Kennewick Divorce Decree Records

Kennewick divorce decree records are maintained by the Benton County Superior Court Clerk. Kennewick is the largest city in Benton County and part of the Tri-Cities area in southeastern Washington. All dissolution cases for Kennewick residents go through the Benton County court system. The Benton County Clerk's office is located in Kennewick at 7122 W. Okanogan Place. You can search and request dissolution records online through the Benton County public records portal at bentonclerkpr.com, or through the Washington Courts Odyssey portal. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.

Kennewick Divorce Decree Filing Location

Kennewick residents file dissolution petitions at the Benton County Clerk's office. The address is 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A130, Kennewick, WA 99336. The phone is (509) 736-3071. Benton County Superior Court is also located in Kennewick at 7320 West Quinault Avenue. Both offices are in the same general area of Kennewick, making it straightforward to handle filing and record requests in person.

Kennewick Municipal Court handles only misdemeanors and city ordinance violations. The Benton County District Court at 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A110 handles misdemeanors and civil cases up to $100,000. Neither handles divorces. All dissolution matters go through Benton County Superior Court.

Note: Kennewick is the largest city in Benton County, but the official county seat is Prosser. Court and clerk functions for dissolution cases are conducted in Kennewick at the address above, which is convenient for most Benton County residents.

The Kennewick City Website provides city government information and local services, though dissolution records are maintained by the Benton County Clerk, not the city.

City of Kennewick services cover municipal permits, licenses, and local programs. For dissolution records, contact the Benton County Clerk at (509) 736-3071.

The Benton County Government website provides access to county departments, court information, and public records resources for Kennewick residents.

Benton County's official site connects to the clerk's office, court calendar, and the public records portal for dissolution case searches.

Searching Kennewick Divorce Records Online

Benton County has its own public records portal at bentonclerkpr.com. This portal allows online searching and requests for court records including dissolution cases. Payment is accepted by credit or debit card, though a convenience fee applies. This is a convenient way to request certified copies without visiting the office in person.

The Washington Courts Odyssey portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is another option. It provides free basic case information including party names, filing dates, case type, and status. The Odyssey portal does not give access to full documents, but it confirms whether a case exists and provides a case number for follow-up requests.

For historical Kennewick dissolution records, the Washington State Archives Central Region holds Benton County records at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. The phone is (509) 963-2136. Benton County divorce records date back to 1905. Records filed prior to 1979 were part of Civil Cases and require a specific inquiry to locate.

The Benton County Public Records Portal allows online requests for dissolution records and accepts credit card payments for Kennewick residents who want to avoid an in-person visit.

The portal is a direct way for Kennewick residents to search and request dissolution records from Benton County without traveling to the clerk's office.

Filing for Divorce in Kennewick

Kennewick dissolution cases follow Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground required is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident at the time of filing. Active duty military stationed in Washington also meet this requirement.

To begin, you file a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons with the Benton County Clerk. The other spouse must be served. Washington requires a 90-day waiting period from the date of service before the court can finalize the dissolution. If both spouses agree on all terms, the case resolves quickly after the waiting period. Contested cases go through hearings or mediation before the judge enters a final Decree of Dissolution.

Kennewick is part of the Tri-Cities area along with Richland and Pasco. Richland residents file in Benton County as well. Pasco residents live in Franklin County and file at Franklin County Superior Court. Do not confuse the counties. Confirm your county before filing. The Benton-Franklin county line runs through the middle of the metro area.

Kennewick Divorce Decree Copy and Filing Fees

The dissolution filing fee at Benton County Superior Court is approximately $364. Verify the exact current amount with the clerk's office at (509) 736-3071 before filing. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a waiver. Forms are available at the courthouse or at courts.wa.gov/forms.

Fees for existing dissolution record copies:

• Certified copies: $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page
• Online portal requests via bentonclerkpr.com: vary by document, plus convenience fee
• In-person copies: standard copy fee per page

The Benton County public records portal accepts credit and debit cards. Convenience fees apply to card payments. If you want to avoid the convenience fee, pay by check or cash in person at the clerk's office. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods before visiting.

Legal Help for Kennewick Residents

Columbia Legal Services serves the Tri-Cities area including Kennewick. They provide free or low-cost legal assistance for qualifying low-income individuals. Call their main line or check their website for current services and eligibility. Northwest Justice Project at (888) 201-1014 is another statewide resource for free legal help in family law matters. Find them at nwjustice.org.

WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free step-by-step dissolution guides. The Washington State Bar Association's attorney directory is at wsba.org. All official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms.

If you need a dissolution certificate for vital records purposes rather than a certified court decree copy, the Washington State Department of Health handles those at doh.wa.gov. This is a summary document separate from the full court decree. Know which one you need before you request it, as they serve different purposes.

Property and Children in Kennewick Divorces

Washington is a community property state. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides community property and debts equitably between spouses. Community property is what spouses acquired during the marriage. Property owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is treated as separate. The court adjusts the division based on each case's facts.

Cases with children require a parenting plan and child support order. Child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19 using both parents' incomes. If your case has children, you must complete a parenting plan before the court can finalize the decree. Kennewick's proximity to the Tri-Cities metro area means some families have income sources in both Benton and Franklin counties, which the court takes into account in support calculations.

Benton County Divorce Records

Kennewick is the largest city in Benton County, and all dissolution filings for Kennewick residents go through Benton County Superior Court. For more information about the county court system, the public records portal, and countywide resources, visit the Benton County dissolution records page.

View Benton County Divorce Records

Nearby Cities

These Tri-Cities area cities also handle dissolution cases through their respective county courts.