Snohomish County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Snohomish County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Everett. The clerk's office holds case files for all divorce filings in the county, going back decades. You can search online through the statewide Odyssey Portal or visit the courthouse directly. Snohomish County serves nearly 860,000 residents across communities like Everett, Marysville, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Bothell. Most dissolution files are public records under RCW 42.56. Whether you need a certified copy of a decree or just want to look up a case number, the clerk's office is the right starting point.
Snohomish County Overview
Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk
The Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk is the official keeper of all dissolution records filed in the county. This includes the original petition, any responses, financial declarations, parenting plans, and the final Decree of Dissolution. Staff at the clerk's office can help you locate a specific case and provide copies of court documents. The main courthouse is in Everett on Rockefeller Avenue.
According to the county's official Find a Document page, divorce records, legal name changes, and all court case records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk's office. The Recording Division handles real property and marriage certificates, but dissolution of marriage cases belong to the clerk. These are two separate offices with distinct functions, so make sure you contact the correct one.
The county also has a Courthouse Facilitator who can answer questions about finalization procedures. Call 425-388-3795 if you need help understanding the process. The facilitator does not give legal advice but can point you to the right forms and help you understand what steps come next.
| Office | Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
3000 Rockefeller Avenue Robert Drewel Building, First Floor Everett, WA 98201 |
| Phone | (425) 388-3483 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | snohomishcountywa.gov - Superior Court Clerk |
The Snohomish County Superior Court website includes a screenshot of the court's main portal page. You can use it to find links to case search tools, clerk calendars, and local forms specific to Snohomish County.
The Snohomish County Superior Court page provides access to local forms, case search tools, and court calendars for family law matters including dissolution cases.
How to Search Snohomish County Dissolution Records
Snohomish County uses the statewide Odyssey Portal for online case searches. You can look up dissolution of marriage cases by party name, case number, filing date, or case type. The portal shows party names, case status, and docket entries. Not every document is digitized, so older filings or sealed materials may require an in-person visit.
To search online, go to the Odyssey Portal and select Snohomish County from the court location list. Enter the last name and first name of one of the parties. You can narrow results by filtering for family law cases. The system returns a list of matching cases with filing dates and current status. From there, you can view the docket to see what documents are on file.
The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal is the main online tool for searching Snohomish County dissolution of marriage cases by name, case number, or filing date.
For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett. Bring a photo ID and the full name of at least one party. Staff can search by name or case number. If you need certified copies, they can process your request on the spot for cases where documents are already on file. For older case files not yet digitized, processing may take a few extra days.
Snohomish County also has a finalization checklist for uncontested dissolution cases. According to the county's official checklist, parties do not appear for a hearing in uncontested cases. The Commissioner reviews submitted orders and materials and issues a decision. You can visit the clerk's office at least one week after your scheduled hearing date to pick up copies of your final orders.
Fees and Costs
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition in Snohomish County is approximately $310. This covers court costs, facility fees, and statutory surcharges required under Washington law. The petitioner pays this fee when filing the initial Petition for Dissolution. If both spouses jointly file, one fee covers the whole filing.
Other costs you may run into include service of process fees, copy fees, and parenting class costs. If children are involved, the court typically requires both parents to attend a parenting seminar. These run $35 to $75 depending on the provider. Service by the Snohomish County Sheriff costs around $40 to $60. Private process servers vary but are usually $50 to $100.
- Dissolution filing fee: approximately $310
- Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 each additional
- Sheriff service: approximately $40 to $60
- Parenting seminar (when children are involved): $35 to $75
- Fee waiver available for qualifying low-income filers
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a waiver. You need to file a motion and declaration showing your financial situation. Washington courts grant waivers when household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level, or when the filer receives public assistance. Forms for the fee waiver are available at the courthouse or on the Washington Courts website.
Note: Fees change from time to time. Call the clerk's office at (425) 388-3483 or check the county website to confirm the current filing fee before you go.
What Records Are Available
Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk maintains the full case file for every dissolution of marriage filed in the county. The file starts with the Petition for Dissolution and Summons. As the case moves forward, additional documents are added: responses, financial declarations, parenting plans, mediation orders, and ultimately the Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the document that officially ends the marriage and sets out all the terms agreed to or ordered by the court.
Most dissolution records in Snohomish County are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies. Washington's public records law under RCW 42.56 gives the public broad access to court documents. However, some materials may be restricted. Sealed financial records like tax returns, records involving minors, and documents filed under protective orders may not be available for public review.
A typical dissolution file contains: names of both parties, case number and filing date, community property and debt division terms, a parenting plan if children are involved, child support worksheets, any spousal maintenance order, and the final Decree of Dissolution. The Washington State Department of Health also maintains divorce certificates for filings from 1968 onward. You can order those directly from the DOH vital records office.
The Washington Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for dissolutions recorded from 1968 to the present, which is a separate record from the Superior Court case file.
Getting Copies
You can get copies of Snohomish County dissolution records in person, by mail, or online. In-person is usually the fastest option. Visit the clerk's office at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett during regular hours. Bring the case number or the full names of both parties. Staff can pull the file, make copies, and certify them on the spot. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.
For mail requests, write to the Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk at the Rockefeller Avenue address. Include the case number, names of both parties, and a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk's office will process your request and mail copies back to you. Allow extra time for this method.
The Washington Courts directory page for Snohomish County lists current contact details and may link to online document access options. For dissolution certificates from 1968 forward, order directly from the Washington State Department of Health through VitalChek or by calling 1-866-687-1464.
The Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk page provides direct access to clerk services, including copy requests and document retrieval for dissolution cases.
Legal Help in Snohomish County
Several organizations offer legal help with dissolution of marriage cases in Snohomish County. Some are free for people who qualify based on income. Others provide low-cost consultations. These resources help you understand your rights, fill out forms, and connect with a licensed attorney if you need one.
Northwest Justice Project handles family law matters for low-income residents throughout Washington, including Snohomish County. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn about eligibility. The CLEAR hotline is available statewide for residents who need free legal advice. Self-help guides and court forms are available at washingtonlawhelp.org. Official court forms for dissolution are posted on the Washington Courts website.
The Washington State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722. You can also search their directory at wsba.org. If you prefer to search on your own, Snohomish County has many family law attorneys in Everett, Marysville, and other communities throughout the county.
Cities in Snohomish County
All dissolution of marriage cases filed by residents of Snohomish County are handled by the Superior Court in Everett, regardless of which city you live in.
Other communities in Snohomish County include Mukilteo, Monroe, Arlington, Stanwood, and many more. All dissolution cases from these areas go through the Snohomish County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
If you live near a county border, verify your county of residence before filing. Dissolution cases must be filed in the county where you or your spouse resides.