Kitsap County Dissolution Of Marriage Records Search
Kitsap County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Port Orchard. The clerk's office handles all family law filings for the county, stores dissolution case files, and processes copy requests for decrees and related documents. You can search for cases online through the Odyssey Portal or the Washington State Digital Archives, or visit the clerk's office in person at 614 Division Street in Port Orchard. Kitsap County serves roughly 285,000 residents across communities on the Kitsap Peninsula, including Bremerton, Silverdale, and Bainbridge Island.
Kitsap County Overview
Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk
David T. Lewis III serves as Kitsap County Clerk. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:15 PM and from 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM. The office closes for lunch from 12:15 to 1:15 PM daily and is closed on holidays. Passport applications are accepted by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Walk-in Wednesdays are available for passport services. The office manages all dissolution of marriage filings and court records for Kitsap County Superior Court.
The Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk's office is located at 614 Division Street, Room 202, Port Orchard. The Superior Court itself is at the same address, Room 210. The mailing address for the clerk is 614 Division Street, MS 34, Port Orchard, WA 98366. The Superior Court mailing address uses MS-24 instead. When submitting documents, use the correct mailstop for whichever office you are contacting.
Access to Kitsap County court records is governed by Washington State Supreme Court General Rule 31 (GR 31). The clerk's office offers two options for electronic access to publicly available court records via the Washington State Digital Archives. Case types include civil, criminal, divorce, and probate. Records from 1973 to the present are available, with the bulk from 2000 forward.
| Clerk | David T. Lewis III |
|---|---|
| Address |
614 Division Street, Room 202 Port Orchard, WA 98366 |
| Mailing | 614 Division Street, MS 34, Port Orchard, WA 98366 |
| Phone | (360) 337-7164 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 12:15 PM and 1:15 PM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | kitsap.gov/clerk |
The Kitsap County Clerk's page has contact details, office hours, and information on available services. The screenshot below shows the clerk's main page.
The Kitsap County Clerk's page outlines services including electronic filing, passport applications, and access to dissolution of marriage court records.
How to Search Kitsap County Dissolution Records
The best online starting point is the statewide Odyssey Portal. Use Smart Search and enter the party's last name first. The portal returns case numbers, filing dates, and case status for Kitsap County dissolution of marriage cases. Once you have the case number, you can search the Digital Archives or contact the clerk's office for copies.
The Kitsap County Superior Court case files on the Washington State Digital Archives include official documentation for all case types filed since 1973, with most records from 2000 to present. To search, go to the Digital Archives, select Superior Court Records from the Record Series dropdown, and choose Kitsap County from the County dropdown. Enter the case number with dashes for the best results. Public access to adoptions, dependency, and mental competency case files is restricted. Those requests should go directly to the Kitsap County Clerk at (360) 337-7164.
In-person searches are at 614 Division Street, Room 202, Port Orchard. Call (360) 337-7164 to confirm hours before visiting. Bring a photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number. The clerk is closed for lunch from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM every day, so plan your visit accordingly.
The screenshot below shows the Kitsap County Superior Court case files on the Digital Archives, which is one of the key resources for searching dissolution records.
The Kitsap County Superior Court case files on the Digital Archives include dissolution of marriage records from 1973 to the present, with the bulk of records from 2000 forward.
Fees and Costs
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage in Kitsap County is approximately $300. This is paid when you file the Petition for Dissolution with the Superior Court Clerk. The fee follows Washington State law and covers court operations and statutory surcharges. Confirm the exact current amount with the clerk's office at (360) 337-7164 before filing.
Copy fees in Kitsap County include:
- Certified copy: $5 first page, $1 each additional page of the same document
- Authenticated or exemplified copy: $9 first page, $1 each additional page
- Non-certified copy: $0.50 per page
- Audio recording: $25 per hearing day (3-5 business days); expedited $45 per day (1-2 business days)
Audio recording download links expire 30 days from when they are sent. Use FTR Player from fortherecord.com to listen. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. File a motion and declaration showing your financial situation. If you receive public assistance or your income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level, you likely qualify. Court forms are at the courthouse or at courts.wa.gov.
