Edmonds Divorce Decree Records
Edmonds divorce decree records are filed and maintained through the Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk's office in Everett. If you live in Edmonds and need to find a dissolution case, request a certified copy, or check the status of a filing, the County Clerk is your point of contact. Edmonds sits along the waterfront in southwest Snohomish County and is home to about 42,000 residents. All family law matters for Edmonds residents go through the county court system. The Odyssey portal gives you online access to basic case details, and the clerk's office in Everett handles certified copies and in-person records requests.
Edmonds Overview
Where Edmonds Divorce Decrees Are Filed
Edmonds residents file all dissolution petitions at Snohomish County Superior Court. The clerk's office is located in Everett, which is the county seat of Snohomish County. This office handles all case filings, records requests, and certified copy orders for dissolution cases throughout the county. Edmonds is in the western part of Snohomish County, and regardless of where in the county you live, this is the one courthouse for family law matters.
Edmonds Municipal Court only handles misdemeanor crimes, traffic infractions, and city ordinance violations. It does not process divorce or dissolution cases. If someone tells you to go to the municipal court for divorce records, that is not correct. The Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk is the right office.
| Office | Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 605, Room M206 Everett, WA 98201 |
| Phone | (425) 388-3466 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | snohomishcountywa.gov |
The drive from Edmonds to the Everett courthouse is about 20 to 25 minutes north on I-5. If you cannot make it in person, mail requests are accepted. Call the clerk's office at (425) 388-3466 to confirm what to include before sending anything.
Searching Edmonds Divorce Records Online
The primary online tool for Snohomish County dissolution records is the Odyssey portal managed by Washington Courts. You can search by party name or case number at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. The portal shows basic case details like party names, case type, filing date, and current status. It does not give you access to the full case documents, but it confirms whether a case exists and provides a case number you can use for follow-up requests.
You can also check the Snohomish County court records access page at snohomishcountywa.gov/5508/Access-Court-Records for additional search options. Historical dissolution records going back further than the digital system are available through the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov. Older paper records may require a direct request to the clerk.
To search for a dissolution case, you will need at minimum the full name of one party. Having an approximate year of filing helps narrow results. A case number, if you already have it, makes the search much faster.
The City of Edmonds maintains its own records through City Hall, but those records do not include divorce decrees. The Edmonds City Hall at 121 5th Ave N handles city permits, business licenses, and public records related to city operations only.
The Edmonds City Website provides information on city services and municipal records, though dissolution records are handled at the county level.
City Hall serves Edmonds residents with municipal matters, but divorce filings and records requests go through Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett.
Edmonds Divorce Decree Filing Process
Washington dissolution law is governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Under RCW 26.09.030, either spouse must be a resident of Washington State or stationed here on active military duty at the time of filing. There is no minimum county residency requirement. Washington is a no-fault state, meaning the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No one has to prove fault or wrongdoing.
The process starts when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution along with a Summons at the Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk's office. The other spouse must be served with the documents. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can file an agreed decree together. Contested cases may go through mediation or proceed to a hearing before a judge issues the final Decree of Dissolution.
Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and the other spouse is served before the court can finalize a dissolution. This minimum wait applies even in fully agreed cases. The waiting period starts from the date of service, not the date you file the petition. Plan your timeline accordingly.
If children are involved, Pierce County requires parents to attend a parenting seminar. Snohomish County has similar requirements. Check with the clerk's office for current requirements when you file.
Edmonds Divorce Record Fees
Filing a dissolution petition at Snohomish County Superior Court costs approximately $364. This covers the statutory filing fee plus various court surcharges. Fees can change, so verify the exact amount with the clerk before you file. You can request a fee waiver if you qualify based on income or public assistance status.
Copy fees for existing divorce decree records:
- Non-certified copies: $0.50 per page in person
- Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
- Certification fee: additional $5.00
If you need a certified copy of a decree for legal purposes such as a name change, remarriage, or estate matter, call the clerk at (425) 388-3466 to ask about the fastest way to get it. In some cases, you can get the copy the same day you visit the office. Mail requests typically take longer and require a prepaid envelope or payment for postage.
Legal Resources for Edmonds Residents
Edmonds residents looking for legal help with a dissolution case have several options. Volunteer Services of Snohomish County offers legal assistance and can be reached at (425) 252-4800. They provide referrals and some direct services to qualifying residents. This is a good first call if you are unsure where to start.
Northwest Justice Project provides free legal help to low-income residents across Washington State. Their statewide CLEAR hotline is (888) 201-1014. You can also reach them online at nwjustice.org. They handle family law cases and can assist with dissolution paperwork, especially for uncontested cases.
WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org offers free self-help guides in multiple languages. The Washington State Bar Association maintains a statewide directory of licensed attorneys at wsba.org. All official court forms are available for free at courts.wa.gov/forms.
The Snohomish County Law Library is located in the courthouse building in Everett and is open to the public. Staff there can help you find legal materials, though they cannot give legal advice. It is a useful resource for self-represented parties who want to review statutes or read through court procedures.
Property and Children in Edmonds Divorces
Washington is a community property state. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides community property and community debts equitably, which generally means an equal split. Separate property each spouse owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance stays with that person. The court has discretion to adjust the division based on the circumstances of the case.
When children are part of a dissolution case, Washington requires a parenting plan that sets out the residential schedule and decision-making arrangements. Child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19 using both parents' income and a standard worksheet. The Snohomish County Family Law Facilitator can help self-represented parties understand these calculations and review their completed forms. The facilitator cannot give legal advice but can help you make sure the paperwork is in order.
Note: If your dissolution involves real estate in Edmonds, the final decree and any related property transfer documents also need to be recorded with the Snohomish County Auditor's office.
Snohomish County Divorce Records
Edmonds is in Snohomish County, and all dissolution filings for Edmonds residents go through the Snohomish County Superior Court. The county court handles cases for Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, and dozens of other communities throughout the county. For more information about the county court system and records access, visit the Snohomish County dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Edmonds also file dissolution cases through their county court systems.