Longview Divorce Decree Lookup
Longview divorce decree records are held at the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk's office in Kelso. Longview is the largest city in Cowlitz County, located along the Columbia River near the Oregon border with about 41,000 residents. All dissolution cases for Longview residents are filed in Kelso, the county seat, not in Longview itself. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, or check the status of a case, the Cowlitz County Courthouse in Kelso is where you go. The court uses the Odyssey portal for public case searches.
Longview Overview
Where Longview Residents File for Divorce
All dissolution cases for Longview residents are filed at Cowlitz County Superior Court. The courthouse is in Kelso, the county seat, located about 3 miles from downtown Longview. This is an important detail for Longview residents to know. There is no Superior Court facility in Longview itself. You must travel to the Cowlitz County Hall of Justice in Kelso for all family law filings and records requests.
The Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The mailing address is 312 SW 1st Avenue, Kelso, WA 98626. The phone number for the clerk is (360) 577-3016. Parking is available near the courthouse in Kelso. Bring a valid photo ID and your case information when visiting.
| Office | Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Hall of Justice 312 SW 1st Avenue Kelso, WA 98626 |
| Phone | (360) 577-3016 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.cowlitz.wa.us/Superior-Court-Clerk |
The clerk's office handles all case filings, provides certified copies, and answers questions about existing case records. If you are searching for an older case, bring the approximate filing year and the full names of both parties. That information speeds up the search considerably.
How to Search Longview Divorce Records Online
Cowlitz County uses the Washington State Odyssey portal for public case searches. The portal is at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. You can search by party name, case number, or filing type. Results show the names of both parties, key dates, case status, and a list of docket entries reflecting all filings in the case. The portal is free to use and accessible from any web browser.
The Odyssey portal covers many Washington counties, so if you are not certain which county handled a case, you can search statewide and filter results. For Longview cases, select Cowlitz County in the search options to narrow your results. If a case does not appear online, it may predate the Odyssey system or the records may be restricted. In either situation, call the clerk at (360) 577-3016 for help.
Certified copies of dissolution decrees cost $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page. Plain copies are cheaper. Mail requests require a written request with party names or case number, payment, and a return envelope. For in-person requests, visit the clerk during business hours with photo ID.
Note: Cowlitz County does not have a permanent family law facilitator. Self-represented parties should use the pro se resources available through the Washington Courts website and WashingtonLawHelp.org.
The City of Longview website covers city services, local news, and public programs but does not maintain dissolution records.
Dissolution records for Longview residents are held exclusively at the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso. City offices do not have access to court case files.
Longview Divorce Filing Process
Dissolution in Washington is governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the military stationed here at the time of filing. Washington is a no-fault state. The only required ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither spouse needs to prove fault or wrongdoing.
The petitioner starts the case by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons at the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk's office in Kelso. The other spouse must be formally served or sign a Joinder. After service, a mandatory 90-day waiting period begins. If both parties agree on property, debts, and any parenting arrangement, they can submit an agreed decree and finalize the case without a formal hearing. If the case is contested, mediation or a trial may be needed before a judge enters the final decree.
Community property principles under RCW 26.09.080 apply to assets and debts acquired during the marriage. The court divides them equitably. Separate property generally stays with the spouse who owns it, though disputes over what is separate and what is community property arise often in complex cases.
Longview is near the Oregon border, which sometimes raises questions about jurisdiction for couples with ties to both states. Washington courts apply Washington law to dissolution cases where at least one spouse is a Washington resident at the time of filing. If your situation is complex, consulting an attorney is a good idea before you file.
All Longview dissolution cases are subject to the 90-day waiting period required under Washington law after the petition is filed and the other party is served.
Longview Divorce Fees and Costs
The filing fee for a dissolution petition at Cowlitz County Superior Court is approximately $364. Fees include the base court filing fee and statutory surcharges. Confirm the current amount with the clerk before filing, as fees are subject to change. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income or public assistance.
Other expenses to plan for:
- Service by sheriff: approximately $40 to $60
- Private process server: typically $50 to $100
- Certified copy of the decree: $5 first page, $1 per additional page
- Parenting seminar (required if children are involved): $35 to $75
To request a filing fee waiver, file a motion and declaration showing financial need with the court. People who receive public assistance or whose household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. Fee waiver forms are available at the clerk's office and at courts.wa.gov/forms.
Legal Help for Longview Divorce Cases
Columbia River Legal Services serves the Longview and Cowlitz County area. They provide civil legal aid to low-income residents and handle family law matters. Contact them to ask about eligibility and available services. For statewide help, Northwest Justice Project handles family law cases across Washington. Their intake line is (888) 201-1014, and their website is nwjustice.org.
All official dissolution forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. WashingtonLawHelp.org has plain-language guides that walk you through each step of filing without an attorney. For private attorney referrals, the Washington State Bar Association directory at wsba.org lets you search by county and practice area. If you need a dissolution certificate from the state rather than a court copy, the Department of Health handles those at doh.wa.gov/VitalRecords.
Older Cowlitz County court records may also be available through the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov.
Cowlitz County Divorce Records
Longview is in Cowlitz County, and all dissolution filings for Longview residents go through Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso. The county handles all family law matters for Longview and every other community in Cowlitz County. For more on county procedures, fees, and resources, visit the Cowlitz County dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
This nearby city also files dissolution cases in Washington Superior Courts.