Note: Kitsap County fees are set under Washington State law. Call (360) 337-7164 to confirm current amounts before filing or requesting copies.
What Records Are Available
Kitsap County dissolution of marriage records include the complete case file from initial petition through final decree. The case file holds the Petition for Dissolution, the Summons, financial declarations from both parties, any settlement agreements, parenting plans, child support worksheets, interim orders, and the final Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the document most people need after a dissolution is finalized. It contains the terms for property division, custody, child support, and maintenance.
Kitsap County Superior Court case files are available on the Digital Archives from 1973 to the present. Most records are from 2000 forward. Case types include civil, criminal, divorce, and probate. Adoptions, dependency, and mental competency proceedings are restricted and not available online. Requests for those restricted files must go to the clerk's office at (360) 337-7164. The clerk's office also handles requests for audio recordings of hearings at a separate fee schedule.
Most dissolution records in Kitsap County are public. You do not have to be a party to request copies. Sealed financial documents or records involving minors may have restricted access. Washington law and General Rule 31 (GR 31) govern public access to court records. Child support matters are covered under RCW Chapter 26.19.
Getting Copies
To get copies of Kitsap County dissolution records, contact the clerk at (360) 337-7164 or visit 614 Division Street, Room 202, Port Orchard during business hours. The office processes copy requests on the spot when possible. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page. Authenticated copies are $9 first page and $1 per additional page. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Bring a photo ID and, if you have it, the case number.
For electronic access, the Kitsap County Clerk's office offers two options through the Washington State Digital Archives. Select Superior Court Records from the dropdown and Kitsap County, then enter the case number with dashes. If you don't know the case number, search the Odyssey Portal first. The Digital Archives does not allow you to preview documents, but you can make copy requests from there.
If you need a dissolution certificate rather than the full case file, order from the Washington Department of Health for $25. DOH holds dissolution certificates from 1968 forward. VitalChek orders arrive in 3 to 7 business days. The DOH certificate confirms the dissolution but does not include the terms. For the decree itself, go to the Kitsap County Clerk.
The screenshot below shows the copy request page for the Kitsap County Clerk, which details fees and procedures.
The Kitsap County Clerk's copy request page explains authenticated copy fees, audio recording fees, and how to access records through the Digital Archives and Odyssey Portal.
Legal Help in Kitsap County
Kitsap County requires parents involved in dissolution cases who have minor children to attend mandatory parenting seminars under local court rule KCLFLR 10. Both parties must satisfactorily complete an approved seminar before the court will approve a final parenting plan. Approved providers are the Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap at (360) 307-6155 and Olympic College at (360) 475-7625 or (360) 475-7359. Seminars must be attended in person. Online seminars are not accepted in Kitsap County.
Northwest Justice Project provides free legal help to low-income residents, including dissolution of marriage cases. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org for eligibility information. They handle family law matters throughout Kitsap County and the surrounding region.
The Washington State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (206) 443-9722. Their directory at wsba.org lets you search for family law attorneys serving Kitsap County. Self-help guides and official court forms are at washingtonlawhelp.org and courts.wa.gov. Washington's dissolution law is in RCW Chapter 26.09. The state is no-fault: the only ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" per RCW 26.09.030. Washington is a community property state under RCW 26.09.080, and a 90-day waiting period is mandatory after service of the petition.
The mandatory parenting seminar requirement is shown on the Kitsap County Clerk's parenting classes page. The screenshot below shows that page.
Kitsap County requires both parents in dissolution cases involving minor children to complete an approved parenting seminar in person before the court will finalize the parenting plan.
Cities in Kitsap County
Kitsap County includes several communities across the Kitsap Peninsula. Bremerton is the largest city in the county. All dissolution cases from anywhere in Kitsap County are filed at the Kitsap County Superior Court in Port Orchard.
Other communities in Kitsap County include Silverdale, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, Kingston, and Gig Harbor. All dissolution filings for residents of these communities go through the Kitsap County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Kitsap County. File your dissolution in the county where you reside. Kitsap County sits on the Kitsap Peninsula in Puget Sound, and neighboring counties cover the surrounding areas.