Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Stevens County

Stevens County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Colville. The clerk's office holds all divorce case files filed in Stevens County, including records going back to 1889 when the court was established. You can search cases online through the statewide Odyssey Portal or visit the courthouse in person. Stevens County is a rural county in northeastern Washington with about 46,000 residents. Most dissolution filings are public records available under RCW 42.56, though some sealed or restricted materials require a court order to access.

Stevens County Superior Court Clerk

The Stevens County Clerk serves as the ex officio Clerk of the Court and keeps permanent records of all cases filed in Superior Court. According to the county's official page, this includes felony criminal, civil lawsuits, family law matters, probates, guardianships, and mental or alcohol commitment cases. Dissolution of marriage falls under family law and is stored by the clerk's office.

The clerk's office also handles financial duties such as collecting and disbursing court costs, child support payments, and other court-ordered funds. The clerk reviews court documents for potential errors and issues required legal orders. If you need to look up a dissolution case or get copies of a decree, this is the office to contact. Stevens County has maintained divorce records since 1889.

Note that the Stevens County Clerk's office has limited hours compared to larger county clerks. The office closes for lunch between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM and closes for the day at 3:00 PM. Plan your visit accordingly, especially if you are traveling from outside Colville.

The Stevens County Superior Court Clerk page provides contact details, office hours, and information on records maintained for dissolution of marriage and other court cases.

How to Search Stevens County Dissolution Records

The primary online tool for searching Stevens County dissolution of marriage records is the statewide Odyssey Portal. You can search by party name, case number, filing date, or case type. Select Stevens County from the court location list. Results show party names, current case status, and the docket of filed documents. Not all historical documents are digitized. For older cases or restricted materials, you may need to visit the clerk's office in person.

The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal is available to anyone searching for Stevens County dissolution of marriage cases by name or case number.

For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 215 South Oak Street in Colville. The clerk can look up cases using a name or case number. Bring a photo ID. Staff can pull the case file and provide copies. Because Stevens County is a smaller court system, some older records may be stored separately and could take extra time to retrieve. If you are looking for a case older than 10 years, it helps to call ahead.

The Stevens County Superior Court page provides additional information about the court's functions and how to contact the court for case-related questions. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov also holds historical court records that predate electronic systems, which can be useful for genealogical research or finding older dissolution cases.

Fees and Costs

The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition in Stevens County is approximately $280. This amount covers statutory surcharges required under Washington State law. The petitioner pays this at the time of filing. Fees can change, so contact the clerk's office at (509) 684-7575 to confirm the current amount before you file.

Copy fees follow the standard Washington schedule. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page per document. Non-certified copies are less expensive. Service of process by the sheriff costs around $40 to $60 for the county. Private servers vary. If you have minor children and are filing for dissolution, Washington law requires both parents to complete a parenting seminar, which typically runs $35 to $75.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, a fee waiver is available. File a motion and financial declaration with the court. The standard threshold for approval is income below 200% of the federal poverty level or current receipt of public assistance. Waiver forms are available at the courthouse or from the Washington Courts forms page.

What Records Are Available

Stevens County Superior Court Clerk maintains the full case file for every dissolution of marriage filed in the county. Records go back to 1889, making Stevens County one of the older court record collections in eastern Washington. The file includes the Petition for Dissolution, any responses, financial declarations, parenting plans, and the final Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the key document that ends the marriage and sets all terms.

Most dissolution records are public under RCW 42.56. You do not need to be a party to request copies. However, some sealed documents, records tied to protective orders, or items involving minor children may be restricted. If you believe a record is sealed and you have a legal right to access it, you may need to file a motion with the court. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov may have older records that are not held locally at the courthouse.

A typical Stevens County dissolution file contains names of both parties, filing date and case number, any separation agreement or settlement, parenting plan and residential schedule if children are involved, child support worksheets, financial declarations, and the signed Decree of Dissolution. For certified copies of dissolution certificates from 1968 forward, the Washington State Department of Health maintains records at the DOH vital records office.

The Washington Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for dissolutions recorded from 1968 onward, which are separate from the Superior Court case file held by the Stevens County Clerk.

Getting Copies

To get copies of Stevens County dissolution records, visit the clerk's office at 215 South Oak Street in Colville during office hours. Hours are limited: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring a photo ID and the case number or the names of both parties. Staff can pull the file and provide copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.

Mail-in requests are also accepted. Write to the Stevens County Superior Court Clerk at 215 South Oak Street, Room 206, Colville, WA 99114. Include the case number, names of both parties, what documents you need, whether you want certified copies, and a check or money order for the fees. Processing times may be longer for mail requests. For the Washington State Digital Archives, visit digitalarchives.wa.gov to search historical records online at no cost.

Legal Help in Stevens County

Residents of Stevens County can get free or low-cost legal help through several organizations. Northwest Justice Project covers northeastern Washington and provides civil legal aid to low-income individuals for dissolution, custody, and support matters. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. Self-help guides and forms are at washingtonlawhelp.org. Official court forms for dissolution of marriage are available from the Washington Courts forms page.

The Washington State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722. You can also search their directory at wsba.org. Because Stevens County is rural, many residents work with attorneys in Spokane who handle cases in the county regularly. The county clerk's office can point you toward local resources but cannot provide legal advice.

Cities in Stevens County

All dissolution of marriage cases filed by Stevens County residents go through the Superior Court at 215 South Oak Street in Colville, the county seat.

Communities in Stevens County include Colville, Chewelah, Kettle Falls, Northport, and Marcus. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All residents file their dissolution cases with the Stevens County Superior Court in Colville.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Stevens County. Confirm your county of residence before filing to make sure you go to the right courthouse.