Graham Divorce Decree Records
Graham divorce decree records are maintained by the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk in Tacoma. Graham is a census-designated place in southeastern Pierce County, which means it has no incorporated city government or municipal court. All dissolution filings for Graham residents go through Pierce County. You can search for cases from 1991 forward using the Pierce County LINX online system, and in-person requests are handled at the courthouse on Tacoma Avenue South. The Family Court Resource Center at the courthouse helps self-represented parties navigate the process.
Graham Overview
Where Graham Residents File Divorce Decrees
Graham has no municipal court because it is an unincorporated community. All court business for Graham residents goes through Pierce County. Dissolution cases file at the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk's office in Tacoma. The office is at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110. From Graham, the drive is about 20 to 25 minutes north via SR-161 or Highway 7 toward Tacoma.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday. It handles everything from filing new petitions to providing certified copies of final decrees. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Mail requests are also accepted. Call (253) 798-7455 before mailing anything to confirm what to include and how to pay.
| Office | Pierce County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 930 Tacoma Avenue S, Room 110 Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| Phone | (253) 798-7455 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | piercecountywa.gov/161/Clerk |
The Pierce County Government website at piercecountywa.gov has current information on fees, office closures, and how to request records online.
The Washington Courts website provides case search access and official court forms for Pierce County dissolution cases including those filed by Graham residents.
Statewide court resources and form packets for dissolution cases are available through the Washington Courts site and apply directly to Pierce County filings.
How to Search Graham Divorce Records
Pierce County's LINX system is the online portal for dissolution case searches. Access it at the Pierce County court records page at piercecountywa.gov/829/Search-Court-Records. LINX covers cases from 1991 to present. You can search by party name or cause number. The system shows case type, party names, filing date, hearing dates, and case status. There is no charge for basic searches.
For cases filed before 1991, you need to contact the clerk's office directly. Those records are not in the digital system. You may need to fill out a Scan Document Request Form. The clerk can tell you what is available and how to request it. Very old records may have been transferred to the Washington State Archives Puget Sound Regional Branch in Bellevue, which holds historical Pierce County records going back to the 1880s.
For marriage and divorce certificate information, the Washington State Department of Health handles vital records at doh.wa.gov. DOH certificates are summary documents used for vital records purposes and are different from the certified copy of the court decree itself.
Graham Dissolution Filing Process
Washington dissolution law is in RCW Chapter 26.09. The state is no-fault. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. Under RCW 26.09.030, you must be a Washington resident at the time of filing. There is no county residency waiting period. The only ground needed is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
The process starts when you file a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk. Your spouse must be served. Washington requires a 90-day minimum waiting period after service before the court enters a final Decree of Dissolution. If both spouses agree, an agreed decree can be submitted at the end of that 90-day window. Contested cases take longer. They may go to mediation or require a hearing before the judge signs the decree.
Once the decree is entered, it becomes a public record. Certified copies are available from the clerk. If any property transfers are needed as part of the settlement, such as a home in Graham, the related documents must also be recorded with the Pierce County Auditor.
Note: Pierce County has a Mandatory Settlement Conference requirement before trial in contested dissolution cases. Ask the clerk about this requirement when you file.
Legal Resources for Graham Residents
The Pierce County Family Court Resource Center is on the first floor of the courthouse at 930 Tacoma Avenue South. Phone is (253) 798-3627. This office provides help for self-represented parties. Staff can explain procedures, help you find the right forms, and clarify what the court needs. They do not give legal advice, but they make the process less confusing for people who have not been through it before.
The Pierce County Law Library is in the same building at Room 100. Phone is (253) 798-3250. It has legal research databases, form packets, and public computers. This is a good place to review the statutes, look up court rules, and understand what documentation you need for your case. Volunteer attorneys sometimes hold sessions there for brief consultations.
TacomaProBono at (253) 572-5134 provides free civil legal services for low-income Pierce County residents. Northwest Justice Project at (888) 201-1014 serves Graham residents and handles family law cases for people who qualify. Find them at nwjustice.org. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free guides. All court forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. Attorney referrals are at wsba.org.
Graham Divorce Filing Fees and Copy Costs
The filing fee for a dissolution petition at Pierce County Superior Court is about $364. Verify the current amount with the clerk before you file. If you cannot pay, you can ask for a fee waiver. The waiver form is available at the courthouse or on the Washington Courts website. You need to show financial hardship or that you receive public assistance to qualify.
For copies of dissolution decree records:
- Online LINX copies: $0.25 per page
- In-person copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page
- Mail requests: approximately 7 working days
Certified copies are needed for remarriage, estate matters, and some name change situations. If you just need personal reference, a non-certified copy costs less. Order certified copies while you are at the courthouse if possible, since in-person requests are generally processed the same day for post-1991 cases.
Property and Children in Graham Divorces
Washington divides community property equitably under RCW 26.09.080. Community property is what spouses built together during the marriage. Separate property belongs to the individual who owned it before the marriage or received it as a gift or inheritance. The court can adjust the division if there is a justification, such as a large disparity in financial circumstances.
If children are part of the case, a parenting plan is required. The plan sets the residential schedule and decision-making arrangements. Child support follows the state guidelines under RCW Chapter 26.19 and uses both parents' incomes. Pierce County requires parents to attend an Impact on Children seminar before the decree can be entered. Family Court Services at (253) 798-3654 handles parenting evaluations when courts need an independent assessment of custody arrangements.
Pierce County Divorce Records
Graham is in Pierce County, and all dissolution filings for Graham residents go through Pierce County Superior Court. For full details on the court system, LINX search access, office contacts, and countywide resources, visit the Pierce County dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Pierce County communities also handle dissolution cases through Pierce County Superior Court.