Walla Walla County Dissolution Of Marriage Search

Walla Walla County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Walla Walla. The clerk holds all divorce case files, including decrees, parenting plans, and financial declarations filed with the court. Walla Walla County serves about 63,000 residents and the Superior Court handles all family law matters for the area. Most dissolution records are public under RCW 42.56. You can search records online through the Washington State Digital Archives or make a direct request to the clerk's office. Note that e-filing is not currently available in Walla Walla County, so all new filings must be submitted in person or by mail.

Walla Walla County Superior Court Clerk

The Walla Walla County Superior Court Clerk is Kathy Martin. The clerk's office is the primary contact for all dissolution of marriage records filed in Walla Walla County Superior Court. According to the clerk's official page, services include public records, criminal, civil, domestic, probate records, and juvenile offender records. Dissolution falls under the "domestic" category.

One important note for Walla Walla County: the court does not accept fax filings or e-filings. All new case filings must be submitted in person or by mail with a cover sheet. This means if you are filing a Petition for Dissolution in this county, you need to bring your documents to the courthouse or mail them. The clerk's office can walk you through the process, though staff cannot give legal advice.

The clerk also handles passport services at the courthouse. For dissolution records specifically, contact the clerk's office by email at clerk1@wwcowa.gov or by phone. You can also request documents through the Washington State Digital Archives.

The Walla Walla County Superior Court page provides general court information and links to services for dissolution of marriage and other family law matters.

How to Search Walla Walla County Dissolution Records

You can search Walla Walla County dissolution of marriage records through several channels. The Washington Courts directory page for Walla Walla County provides current contact and access information. The county directs public records requests to the clerk's office or, for many documents, to the Washington State Archives Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov.

The Washington Courts directory for Walla Walla County lists current contact details and access options for dissolution of marriage records at the Superior Court.

For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 315 West Main Street in Walla Walla. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties or the case number. Staff can locate the case and provide copies. All new filings must come with a cover sheet, so if you are filing rather than searching, ask the clerk for the required cover sheet format.

The county also directs some requests through its NextRequest portal at wallawallacountywa.nextrequest.com for public records that fall outside the clerk's immediate scope. For dissolution records specifically, email clerk1@wwcowa.gov or call (509) 524-2780. The statewide Odyssey Portal may also have Walla Walla County case data available for online searching by name or case number.

Fees and Costs

The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage in Walla Walla County is approximately $280. This covers state-mandated surcharges for court operations and technology. The petitioner pays at the time of filing. Because the county does not accept e-filings, you must pay in person or include a check or money order with your mailed filing. Confirm the current fee with the clerk's office before submitting your paperwork.

Copy fees follow Washington's standard schedule. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page. Non-certified copies are less. For District Court records (as opposed to Superior Court dissolution cases), a $20.00 records search fee applies per the county's records request form. For Sheriff service of process, costs run approximately $40 to $60. Parenting seminars, required when minor children are involved, typically cost $35 to $75.

Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford to pay. File a motion and financial declaration with the Superior Court. Approval generally applies to filers whose income is below 200% of the federal poverty level or who receive public assistance. Forms are at the courthouse or on the Washington Courts forms page.

What Records Are Available

The Walla Walla County Clerk's Office holds dissolution records under the "domestic" category of court records. The full case file includes the Petition for Dissolution, Summons, any responses, financial declarations, any orders entered during the case, a parenting plan if children are involved, and the Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the key document most people need to prove the marriage was legally ended.

Most dissolution records in Walla Walla County are public. You do not need to be a party to request them. Washington's public records law under RCW 42.56 grants broad access. Sealed documents, records involving minors, or materials filed under protective orders may be restricted and require additional authorization. The county's public records officer handles requests that go beyond the scope of what the clerk's office handles directly.

Washington State also maintains a divorce certificate registry through the Department of Health. Records from 1968 onward can be ordered at the DOH vital records page. The Washington State Digital Archives holds older historical records that are useful for research into filings from earlier decades.

The Walla Walla County public records page explains where to find different types of records, including dissolution of marriage cases handled by the Superior Court Clerk.

Getting Copies

To get copies of Walla Walla County dissolution records, visit or contact the clerk's office at 315 West Main Street. The office is open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. In-person requests are straightforward: bring your ID and the case details. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page. Payment options include cash or check.

For mail requests, write to the clerk's office at the 315 West Main address or PO Box 836, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Include the case number, party names, the documents you need, and payment. The clerk processes requests and mails copies back. Allow extra time for mail-in requests. You can also email clerk1@wwcowa.gov to ask about a specific case before mailing your request. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is another option for historical dissolution records.

The Washington Department of Health offers certified divorce certificates for Walla Walla County dissolutions from 1968 to the present, available through VitalChek online or by calling 1-866-687-1464.

Legal Help in Walla Walla County

Walla Walla County residents can access free or low-cost legal assistance through several statewide organizations. Northwest Justice Project covers eastern Washington, including Walla Walla County, and offers free civil legal help for low-income individuals. Call (888) 201-1014 or check nwjustice.org for eligibility details. The county clerk's website specifically notes that staff cannot give legal advice but directs people to visit washingtonlawhelp.org for self-help resources.

WashingtonLawHelp has plain-language guides on dissolution of marriage under RCW Chapter 26.09, covering property division, parenting, and the filing process. Official court forms are available at the Washington Courts forms page. For attorney referrals, contact the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722 or search their directory at wsba.org.

Cities in Walla Walla County

All dissolution of marriage cases from Walla Walla County are handled by the Superior Court at 315 West Main Street in Walla Walla, the county seat.

Other communities in Walla Walla County include College Place, Waitsburg, Prescott, and Burbank. All dissolution cases from these areas go through the Walla Walla County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Walla Walla County. Verify your county of residence before filing your dissolution petition.