Wahkiakum County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Wahkiakum County dissolution of marriage records are held by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Cathlamet. The clerk maintains all divorce case files going back to 1890, when records first began. Wahkiakum is the smallest county in Washington by population, with about 4,500 residents. Because the court is small, records access is typically handled directly through the clerk's office. Most dissolution filings are public under RCW 42.56, and the statewide Odyssey Portal is available for online searches. In-person visits and the Washington State Digital Archives are also useful for finding older records.

Wahkiakum County Superior Court Clerk

The Wahkiakum County Clerk is an elected official who serves as the ex officio Clerk of the Court. Under Washington law and the state constitution, the clerk must be present at all court sessions to establish an independent record of each hearing. The clerk receives and keeps all exhibits entered by the parties and maintains permanent records of every case filed in Superior Court. Dissolution of marriage falls under family law and is part of the clerk's record-keeping responsibilities.

According to the official county clerk page, the office handles felony criminal, civil lawsuits, family law matters, probates, guardianships, and mental health or alcohol commitment cases. The clerk also collects and disburses monies for court costs, child support, restitution, and trust accounts. Jury management for the Superior Court also comes under the clerk's umbrella.

The county clerk is Kay M. Holland. Contact information for the Superior Court and the clerk's office is the same, with both located at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet.

The Wahkiakum County Superior Court Clerk page describes the clerk's role and responsibilities, including record-keeping for dissolution of marriage and other family law cases.

How to Search Wahkiakum County Dissolution Records

Because Wahkiakum is a small county, many records searches happen directly through the clerk's office. The statewide Odyssey Portal is available for online searches and covers Wahkiakum County Superior Court filings. You can search by party name or case number. Results show case status, party names, and docket entries. Not all documents are digitized, especially older filings.

The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal is the primary online tool for searching Wahkiakum County dissolution of marriage cases without visiting the courthouse in Cathlamet.

For older dissolution records, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov may have historical materials that are not accessible online through the Odyssey system. Wahkiakum County has maintained court records since 1890, and some of those older files may only be viewable through the archives. Genealogical researchers often use this resource for dissolution and divorce records that predate electronic records systems.

For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet. Note that the office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties or a case number. Staff can search the record system and provide copies. Because this is a small court, turnaround is generally quick for basic requests.

Fees and Costs

The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition in Wahkiakum County is approximately $280. This includes statutory surcharges required under Washington law. Fees are paid by the petitioner at the time of filing and are subject to change. Confirm the current amount by calling (360) 795-3558 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. Non-certified copies are cheaper. Because Wahkiakum County is small, there is no county sheriff service for this area in the traditional sense, but the court can advise you on how to arrange service of process. If children are involved in your dissolution, Washington law under RCW 26.09.187 governs parenting and custody matters, and the court may require a parenting seminar at a cost of $35 to $75.

Fee waivers are available for filers who cannot afford the cost. File a motion and financial declaration showing income below 200% of the federal poverty level, or current receipt of public assistance. Waiver forms are available from the clerk's office or from the Washington Courts forms page.

What Records Are Available

Wahkiakum County Superior Court has maintained dissolution of marriage records since 1890. The clerk keeps the complete case file for every divorce filed in the county. This includes the Petition for Dissolution, the Summons, any responses filed by the other party, financial declarations, parenting plans, all orders entered during the case, and the final Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the document that officially ends the marriage.

Most dissolution records 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 allows broad public access to court documents. Sealed financial records, records involving minors, or materials covered by a protective order may be restricted. For records from 1968 forward, the Washington State Department of Health also maintains a registry. You can order certified divorce certificates through the DOH vital records page. For records predating 1968, the county clerk or the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov are your best sources.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical Wahkiakum County court records, including older dissolution of marriage filings that may not be available through online case search systems.

Getting Copies

To get copies of Wahkiakum County dissolution records, visit the clerk's office at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a lunch break from noon to 1:00 PM. Bring a photo ID and the case number or the names of both parties. Staff can pull the case and provide copies on request. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.

You can also reach the clerk by phone at (360) 795-3558 or by email at hollandk@co.wahkiakum.wa.us to ask about mail-in requests. Provide the case number, party names, and which documents you need. Include a check or money order for the estimated copy fees. For dissolution certificates from 1968 forward, order directly from the Washington State Department of Health. For older records or genealogical research, try the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov.

The Washington Department of Health provides certified divorce certificates for Wahkiakum County dissolutions recorded from 1968 to present, available by mail or through VitalChek online.

Legal Help in Wahkiakum County

Wahkiakum County is rural and has limited local legal resources. Northwest Justice Project covers southwestern Washington including this county and provides free civil legal help to low-income individuals. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. The CLEAR hotline is available statewide for those who need free phone legal advice.

Self-help guides and forms are available at washingtonlawhelp.org. All official dissolution forms are at the Washington Courts forms page. For those who want to hire an attorney, the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722 can help connect you with a licensed family law attorney. Their full directory is at wsba.org. Many attorneys serving Wahkiakum County residents are based in nearby Cowlitz or Pacific counties.

Cities in Wahkiakum County

All dissolution of marriage cases from Wahkiakum County are handled by the Superior Court at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet, the county seat.

Wahkiakum County communities include Cathlamet, Skamokawa, Grays River, and Naselle. None currently meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All residents file dissolution cases at the Wahkiakum County Superior Court in Cathlamet.

Nearby Counties

Wahkiakum County borders Pacific County to the west and Cowlitz County to the east. Confirm your county of residence before filing your dissolution petition.