Thurston County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Thurston County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the County Clerk at the Superior Court. The clerk holds all divorce case files including decrees, parenting plans, and financial declarations. Thurston County is home to Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater, and serves roughly 305,000 residents. You can search dissolution cases online, purchase documents through the county's Clerk Documents portal, or visit one of the two courthouse locations in person. Most dissolution records are public under RCW 42.56, with some exceptions for sealed materials and records involving minors.
Thurston County Overview
Thurston County Superior Court Clerk
The Thurston County Clerk's Office operates at two locations: Civil and Criminal matters are handled at 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW in Olympia, and Family and Juvenile cases are handled at 2801 32nd AVE SW in Tumwater. Dissolution of marriage cases are family law matters, so they are processed through the Tumwater family court location. Both locations offer public terminals for document viewing, available from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.
According to the county clerk's official page, in-person customer service counters are currently closed due to budget reductions, effective March 2026. Public terminals remain available for document viewing. If you need to view confidential documents and you are a party to the case, you can schedule a Records Coordinator appointment. Contact the clerk's office at (360) 786-5430 or email tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us to arrange access.
The clerk's page includes quick links for eFiling, purchasing documents, making payments, and searching cases. The Thurston County Superior Court handles dissolution cases and all other family law matters for residents throughout the county.
| Office (Family/Juvenile) | Thurston County Clerk - Family and Juvenile Division |
|---|---|
| Address |
2801 32nd AVE SW Tumwater, WA 98512 |
| Civil/Criminal Address |
2000 Lakeridge Dr SW Olympia, WA 98502 |
| Phone | (360) 786-5430 |
| tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us | |
| Website | thurstoncountywa.gov - County Clerk |
The Thurston County Clerk's official page provides links to eFiling, document purchasing, case search tools, and contact details for dissolution of marriage and other Superior Court cases.
How to Search Thurston County Dissolution Records
Thurston County offers several ways to search dissolution of marriage records. The county's Clerk Documents app at clerkdocs.thurstoncountywa.gov launched in March 2025 and lets you purchase copies of court documents online from any device. Search for your case by cause number, preview the documents, add them to your cart, and check out. This tool is available around the clock and is designed to be simple for any skill level.
Thurston County's Clerk Documents portal lets you search and purchase dissolution of marriage records online without visiting the courthouse.
You can also use the statewide Odyssey Portal to search Thurston County cases by name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows case status, party names, and docket entries. For documents not available online, you can request them by email at tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us. Include the case number, case name, and the specific documents you need. The clerk will respond with the page count and cost, along with a link to pay online.
Public terminals are available at both courthouse locations from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for free in-person document viewing. This is a good option if you only need to look something up and don't need a printed copy. The court facilitator can also assist self-represented parties with questions about forms and procedures.
Fees and Costs
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition in Thurston County is approximately $300. This includes state-mandated surcharges. The petitioner pays this when filing the initial petition. Fees may shift from year to year, so confirm the current amount by calling (360) 786-5430 before filing.
Copy fees in Thurston County are set by the clerk's office. Hard copies of non-certified documents cost $0.50 per page. Electronic copies of non-certified documents cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page, per document. Certified copies purchased online include a certification page with instructions for verifying the document's integrity. Service of process by the Thurston County Sheriff typically runs $40 to $60. Parenting seminar fees for cases involving children are $35 to $75.
- Hard copy (non-certified): $0.50 per page
- Electronic copy (non-certified): $0.25 per page
- Certified copy: $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional
- Sheriff service: approximately $40 to $60
- Parenting seminar (with children): $35 to $75
Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. File a motion with your financial declaration. Approval typically applies when income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level or when the filer receives public assistance. Forms are at the courthouse or on the Washington Courts forms page.
Note: Thurston County has important distinctions between Court Administration records and County Clerk records. For a dissolution decree or parenting plan, contact the County Clerk, not Court Administration.
What Records Are Available
Thurston County Superior Court Clerk holds the full case file for all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. According to the county's own records page, the clerk provides access to dissolution (divorce) decrees, parenting plans, orders of support, and protection orders. These are all in the court file. Court Administration holds a separate set of judicial administrative records, but those are different from the clerk's court file. For your decree or parenting plan, the clerk is the right office.
Most dissolution records in Thurston County are public. You can view them at the public terminals in either courthouse location without any fee. If you want copies, you can purchase them online, by email, or in person. Sealed or confidential documents require a party to the case to schedule an appointment. Documents involving minors or filed under protective orders may also have restricted access.
The Washington State Department of Health maintains a separate registry of divorce certificates from 1968 to the present. You can order certified copies from the DOH vital records page. This is often the quickest way to get a certified document if you just need proof that a dissolution occurred rather than the full case file.
The Washington Department of Health allows online ordering of certified divorce certificates for Thurston County dissolutions from 1968 forward.
Getting Copies
You have several options for getting copies of Thurston County dissolution records. The Clerk Documents portal at clerkdocs.thurstoncountywa.gov is the most convenient for online purchases. Search by case number, preview the documents you need, and check out securely. This is available any time of day from any device.
For documents not available online, email tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us. Provide the case number, case name, and a list of the documents you want. The clerk will reply with the total page count and cost. You will receive a payment link. Once payment clears, the documents are sent to you. If you need to visit in person, public terminals are available at both locations from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Contact the clerk at (360) 786-5430 to confirm what is currently available at each location.
The Thurston County guide on obtaining copies explains the exact fees, methods, and procedures for getting dissolution of marriage records from the Superior Court file.
Legal Help in Thurston County
Several organizations help Thurston County residents with dissolution of marriage cases. Northwest Justice Project offers free civil legal aid to qualifying low-income individuals. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org for details on services and eligibility. The CLEAR hotline provides free telephone legal help for low-income Washington residents statewide.
The Thurston County Clerk's office has a Court Facilitator who assists self-represented parties with questions about court forms, filing procedures, and general process guidance. The facilitator does not give legal advice but can help you understand which forms to use. Self-help resources are available at washingtonlawhelp.org. All official court forms, including dissolution packets with and without children, are posted on the Washington Courts forms page. The Washington State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722 and also lists attorneys at wsba.org.
Cities in Thurston County
All dissolution of marriage cases filed by Thurston County residents are handled through the Superior Court. The Family and Juvenile location is at 2801 32nd AVE SW in Tumwater.
Other communities in Thurston County include Yelm, Tenino, Rainier, and Grand Mound. All dissolution cases from these areas go through the Thurston County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
Check your county of residence to confirm where you need to file. Dissolution cases must be filed in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.