Access Bremerton Divorce Decree Records
Bremerton divorce decree records are maintained by the Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk in Port Orchard, which is the county seat of Kitsap County. Bremerton is the largest city in the county, but the courthouse that handles all dissolution filings is in Port Orchard, about 10 miles south. If you need to find a Bremerton dissolution case, get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, or check the status of a pending case, the Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk is the office to contact. Online case searches are available through the Washington Courts Odyssey portal, and in-person requests are handled at the Division Street courthouse in Port Orchard during regular business hours.
Bremerton Overview
Where Bremerton Dissolution Cases Are Filed
All Bremerton dissolution cases are handled by Kitsap County Superior Court, which sits in Port Orchard at 614 Division Street. Bremerton Municipal Court, at 550 Park Avenue in Bremerton, has no jurisdiction over family law matters. Its authority covers misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and city ordinance violations only. When a Bremerton resident files for dissolution, the petition goes to the Port Orchard courthouse, not to any Bremerton facility.
Kitsap County has a significant military population due to Naval Base Kitsap. Active duty service members and their families follow the same state law process as civilian residents. The 90-day waiting period and residency requirements under RCW 26.09.030 apply the same way. Washington law counts military members stationed in the state as meeting the residency requirement for filing purposes.
| Office | Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 614 Division Street, MS-34 Port Orchard, WA 98366 |
| Phone | (360) 337-7164 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kitsapgov.com/clerk |
Port Orchard is accessible from Bremerton by a short drive down WA-16 or along the Sinclair Inlet shoreline route. Washington State Ferries also connect Bremerton directly to Seattle, which means Seattle resources including the King County Family Law Facilitator and courthouse are accessible for Bremerton residents who may also need to check records there for other reasons.
Bremerton and Kitsap County Court Resources
The Bremerton City Website provides contact information for city services and can help direct residents to the appropriate county court resources.
The city site has general information on local government services, though family law records are maintained at the county level in Port Orchard.
The Kitsap County Government website hosts information on the Superior Court Clerk's office, including record request procedures, fees, and contact details for the Port Orchard courthouse.
The county site is the most direct path to official information on how to access dissolution records for Bremerton cases.
Searching Bremerton Divorce Decree Cases
Kitsap County uses the Washington Courts Odyssey portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov for online case access. You can search by party name or case number. Basic case information is free and includes party names, case type, filing dates, and current status. This covers dissolution cases for Bremerton and all other Kitsap County cities.
The Washington Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds Kitsap County Superior Court records going back to 1973. This is a useful tool for older dissolution cases. You can search the digital archives at no cost. Obtaining copies of the actual records requires contacting the Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk directly.
For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 614 Division Street in Port Orchard during business hours. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties or a case number. Staff can pull the file and produce copies during your visit. Certified copies are available at the counter and carry the official court seal.
If you are not certain which county holds a record, the statewide search at courts.wa.gov searches across all Washington courts by party name. This can confirm whether a case is in Kitsap County or elsewhere.
Bremerton Divorce Filing Steps
Bremerton residents file dissolution petitions at Kitsap County Superior Court under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No wrongdoing needs to be shown. Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or stationed here as a military member at the time of filing.
The process starts with filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the clerk's office in Port Orchard. The other spouse receives service. If both parties agree on all terms, they can file an agreed decree. Disputed cases may need mediation or hearings. A judge signs the final Decree of Dissolution once all issues are resolved and the 90-day waiting period has passed.
Property is divided under RCW 26.09.080. Washington is a community property state. Assets acquired during the marriage are generally split equally, though the court considers what is just and equitable based on each case. Separate property brought in before marriage is treated differently. For Bremerton cases involving military retirement benefits or VA benefits, those assets often require specific federal-level documentation and may need careful handling during property division.
Military families in Bremerton should also be aware that certified copies of the Decree of Dissolution may be required by the Navy's personnel office for changes to dependent status, housing allowance, or base access. Get extra certified copies when the decree is entered. The standard certified copy fee is $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.
Kitsap County may require parents with children to complete a court-approved parenting seminar before a final decree can be entered in a dissolution case.
Bremerton Divorce Decree Fees
The dissolution filing fee at Kitsap County Superior Court is approximately $364. This reflects the state base fee plus statutory surcharges. Verify the exact current amount at the clerk's office before filing.
Copy fees at Kitsap County Superior Court:
- Standard copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copy: $5.00 per document
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford the costs. File a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees with the Superior Court. If you receive public assistance or have income below 200% of the federal poverty level, you likely qualify. Forms are available at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts forms page. Kitsap County Legal Services at (360) 479-7878 also helps residents navigate the fee waiver process and other legal needs.
Legal Help for Bremerton Divorce Cases
Several organizations serve Bremerton and Kitsap County residents with dissolution cases. Some offer free services to qualifying applicants. Others can connect you with a local attorney.
Northwest Justice Project provides family law assistance for income-qualifying residents throughout the state including Kitsap County. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to apply. They handle forms, explain rights, and sometimes provide direct representation. Kitsap County Legal Services at (360) 479-7878 also serves Bremerton residents with civil legal matters including family law.
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org provides free self-help guides for people managing their own dissolution. All official court forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. The Washington State Bar Association directory at wsba.org helps you find local family law attorneys if you need representation. Child support in Kitsap County follows RCW Chapter 26.19, which uses both parents' income and the residential schedule to calculate support amounts.
Divorce Certificates for Bremerton Dissolutions
Washington State divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized after 1968 are issued by the Department of Health. These confirm a divorce occurred but do not include full decree terms. They are used for remarriage applications, name changes, and military paperwork.
Request a certificate from the Washington State Department of Health Vital Records office. For 1968 to 1999 records, the Washington Digital Archives has digital records searchable at no cost. Certified copies require a formal request to DOH.
Kitsap County Divorce Records
Bremerton is the largest city in Kitsap County, and all dissolution filings for Bremerton residents go through Kitsap County Superior Court in Port Orchard. Visit the county page for more information on records and the court system.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Bremerton. Each files dissolution cases through its county's Superior Court.