Yakima County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Yakima County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in downtown Yakima. The clerk's office receives, processes, and maintains all family law case files, including divorce petitions, decrees, and parenting plans. Yakima County has about 255,000 residents and the Superior Court handles all dissolution matters for the area. Most records are public under RCW 42.56. You can search cases online, request copies in person, or submit a written request by mail. The court also offers a Family Court Facilitator for those navigating the process without an attorney.
Yakima County Overview
Yakima County Superior Court Clerk
The Yakima County Clerk of Superior Court is Billie Maggard. According to the official clerk page, the role of the clerk's office is to serve citizens involved with the Yakima County Superior Court system, receive and process court documents, assist in court proceedings, maintain court files and exhibits, and receipt fees and court-ordered payments. The mission of the clerk's office is to provide the public with access to a fair, accurate, and independently established record of the judiciary's opinions, decisions, and judgments.
The clerk serves specific functions that matter for dissolution records: custodian of all court records and exhibits, manager of the jury system, and quasi-judicial officer for issuing writs and subpoenas. All dissolution case files are held by the clerk's office at Room 323 in the courthouse at 128 N 2nd Street in Yakima. You must file your certificate of completion for any parenting class in this office (Room 323) if the court requires it.
The Yakima County courts provide language access with a "Select Language" option on their website. Court hearings are conducted in person, and parties who need to attend by video can contact the Court Administrator's Office at (509) 574-2710.
| Office | Yakima County Clerk of Superior Court (Billie Maggard) |
|---|---|
| Address |
128 N 2nd Street, Room 323 Yakima, WA 98901 |
| Phone | (509) 574-1430 |
| Billie.maggard@co.yakima.wa.us | |
| Website | yakimacounty.us - Clerk of Superior Court |
The Yakima County Clerk of Superior Court page describes the clerk's role, contact information, and how to access dissolution of marriage and other court records.
How to Search Yakima County Dissolution Records
Yakima County dissolution of marriage records can be searched online. The Yakima County Superior Court website lists common services including finding a case number and getting copies of Superior Court case records. The statewide Odyssey Portal is the primary online tool for searching Yakima County Superior Court cases by party name or case number.
The Yakima County Superior Court website provides links to case search tools, common court services, and the Family Court Facilitator for dissolution of marriage matters.
For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at Room 323, 128 N 2nd Street in Yakima. Bring a photo ID and the case number or the names of both parties. Staff can search the system, pull the file, and make copies. For copy requests that require payment, note that the county accepts cash, cashier's check, or money order at the counter. Personal checks are not accepted for in-person payments. You can also pay through nCourt for some types of requests, though nCourt should not be used for anything related to appeals.
For written requests, submit the Superior Court case number or case name with the correct spelling of the parties involved. You can find the case number online first before submitting a formal copy request. Processing time for written copy requests is 5 to 7 working days after payment is received. If payment is not received within 30 days, the copy request is deleted.
Fees and Costs
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition in Yakima County is approximately $300. This covers state-mandated surcharges. The petitioner pays at the time of filing. Fees change periodically, so call the clerk's office at (509) 574-1430 to confirm the current amount before you file.
Copy fees follow Washington's standard schedule. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page per document. Payment at the counter requires cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal checks are not accepted. For mailed requests, include a cashier's check or money order payable to the Yakima County Clerk's Office. Allow 5 to 7 working days for copies to be prepared after payment clears.
If your dissolution involves minor children, the court requires both parents to complete a parenting class. Online Parenting Programs has been approved by Yakima County Superior Court. Cost is $35 to $75 depending on the program. Your certificate of completion must be filed in the clerk's office at Room 323. Service of process by the sheriff runs approximately $40 to $60. Private process servers vary.
Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. File a motion and declaration with the court. Approval typically requires income below 200% of the federal poverty level or current receipt of public assistance. Forms are at the courthouse or on the Washington Courts forms page.
Payment Note: Yakima County does not accept personal checks for copy payments at the courthouse. Use cash, cashier's check, or money order for in-person transactions, or pay through nCourt for eligible requests.
What Records Are Available
Yakima County Superior Court Clerk holds the complete case file for every dissolution of marriage filed in the county. The county's family law page explains that a divorce is the legal way to end your marriage, with the court addressing property and debt, and issuing a parenting plan and child support order if you have children together. All of the documents generated during this process become part of the case file held by the clerk.
A typical Yakima County dissolution file includes the Petition for Dissolution, Summons, any response from the other party, financial declarations, temporary orders, a parenting plan if children are involved, child support worksheets, the settlement agreement, and the Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the key document. Sealed documents, records involving protective orders, or materials with restricted access may not be available to the general public.
Most dissolution records are public under RCW 42.56. You do not need to be a party to request copies. The county's copy request page notes that sealed or confidential documents cannot be released without a court order. If you are a party to the case or an attorney who has filed a notice of appearance, you may access sealed items, but they will be provided in paper format only. Photo ID may be required. For dissolution certificates from 1968 forward, order from the DOH vital records page.
The Yakima County pay for copies page outlines the process, payment methods, and requirements for obtaining dissolution of marriage records from the Superior Court Clerk.
Getting Copies
To get copies of Yakima County dissolution records, you need the Superior Court case number or the correct spelling of both parties' names. Look up the case number online first through the county's website or the Odyssey Portal before submitting a copy request. This helps the clerk find the file quickly and reduces processing time.
For in-person requests, go to Room 323 at 128 N 2nd Street in Yakima. Pay with cash, cashier's check, or money order. No personal checks. For written requests, submit to the same address with your payment. Processing takes 5 to 7 working days after payment clears. You can also pay some fees through nCourt, but do not use nCourt for appeal-related items. For dissolution certificates from 1968 onward, order from the Washington State Department of Health at the DOH vital records page or call 1-866-687-1464.
The Washington Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for Yakima County dissolutions from 1968 onward, which are separate from the Superior Court case file held by the county clerk.
Legal Help in Yakima County
Yakima County has a Family Court Facilitator to help self-represented parties. The facilitator is Angela Gutierrez, located at 128 N 2nd Street, Room 213, Yakima, WA 98901. Call (509) 574-2695 for general inquiries, or (509) 574-1894 for Spanish language assistance. The facilitator helps with questions about forms and procedures but does not give legal advice and does not represent either party.
Northwest Justice Project covers central Washington, including Yakima County, and provides free civil legal help to low-income individuals. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. Self-help resources are at washingtonlawhelp.org. Official court forms, including those for dissolution with and without children, are at the Washington Courts forms page. Washington is a no-fault state under RCW 26.09.030 with a 90-day waiting period after filing before a dissolution can be finalized. For attorney referrals, call the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722 or search at wsba.org.
Cities in Yakima County
All dissolution of marriage cases filed by Yakima County residents are handled by the Superior Court Clerk at Room 323, 128 N 2nd Street in Yakima.
Other communities in Yakima County include Selah, Union Gap, Wapato, Sunnyside, Grandview, Toppenish, and Moxee. All dissolution cases from these areas go through the Yakima County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Yakima County. Check your county of residence before filing your dissolution petition to make sure you go to the correct court.