Kent Divorce Decree Access
Kent divorce decree records are handled by the King County Superior Court Clerk. Kent is the fourth-largest city in King County with about 135,000 residents, and all dissolution filings for Kent residents go through the King County court system. You can search dissolution cases online through the King County eCourt portal, and the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent itself handles some King County Superior Court matters. Kent Municipal Court handles only misdemeanors and does not process any divorce or family law cases. The Family Law Facilitator at the King County Courthouse assists self-represented parties with their filings.
Kent Overview
Where Kent Divorce Decrees Are Filed
Kent residents file dissolution petitions at the King County Superior Court. The main courthouse is in downtown Seattle at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. The phone is (206) 296-9300. However, Kent is also home to the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center at 401 Fourth Avenue North in Kent, which handles many King County Superior Court cases for south King County residents. This facility may be more convenient for Kent residents than driving to Seattle.
Call (206) 477-1760 to reach the Regional Justice Center in Kent. The clerk's office there at Room 2C handles records requests and filings. For routine dissolution cases in the south King County area, this location often handles the matter without requiring a trip to Seattle. When you call, specify your city of residence and case type to confirm which location is best for you.
| Main Courthouse | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 |
|---|---|
| Regional Justice Center | Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 Fourth Avenue N, Room 2C, Kent, WA 98032 |
| Phone (Seattle) | (206) 296-9300 |
| Phone (Kent RJC) | (206) 477-1760 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
Kent Municipal Court handles only misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and civil infractions for Kent residents. Do not contact Kent Municipal Court for divorce records. All dissolution cases go through King County Superior Court.
The Washington Courts website provides case search access and free court forms for Kent residents handling dissolution matters through King County Superior Court.
All official dissolution forms including the petition, summons, parenting plan, and financial declaration are available free at the Washington Courts site.
How to Search Kent Divorce Decree Records
King County Superior Court offers online case access through the KC Script portal at kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk.aspx. You can search by party name, case number, or case type. The portal shows party names, case status, filing dates, and docket activity. Full document access and certified copies require contacting the clerk's office or visiting in person.
The statewide Washington Courts case search covers multiple counties. It can confirm whether a King County dissolution record exists in the system. For older cases, the King County Archives at 1215 East Fir St. in Seattle holds microfilm records going back to 1854. You can also search historical Washington State records at digitalarchives.wa.gov.
For in-person searches at the Kent Regional Justice Center, bring the names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. Certified copies can often be produced the same day for cases filed in the digital record period. Older cases may need more time.
Note: Financial declarations filed in dissolution cases are sealed from public view in Washington State. If you request case documents, certain financial records may not be included in what is released without a specific court order.
Kent Divorce Decree Filing Process
Dissolution cases in Kent follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a pure no-fault state. 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 qualifies. There is no required length of county residency before you can file.
The process starts with filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the King County Superior Court Clerk. The other spouse must be served. Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period from service before the court can issue a final Decree of Dissolution. If both spouses agree on all terms, the case can be resolved at the end of that waiting period with a straightforward agreed decree submission. Contested cases may require mediation or a hearing before the judge signs the final decree.
Each document filed with the court becomes part of the permanent case record. Once the Decree of Dissolution is entered, it is a public record. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are required for many legal purposes after the case closes. Keeping at least two certified copies is generally a good idea.
King County requires both parents to attend a parenting seminar when children are involved. This must be completed before the dissolution is finalized. Ask the clerk for a list of approved seminar providers when you file.
Kent Family Law Facilitator and Self-Help
The King County Family Law Facilitator is at Room W-291 in the King County Courthouse in Seattle. The phone is (206) 263-3542. Walk-in help is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM to noon and 1 PM to 4 PM. You can also schedule an appointment online or by email at facilitators@kingcounty.gov. The facilitator reviews forms and explains procedures. Sessions cost $30 with sliding scale options. They cannot give legal advice but can help make sure your paperwork is correct before you file.
The King County Law Library at Room W621 in the Seattle courthouse has legal research materials, form packets, and public computers. The phone is (206) 235-7235. Volunteer attorneys hold a Family Law Forms Drafting Lab on certain Tuesdays to help self-represented parties with specific form questions. No legal advice is given, but the drafting lab is a useful resource for anyone handling their own case.
Northwest Justice Project at (888) 201-1014 provides free legal help for qualifying low-income Kent residents. Visit them at nwjustice.org. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free step-by-step guides for dissolution cases. All court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. Attorney referrals are at wsba.org.
Kent Divorce Filing and Copy Fees
Filing a dissolution petition at King County Superior Court costs approximately $364. This covers the statutory fee and required surcharges. Fee waivers are available based on financial hardship. Waiver forms are at the courthouse or at courts.wa.gov/forms. You must show that you receive public benefits or that your household income falls below the qualifying threshold.
Copy fees for existing dissolution records:
- Non-certified copies (online portal): $0.25 per page
- Non-certified copies (in-person): $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page
- Expedited processing: $30.00 for one business day turnaround
The Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent can process records requests the same way the Seattle courthouse can. If you are in Kent, starting with the local facility saves time. Call ahead to confirm what to bring and whether the specific record you need is available at the Kent location.
Property and Children in Kent Divorces
Washington divides community property equitably under RCW 26.09.080. Community property includes what both spouses acquired during the marriage. Property you owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is separate and stays with you. The court considers each case's specific circumstances when deciding the final split.
If children are involved, you need a parenting plan and child support order. Child support is set using the guidelines under RCW Chapter 26.19. The calculation uses both parents' incomes. King County's Early Resolution Case Management program can help parents work out an agreement faster than going through a full contested process. If parents cannot agree, the court decides. Both parents must complete a parenting seminar before the decree is entered.
King County Divorce Records
Kent is in King County, and all dissolution filings for Kent residents go through King County Superior Court. The Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent serves south King County residents directly. For more information on the countywide system, case search portals, and resources, visit the King County dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Kent also file dissolution cases through King County Superior Court.