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Washington Divorce Records

Washington divorce records, including divorce certificates, decrees, and case information, are formal documents recording the termination of marriages in the state. These records are accessible to the public under Washington law, though certain sensitive information such as social security numbers, addresses, and health care records may be sealed.

The divorce rate in Washington State has been decreasing since the early 1990s. In 1991, the rate was 5.9 per 1,000 population, dropping to 4.6 by 2000 and 3.6 by 2014. In 2019, Washington had the 5th highest divorce rate in the U.S. at 3.4 per 1,000 population, with over 23,000 divorces, a 1.6% increase from 2018.

Washington is a no-fault divorce state, requiring only that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." Judges consider all relevant factors, including reconciliation possibilities, and may refer couples to counseling before finalizing the divorce.

To access divorce records, contact the Washington Department of Health or the Superior Court Clerk's Office in the county where the divorce was finalized. Records can also be requested by mail, telephone, or online through VitalChek. Fees and processing times vary depending on the method of request and the type of document needed.

What are Divorce Records?

Washington divorce records are formal records of marriage terminations in the state. These records serve as legal and official archives that may be useful for critical reasons such as settling estates and remarrying. Divorce records in Washington are available as divorce certificates, divorce decrees, and divorce case information.

Are Divorce Records Public in Washington?

Divorce records, such as divorce certificates and divorce decrees, are public records under Washington law. The public can access entries on court dockets, pleadings, and orders filed in a case. Note that certain types of information may be sealed from public view and placed in a confidential information file. Such information includes social security information, addresses, and phone numbers. Other records may be filed in a sealed section, such as financial documents, health care records, and detailed records obtained as part of a parenting evaluation.

Divorce Stats and Rates in Washington

The divorce rate in Washington State has steadily decreased since the early 1990s, mirroring a nationwide trend. In 1991, the divorce rate was 5.9 per 1,000 population. By 2000, this rate had declined to 4.6 per 1,000. Continuing this downward trajectory, the rate dropped to 3.6 per 1,000 by 2014.

In 2019, Washington had the 5th highest divorce rate in the nation, with 3.4 divorces per 1,000 population. That year saw over 23,000 divorces in the state, reflecting a 1.6% increase from 2018. The median age for divorce in Washington was 44 for men and 42 for women.

The average duration of marriage for divorced couples in 2019 was 14.7 years, and the average cost of a divorce was $13,500. The counties with the highest divorce rates were King (3.7 per 1,000 population), Pierce (3.6 per 1,000), and Snohomish (3.5 per 1,000). As of 2022, King, Pierce, Lincoln, and Snohomish Counties ranked highest for counties with the highest number of divorces in the state.

The divorce rates for 2020, 2021, and 2022 were 2.8, 2.9, and 2.8 per 1,000 residents, respectively. In those years, the total number of divorces was 21,592, 22,402, and 22,062.

Grounds for Divorce in Washington

Per divorce matters, Washington is a no-fault state, meaning there are no predetermined grounds for which a marriage may be dissolved. In accordance with R.C.W. § 26.09.030, a divorce may be granted by Washington courts if a marriage has irretrievably broken down. If a marriage has reached a point where reconciliation is no longer possible, it may be said to have broken down irretrievably. In such a case, a judge may grant a divorce if 90 days have passed since one of the spouses filed for divorce or 90 days have passed since the defendant was served with legal notice of the divorce filing.

If one spouse disagrees that the union is irretrievably broken, the judge will evaluate all relevant factors, including the reasons for the divorce filing and the likelihood of reconciliation. Based on this assessment, the judge will either determine the marriage is irretrievably broken and grant the divorce or, if requested by either party or at the judge's discretion, transfer the case to family court and refer both parties to a counseling service. The counseling service will report back within sixty days, or a hearing will be held within that time frame.

Following this period, the judge will decide whether the spouses have reconciled, and dismiss the divorce case or confirm that the marriage is irretrievably broken and grant the divorce. Additionally, the judge may dismiss a divorce petition if there is evidence that the filing was influenced by fraud or coercion.

How to File for Divorce in Washington

While several other states in the United States require divorcing spouses to have lived for a specific period within their jurisdiction before filing for a divorce, Washington only requires persons filing for divorce to be legal state residents. Alternatively, they may be stationed in the state as a United States Armed Forces member.

After meeting this requirement, you may proceed to file for a divorce by following these steps:

Upon completing the forms, you can file the paperwork in the county where you or your spouse live. You will pay a filing fee in court or apply for a waiver if you cannot pay the fee, which may be up to $300 or more.

