Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Garfield County
Garfield County dissolution of marriage records date back to 1882 and are maintained by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Pomeroy. The county is one of the smallest in Washington by population, so the clerk's office is a compact operation that handles all superior court matters including family law. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a decree, or verify that a dissolution was filed and finalized, the Garfield County Superior Court Clerk is your starting point. Online tools and the Washington State Digital Archives also provide access to records for older cases.
Garfield County Overview
Garfield County Superior Court Clerk
The Garfield County Superior Court Clerk manages all court records for the county, including dissolution of marriage filings. Marie Gormsen serves as Clerk, with Briana Moran as Deputy Clerk. The office handles the full range of superior court matters: family law, civil, criminal, and probate. For a small county like Garfield, the clerk's office is the central point of contact for nearly all court record requests.
Divorce records in Garfield County start in 1882. That makes it one of the longer-running records series in the state. Marriage records at the County Auditor begin around 1890. If you are looking for a historical dissolution from the late 1800s or early 1900s, those records may be available through the clerk or the Washington State Digital Archives depending on how far back they have been digitized.
| Office | Garfield County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Marie Gormsen |
| Deputy Clerk | Briana Moran |
| Address |
789 Main St., Box 915 Pomeroy, WA 99347 |
| Phone | 509-843-3731 |
| Fax | 509-843-1224 |
| SuperiorCourt@garfieldcountywa.gov | |
| Mailing | PO Box 915, Pomeroy, WA 99347 |
| Website | garfieldcountywa.gov/superiorcourt |
The Garfield County Superior Court page has contact details for the clerk's office and information about court services. The screenshot below shows that page.
The Garfield County Superior Court page provides contact information and clerk details for parties seeking dissolution records or filing assistance.
How to Search Garfield County Dissolution Records
The statewide Odyssey Portal is the best place to start an online search for Garfield County dissolution of marriage records. Use the Smart Search feature and enter the party's last name first. The system shows case numbers, filing dates, and basic case status. From there you can get the case number and request specific documents from the clerk's office.
For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives is a useful resource. Search by case number with dashes. Some historical Garfield County court files have been digitized and are available online. If the record is not there, the clerk's office can check physical archives.
In-person access is straightforward. The Garfield County Courthouse is located at 789 Main St. in Pomeroy. Call 509-843-3731 before you go to confirm office hours and what you need to bring. Staff can search by name or case number. Since Garfield is a small county, the office processes requests efficiently. You can view records there and pay for copies on the spot.
Fees and Costs
Filing a dissolution of marriage petition in Garfield County costs approximately $280. The petitioner pays this when submitting the Petition for Dissolution to the Superior Court Clerk. State law sets the base fee schedule, though local surcharges can affect the total. Always confirm the current amount with the clerk's office at 509-843-3731 before you file.
Certified copies of a dissolution decree cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of the same document. Non-certified plain copies run $0.50 per page. A certified copy carries an official court seal and is what most agencies require when you need to prove a dissolution. You will need it for name changes, updating accounts, and similar tasks.
Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the filing fee. File a motion and declaration showing your financial situation. If you receive public assistance or your income falls below 200% of the federal poverty guideline, you typically qualify. Court forms are available at the courthouse or through the Washington Courts website.
Note: Fees are subject to change. Contact the Garfield County Superior Court Clerk to confirm current costs before filing.
What Records Are Available
Garfield County dissolution of marriage records include all documents filed in superior court as part of the case. The Decree of Dissolution is the most commonly requested document. It contains the terms of the dissolution, including property division, any parenting plan, child support, and spousal maintenance if ordered. Most people requesting records need a certified copy of this decree.
A full case file may also include the original Petition for Dissolution, the Summons, financial declarations, settlement agreements, and orders entered at various stages. If minor children are involved, the parenting plan and child support worksheets are part of the file. Washington governs child support under RCW Chapter 26.19.
Most dissolution records in Garfield County are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to get copies. Sealed records or documents involving minors may be restricted. Adoptions, dependency proceedings, and mental competency cases are not available to the public.
For dissolution certificates rather than the full decree, the Washington State Department of Health holds records from 1968 forward. The DOH fee is $25 per certificate. The screenshot below shows the DOH vital records ordering page.
The DOH page lets you order a dissolution certificate for statistical verification, but the actual decree with case terms must come from the Garfield County Clerk.
Getting Copies
To get copies of a Garfield County dissolution decree, contact the Superior Court Clerk's office at 509-843-3731 or email SuperiorCourt@garfieldcountywa.gov. You can visit in person at 789 Main St. in Pomeroy, or you may be able to request copies by mail. Ask about mail request procedures when you call.
For older digitized records, check the Washington State Digital Archives. Log on, select Superior Court Cases, choose Garfield County, and search by case number. Not all historical records are available digitally, but many have been scanned and indexed. For records not yet in the Digital Archives, only the physical files at the courthouse are available.
If you need a dissolution certificate rather than the full court record, order through the Washington Department of Health. They hold dissolution certificates going back to 1968. The fee is $25 and orders through VitalChek arrive in 3 to 7 business days. Keep in mind that the DOH certificate only confirms the dissolution happened. For the actual terms of the decree, you need records from the clerk.
The screenshot below shows the Garfield County Superior Court resource page, which provides guidance on accessing court records.
This page from the Garfield County Superior Court provides additional context on what types of records are maintained and how to access them.
Legal Help in Garfield County
Garfield County is a rural, small-population county, so local legal resources are limited compared to urban areas. That said, statewide resources are available and accessible by phone or online. Northwest Justice Project offers free legal help to low-income residents across Washington. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. They handle family law including dissolution of marriage cases.
The Washington State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (206) 443-9722. Their attorney directory at wsba.org lets you search for attorneys by practice area and location. For self-help guides and official Washington court forms, visit washingtonlawhelp.org. All official dissolution forms are also available at courts.wa.gov.
Washington's dissolution process is governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. The state uses a no-fault approach. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" per RCW 26.09.030. Washington is a community property state. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides property in a just and equitable way. There is a mandatory 90-day waiting period after the petition is served before a dissolution can be finalized.
Cities in Garfield County
Garfield County's county seat is Pomeroy. The county has no cities that exceed the population threshold for a separate city page. All dissolution cases from anywhere in Garfield County are filed at the Garfield County Superior Court in Pomeroy.
Communities in Garfield County include Pomeroy, Pataha, and Benge. All family law filings for residents of these communities go through the Superior Court in Pomeroy.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Garfield County. File your dissolution case in the county where you reside. If you are near a county border, confirm your address falls within Garfield County before filing.