Franklin County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Franklin County dissolution of marriage records are held by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Pasco. If you need to search a case, request a certified copy of a decree, or confirm that a dissolution was finalized, the Franklin County Clerk's office is the place to start. Cases filed in Franklin County go through the Superior Court, where all family law filings are processed and stored. Online search tools let you pull basic case data without visiting the courthouse. For certified copies or full file access, you can visit the clerk in person or submit a written request by mail.

Franklin County Superior Court Clerk

The Franklin County Clerk is an elected constitutional officer who serves as the official record keeper for the Superior Court. The office handles all superior court records including civil, probate, criminal, and family law matters. Dissolution of marriage cases fall under family law, and the clerk's staff manages those files from initial filing through final decree. Michael J. Killian has served as County Clerk and Ex Officio Superior Court Clerk since 2001.

The clerk's office supports seven Superior Court Judges and five Court Commissioners. Staff there can help you locate a dissolution case, check file status, and process copy requests. The office cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and explain their procedures. Records may be viewed at the clerk's office during business hours.

For questions about divorce records, probate, criminal history, or civil lawsuits, the Franklin County Clerk's office is the right contact. Dissolution and civil filings are handled there directly. Small claims matters are a different matter and go to District Court instead.

The Franklin County Clerk's website has information about the FAQ page for court records access. You can reach the clerk's office at 509-545-3525 during regular business hours. For marriage certificates, that goes to the Franklin County Auditor at 509-545-3536, not the clerk.

The Franklin County Clerk's office provides the main access point for dissolution records in the county. The screenshot below shows the clerk's official page where you can find contact details and services.

The clerk's page lists available services including family law record management and copy requests for dissolution cases.

How to Search Franklin County Dissolution Records

You have a few ways to search for Franklin County dissolution of marriage records. The statewide Odyssey Portal is the easiest online tool. Go there, click Smart Search, and enter the party's last name first. The system returns case numbers, filing dates, and case status. From there you can note the case number and look it up in more detail or contact the clerk's office.

The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds older court records. You can search by case number. Enter it with dashes for accurate results. Cases from earlier years may be available there when they are no longer in the active Odyssey system.

In-person searches are always an option. Go to the Franklin County Courthouse at 1016 N 4th Ave in Pasco. The clerk's staff can search by name or case number. Bring a photo ID. You can view records at the office and request copies on the spot. If you know the approximate year the case was filed, that helps narrow the search quickly.

To search a Franklin County dissolution case you typically need at least one of the following:

• Full name of one or both spouses
• Case number (if you already have it)
• Approximate year the case was filed
• County where the case was filed

The clerk's office facilitator program also helps self-represented parties navigate the court process. The screenshot below is from the clerk facilitator page, which is part of the Franklin County Superior Court system.

The clerk facilitator assists people who are handling their own dissolution cases without an attorney, providing guidance on forms and procedures.

Fees and Costs

The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage in Franklin County is approximately $300. This fee is paid when you file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Superior Court Clerk. The fee covers various statutory surcharges for court operations and facilities. Franklin County follows the fee schedule established under Washington State law, so some fees may change over time.

Once a dissolution is finalized, you may need certified copies of the decree. The standard fee is $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of the same document. Non-certified plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry an official court stamp and are typically required for legal purposes like updating Social Security records, changing a name on a driver's license, or handling financial accounts.

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford to pay. You file a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. The court looks at your income and financial situation to decide if you qualify. If you get public assistance or your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level, you generally qualify. Forms are at the courthouse or on the Washington Courts website.

What Records Are Available

Dissolution of marriage records in Franklin County include a range of documents filed with the Superior Court Clerk. The core document is the Decree of Dissolution, which is the court order that officially ends the marriage. It contains terms for property division, parenting plans, child support, and any spousal maintenance. Most people need a certified copy of the decree when updating their name or marital status on official documents.

Other records in a dissolution file may include the original Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, the Summons, financial declarations from both parties, any agreed settlement documents, and orders entered during the case. If children are involved, you will find the parenting plan and child support worksheets in the file. Washington handles child support under RCW Chapter 26.19.

Most dissolution records at the Franklin County Clerk's office are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies. Sealed financial documents or materials involving minors may have restricted access in certain circumstances. Records involving adoptions, dependency, or mental competency proceedings are restricted and not available to the general public.

Getting Copies

To get copies of a Franklin County dissolution decree, you can visit the clerk's office in person at the Franklin County Courthouse, 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco. Staff there process copy requests and can produce certified or plain copies on the spot, depending on how busy they are. Call ahead at 509-545-3525 to confirm current wait times.

You can also search and access older records through the Washington State Digital Archives. Log on to digitalarchives.wa.gov, select Superior Court Cases under Record Series, choose Franklin County, and enter the case number with dashes. If you don't know the case number, search first on the Odyssey Portal.

The Washington State Department of Health holds dissolution certificates for cases finalized since 1968. These are statistical certificates, not the actual decree. To order a dissolution certificate from DOH, go to the DOH vital records page. The fee is $25 per certificate. VitalChek orders typically arrive in 3 to 7 business days. If you need the actual Decree of Dissolution with terms for property or custody, you must get that from the Franklin County Clerk, not DOH.

The DOH vital records page for ordering dissolution certificates is shown below.

The DOH page lets you order dissolution certificates online for cases going back to 1968, but only the county clerk holds the full court record and decree.

Legal Help in Franklin County

Several resources are available if you need help with a dissolution of marriage in Franklin County. The CLEAR program (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral System) runs a lawyer referral service for non-criminal matters. Low-income residents and seniors 60 and older can call toll-free at (888) 201-1014. This service connects you with an attorney who can give basic advice or refer you to legal aid.

Northwest Justice Project provides free legal help to low-income residents across Washington, including Franklin County. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility and learn about services. They handle family law cases including dissolution, custody, and child support.

The Washington State Bar Association runs a statewide referral service at (206) 443-9722. You can also search their attorney directory at wsba.org. For self-help guides and all official court forms, visit washingtonlawhelp.org or download forms directly from courts.wa.gov.

Franklin County dissolution cases are governed by Washington State law. RCW Chapter 26.09 covers the full dissolution process. The state uses a no-fault system, meaning the only legal ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" under RCW 26.09.030. Washington is a community property state, and RCW 26.09.080 governs how property is divided. There is a mandatory 90-day waiting period from the time the petition is filed and served before the court can finalize the dissolution.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County includes Pasco as its main city. All dissolution cases from communities in the county go through the Franklin County Superior Court. Smaller towns and communities in the county do not have separate court systems for family law matters.

Other communities in Franklin County include Connell, Mesa, Kahlotus, and Eltopia. All dissolution filings for residents of these towns go through the Franklin County Superior Court in Pasco.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County. If you are unsure which county handles your dissolution case, the rule is to file in the county where you or your spouse lives.