry County

Ferry County is one of Washington's least populated counties. Republic is the county seat and main community. All dissolution cases in Ferry County are filed at the Superior Court in Republic. No cities in Ferry County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Ferry County is in the northeastern corner of Washington. It borders these counties. File where you or your spouse lives.