Burien Divorce Decree Lookup

Burien divorce decree records are maintained by King County Superior Court, which handles all dissolution filings for Burien residents. Burien is a suburban city in south King County, just south of Seattle and close to Sea-Tac Airport. There is no family court in Burien itself. The King County District Court South Division, which serves the Burien area, handles only misdemeanor and civil matters, not family law. If you need to search for a Burien dissolution case, request a certified copy of a decree, or file a new petition, King County Superior Court is the right place. Both the main Seattle courthouse and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent serve Burien residents.

Where Burien Divorce Records Are Filed

All dissolution cases for Burien residents go to King County Superior Court. Burien does not have its own municipal court that handles dissolution. The city has an interlocal agreement with the King County District Court South Division, which operates at 601 SW 149th St in Burien for misdemeanor and civil matters. But that court does not handle family law. When you need to file a dissolution petition or access existing family law records for a Burien case, you go to King County Superior Court.

The Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent is the closest King County Superior Court facility to Burien for south county residents. The main courthouse in downtown Seattle is also fully accessible. Both locations are served by the same clerk's office system, so records requests, filings, and certified copies can be handled at either location.

Burien City Hall is located at 400 SW 152nd St, Suite 300, Burien, WA 98166. The city clerk handles city-level public records like permits and ordinances, but not court records. For anything related to a dissolution case, the county clerk is the right contact.

Burien City and County Court Access

The Burien City Website provides general city government information and can help residents find the right contact for court and county matters.

While the city site does not host court records directly, it can point you to King County resources for family law matters including dissolution cases.

For online case searches, the King County court records portal at kingcounty.gov court records provides access to Superior Court cases from November 2004 onward. You can search by party name or case number and download documents through the portal for a small fee. The King County District Court South Division at kingcounty.gov district court south handles non-family matters for the Burien area.

How to Look Up Burien Divorce Decree Records

The King County court records portal is the main online tool for searching Burien dissolution cases. Search by last name, first name format, or by case number. You can filter results to the family and domestic case type to narrow your results to dissolution filings. The portal shows case status, party names, and docket entries for cases filed after November 2004.

The statewide Washington Courts case search at courts.wa.gov also works for Burien cases. It searches all Washington counties and can confirm a case is in King County before you go to the portal directly. Basic information is free on both tools.

To get certified copies or access the full case file, contact the King County Superior Court Clerk. For in-person visits, the Kent courthouse is the most convenient for Burien residents. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties or the case number. Staff can produce copies during your visit in most cases. For older files predating 2004, or for microfilm records, plan for a longer wait while staff pull archival materials.

Note: If you don't have the case number and need staff to locate the file, King County charges a $30 per-hour research fee. Having both parties' full names and an approximate filing year avoids most of this cost.

Filing Divorce in Burien

Burien dissolution cases follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only required ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No one has to prove fault or provide reasons. Under RCW 26.09.030, one spouse must be a Washington resident or military member stationed in the state at the time of filing. No minimum county residency period is required.

To start, one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at King County Superior Court. The other spouse is served with those documents or signs a Joinder. A 90-day waiting period begins after service. The court cannot enter a final decree until this period has passed. Agreed cases move faster once the waiting period is over. Contested cases may require mediation or a trial.

Property division in Burien cases follows RCW 26.09.080. Washington is a community property state. Assets acquired during the marriage are generally split equally. The court considers all circumstances to reach a just and equitable result. Separate property is treated differently from community property. All forms needed are available at courts.wa.gov/forms.

Burien Divorce Record Fees

The dissolution filing fee at King County Superior Court is approximately $364. This includes state-mandated surcharges. Verify the current amount with the clerk before filing, as fees may change.

Copy fees for existing records:

• Non-certified copies via the online portal: $0.25 per page
• Non-certified copies at the clerk's counter: $0.50 per page
• Certified copy: $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page
• Expedited processing: $30.00 extra for one-business-day turnaround
• Research fee (no case number): $30.00 per hour

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a waiver by filing a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. People who receive public benefits or whose household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. Forms are at the courthouse or at courts.wa.gov/forms.

Legal Assistance for Burien Residents

Several resources serve Burien residents who need help with dissolution cases. Free services are available for people who qualify based on income. Referral services can help you find paid counsel if needed.

Northwest Justice Project handles family law cases for income-qualifying King County residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or apply at nwjustice.org. They assist with forms, explain legal rights, and sometimes represent clients at court hearings. Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has free guides for people filing without an attorney.

The King County Family Law Facilitator in Room W-291 at the Seattle courthouse is another strong resource for self-represented Burien filers. Call (206) 263-3542. Staff there can review your paperwork, explain the process, and answer procedural questions. They cannot give legal advice but are knowledgeable about what the court requires. For attorney referrals, search the Washington State Bar Association directory at wsba.org.

Child support for Burien cases follows RCW Chapter 26.19. The state uses income-based guidelines with worksheets that factor in both parents' earnings and the residential schedule. Blank worksheets are on the courts website.

Divorce Certificates for Burien Cases

The Washington State Department of Health issues divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized after 1968. These certificates confirm the divorce took place but do not include terms of the decree. They are used for remarriage applications, name changes, and benefits documentation.

Request a certificate from the Washington State Department of Health Vital Records office. For records from 1968 through 1999, the Washington Digital Archives offers searchable digital records at no cost. Certified copies require a formal request and fee to the DOH.

King County Divorce Records

Burien is entirely within King County. All dissolution filings for Burien residents go through King County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more on how these records work across the county.

View King County Divorce Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Burien in south King County. Each files dissolution cases through King County Superior Court.