  • Serve your spouse: After filing your paperwork in the Superior Court, you must provide a copy of the divorce petition and summons to your spouse to notify them of the dissolution action and allow for a response to the petition. Your spouse has 20 days to respond. Otherwise, the court may grant your request in what is known as a default judgment. Serving your spouse may be done by a sheriff or an individual aged 18 or older who is not a party to the case.
  • Response to the petition: Your spouse may respond in the form of a counter-petition or an answer. If your spouse responds within 20 days, the divorce becomes contested. Alternatively, your spouse may seek an extension beyond the stipulated 20 days.
  • Temporary orders: Temporary orders may be obtained after a divorce case becomes contested, and specific responsibilities must be met before the final dissolution of the marriage. By filing a motion in the court for a temporary order, the court may issue temporary orders to provide temporary relief for matters such as child support, child custody, spousal maintenance, and other necessary matters.
  • Parent education seminar: Except Lincoln County, other Washington counties require divorcing parents to attend a parenting seminar if minor children are involved in the divorce. This seminar outlines the significant changes that come to a family in a divorce and how the changes may impact the children. This seminar costs a fee and must be completed within 60 days after filing the petition.
  • Discovery: This stage involves exchanging information to prepare for hearings, arbitrations, negotiations, mediations, and trials. Unless both spouses are able to resolve issues in a divorce and enter into an agreement, discovery is almost always required. Some of the documents required in discovery include those relating to income, investment accounts, retirement funds, insurance policies, and real property.
  • Mediation: Mediation can be a good alternative to trial if you and your spouse are willing to communicate and reach an agreement. Mediation may be ordered by the judge or chosen by you and your spouse.
  • Settlement: If you are able to reach an agreement with your spouse on all matters in the divorce, your attorney may draft a marital settlement agreement that both parties will sign. Subsequently, the agreement may be presented to the court for the judge to approve.
  • Trial: The matter will move to trial if an agreement cannot be reached. A judge will consider the issues in the case and make a decision on them all, typically after multiple hearings. These determinations will be contained in the divorce decree, the final judgment permanently binding on both parties.

Washington Divorce Decree

A divorce decree is the final ruling by a Washington court on the dissolution of a marriage. It grants the divorce and includes comprehensive information regarding the split. The decree typically spans multiple pages specifying the case number, date, and specific terms and responsibilities of each party. It details the division of assets and debts and includes provisions for child custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support.

In contrast to a divorce decree, a divorce certificate is a basic document. It is a single-page statement that officially declares the marriage over. The divorce certificate includes only the basic information pertinent to the case, such as the names of the divorced parties and the date the divorce was finalized. Unlike the detailed divorce decree, the certificate does not include the specifics of the divorce terms.

How to Find and Access Washington Divorce Records

The Office of Vital Records in the Washington Department of Health has records of divorces (divorce certificates) finalized in the state from January 1, 1968. Divorce records may be obtained in the form of certified copies (Certificates) or informational copies. Depending on whether you want a certified copy (divorce certificate) or a non-certified (informational) copy of a divorce record, the DOH outlines slightly varying mandatory information and acceptable I.D. Non-refundable fees for Washington divorce records start at $25 per certified or informational copy.

It takes up to five months from the date of divorce for a Washington County Clerk's Office to send a divorce record to the state Department of Health. If your divorce was finalized in the last five months and you need a divorce certificate, you may contact the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized. Note that county Clerk's Offices in Washington State do not issue divorce certificates.

Typically required information when obtaining a divorce certificate in Washington are:

  • The first and last names of the individuals named on the record. By providing the names of both divorced parties, you increase the chance of obtaining a faster response from the Office of Vital Statistics
  • The approximate date of the divorce (including the month, day, and year)
  • The county where the divorce was finalized
  • In Washington, you can use offline and online methods approved by the state to obtain a divorce certificate or divorce decree

Offline Access

You can obtain divorce records from the Office of Vital Statistics by mail by sending a completed Divorce Certificate Mail Order Form and a check or money order (made payable to the Department of Health) for the applicable fee to:

Department of Health

Center for Health Statistics

P.O. Box 9709

Olympia, WA 98507

Mail requests may take up to eight weeks to process.

Orders for divorce certificates can be made by telephone. To obtain a divorce certificate by telephone, call VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464. You will be required to pay the applicable fee by debit or credit card. Orders by telephone may take up to 7 business days to process.

In addition, you can obtain your divorce decree by visiting the Superior Court Clerk's Office in the county where the divorce was finalized. The state does not authorize the Department of Health to maintain or issue divorce decrees. If you want access to the divorce court case information, you may also get it from the office of the Superior Court Clerk.

Online Access

The Office of Vital record allows requesters to access divorce records online via the state's only contracted and approved third-party vendor (VitalChek). To get a divorce certificate via the vendor’s services, visit the VitalChek website and pay the non-refundable $25 certificate fee, $8.50 VitalChek fee, and $7 DOH processing fee. An optional $3 VitalChek identity authentication quiz fee may also apply, increasing the total VitalChek fee to $11.50.

Additional fees may also apply depending on the ordering and shipping method. Payments may be made via a credit card or debit card. Responses are typically shipped within 3-7 business days of the DOH receiving the order from VitalChek, depending on the shipping out selected.

 

References

Counties in Washington

List of Content

  1. What are Divorce Records?
    1. Are Divorce Records Public in Washington?
      1. Divorce Stats and Rates in Washington
        1. Grounds for Divorce in Washington
          1. How to File for Divorce in Washington
            1. Washington Divorce Decree
          2. How to Find and Access Washington Divorce Records
            1. Offline Access
            2. Online Access