Des Moines Divorce Decree Search
Des Moines divorce decree records are maintained by King County Superior Court, which handles all dissolution filings for residents of this waterfront city on Puget Sound. Des Moines sits in south King County between Burien and Federal Way, and all family law matters for the city go through King County's court system. Des Moines Municipal Court handles only misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, or file a new petition, you will work with King County Superior Court. The Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent is the nearest Superior Court facility for Des Moines residents, and online searches are available through the King County court records portal.
Des Moines Overview
Where Des Moines Dissolution Cases Are Filed
All dissolution petitions for Des Moines residents are filed at King County Superior Court. Des Moines Municipal Court, at 21630 11th Avenue S, handles only misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic infractions. The Normandy Park Municipal Court may also serve some Des Moines-area cases at the municipal level, but neither of those courts has any authority over family law matters.
For dissolution filings in Des Moines, you have two main King County courthouse options. The Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent at 401 4th Ave N handles family law matters for south King County and is generally the most convenient option for Des Moines residents. The main courthouse in downtown Seattle at 516 Third Avenue also processes records and is where the Family Law Facilitator office is based. Both locations draw from the same King County clerk's system.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Kent Location | Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 (206) 477-1760 |
| Seattle Location | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue, Room E-609 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
Des Moines City Hall is at 21630 11th Avenue S, Des Moines, WA 98198. The city clerk handles permits, ordinances, and city-level public records but not court records. For anything related to a dissolution case or decree, contact King County Superior Court directly.
Des Moines Divorce Decree Resources
The Des Moines City Website provides contact information for city services and can help residents navigate to the right county court resources for family law matters.
While the city site handles city-level records, it can point you to King County Superior Court for dissolution cases and decree requests.
For online case searches, the King County court records portal at kingcounty.gov court records covers Superior Court cases from November 2004 forward. You can search by party name or case number, filter by case type, and download documents through the portal. The Washington Courts statewide search at courts.wa.gov is also available for cross-county searches.
How to Find Des Moines Divorce Records
The King County court records portal is the primary online tool for searching Des Moines dissolution cases. Go to the portal at the King County court records page and search by party name using last name, first name format. You can also search by case number. Filtering to the family or domestic case type narrows results to dissolution filings specifically. Case status, party names, and docket entries are visible for free. Downloading documents requires a fee, and downloads stay accessible for 14 days.
King County case numbers follow the format XX-X-XXXXX-X. If you have the case number, the search is faster. If you only have party names, search by the less common name first for the clearest results. Staff at the clerk's office can assist with name-based lookups if the online search does not return what you need.
For in-person requests, the Kent courthouse is the most practical option for Des Moines residents. Bring a photo ID. Staff can pull the file and make copies during your visit for most cases. Certified copies can be obtained the same day in many situations. For older records filed before 2004, or for microfilm records going back to 1854, plan for a longer wait while staff retrieve archival materials.
If the original case cannot be located through King County, the statewide search at courts.wa.gov can confirm which county holds the record in the event it was filed in a neighboring county.
Des Moines Divorce Filing Process
Des Moines dissolution cases follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a pure no-fault state. The only required ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No fault needs to be shown and no specific event needs to be alleged. Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a military member stationed in the state at the time of filing. No minimum county residency period applies.
Filing starts with a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons submitted to King County Superior Court. The other spouse is served or signs a Joinder. Once service is complete, the 90-day waiting period begins. The court cannot finalize the decree until that period has passed. If both parties agree on all terms, an agreed decree can move through the system once the waiting period expires. Contested issues require additional court proceedings.
Property division follows RCW 26.09.080. Washington is a community property state. Assets acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally, subject to the court's determination of what is just and equitable. Separate property brought in before marriage is typically not subject to equal division. All standard filing forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms.
King County requires both parents to complete a parenting seminar before a final dissolution decree can be entered when children are part of the case. This applies to all Des Moines filings in King County Superior Court.
Des Moines Divorce Record Fees
The dissolution filing fee at King County Superior Court is approximately $364. This amount includes the state base fee and required surcharges. Verify the current total with the clerk before filing, as fees may be adjusted by the state legislature.
Fees for obtaining copies of existing records:
- Non-certified copies via online portal: $0.25 per page
- Non-certified copies at the clerk's counter: $0.50 per page
- Certified copy: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 each additional page
- Expedited processing: $30.00 for next-business-day service
- Research fee when no case number is provided: $30.00 per hour
Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the costs. File a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees with King County Superior Court. You generally qualify if you receive public assistance or have household income below 200% of the federal poverty level. Waiver forms are at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts forms page.
Legal Help for Des Moines Divorce Cases
Several organizations serve Des Moines and south King County residents with dissolution matters. Free services are available to those who qualify.
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 rights, and sometimes provide direct representation. Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org offers free self-help guides and filing instructions for people managing their own dissolution.
The King County Family Law Facilitator is in Room W-291 at the Seattle courthouse. Call (206) 263-3542. The facilitator helps self-represented filers understand the process, review paperwork, and navigate the clerk's office. This is a practical resource for Des Moines residents who are filing without an attorney. For attorney referrals, use the Washington State Bar Association directory at wsba.org. All official forms are on the Washington Courts website.
If children are involved, child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19. The state uses income-based guidelines with worksheets factoring in both parents' earnings and the residential schedule. Worksheets are available from the courts website.
Divorce Certificates for Des Moines Cases
The Washington State Department of Health issues divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized after 1968. These confirm that a divorce occurred but do not contain full decree terms. 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 holds digital records that are searchable at no cost. Certified copies still require a formal request and fee to DOH.
King County Divorce Records
Des Moines is in King County, and all dissolution filings for Des Moines residents go through King County Superior Court. For more on how King County handles these records, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Des Moines in south King County. Each files dissolution cases through King County Superior Court.