Maple Valley Divorce Decree Search
Maple Valley divorce decree records are filed and stored at the King County Superior Court Clerk's office in Seattle. Maple Valley is a suburban city in southeast King County, located in the foothills area, with a population of roughly 28,000. There is no local Superior Court in Maple Valley. All dissolution cases for Maple Valley residents go through King County Superior Court in downtown Seattle. If you need to search for a case, get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, or look into an active filing, King County Superior Court is your source. The county uses the eCourt public access portal for online case searches.
Maple Valley Overview
Where Maple Valley Residents File for Divorce
All dissolution cases for Maple Valley residents are filed at King County Superior Court in Seattle. There is no family law courthouse in Maple Valley or nearby that handles dissolution cases. King County Superior Court is the only court with jurisdiction. The courthouse is at 516 Third Avenue in Seattle, roughly 25 miles northwest of Maple Valley by road.
The King County Courthouse is located near Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle. Paid parking is available in nearby garages. Multiple bus routes and light rail lines serve the area. Plan for travel time if you are coming from southeast King County. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (206) 296-9300 with questions before your visit.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
The Family Law Facilitator at King County is available in Room W-291 of the courthouse. Call (206) 263-3542 to reach the facilitator. They help self-represented parties understand the process, review forms, and identify what documents they need to file. The facilitator does not provide legal advice, but it is a practical resource for first-time filers from Maple Valley.
How to Search Maple Valley Divorce Records
King County uses its eCourt public access portal for online case searches. The portal is at kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk. You can search by party name, case number, or case type. The system returns case status, party names, key hearing dates, and a full docket list showing every document filed in the case. King County eCourt is generally more detailed and current than the statewide search tool for cases filed in this county.
You can also use the Washington Courts statewide case search tool if you are not sure which county handled a case. For Maple Valley cases, King County will always be the right county since Maple Valley is entirely within King County boundaries. If a case does not appear in the online system, call the clerk directly at (206) 296-9300 to check for older records or restricted filings.
For complete case documents or certified copies, you must visit the courthouse in person or submit a written request by mail. Certified copies of a dissolution decree cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. In-person requests can be processed the same day in most cases. Mail requests take longer and require a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment.
Note: King County eCourt displays public case information. Sealed records and cases subject to court-ordered restrictions will not appear in standard public searches.
The City of Maple Valley website provides information on city services, permits, and local programs, but does not hold dissolution records.
Dissolution records for Maple Valley residents are kept exclusively at King County Superior Court. The city government has no role in family law filings or case records.
Maple Valley Divorce Filing Process
Washington dissolution law is found in 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 in the state at the time of filing. There is no minimum residency period in the county. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault does not factor into the process.
The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons at King County Superior Court. The other spouse must be served or sign a Joinder. After service, a 90-day waiting period starts. Both parties exchange financial declarations during this time and work toward settlement on property, debts, and any parenting plan. If both agree on all issues, they may submit agreed documents and finalize without a court hearing. Contested cases go to mediation or trial before a judge enters the Decree of Dissolution.
Community property rules apply to Maple Valley cases. Under RCW 26.09.080, assets and debts acquired during the marriage are treated as jointly owned and divided equitably. Separate property stays with the original owner. Disputes about what is separate versus community property can get complicated, especially in long marriages with mixed assets or jointly used accounts.
Washington requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served before any Maple Valley dissolution can be finalized at King County Superior Court.
Maple Valley Divorce Fees and Costs
The dissolution filing fee at King County Superior Court is approximately $364. This includes the base filing fee and required statutory surcharges. Confirm the current amount before you file, as fees can change. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income or public assistance status.
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
- Mediation services: varies by provider
To request a fee waiver, file a motion and declaration showing financial hardship. Qualifying criteria include receipt of public assistance or household income below 200% of the federal poverty level. Fee waiver forms are available at the courthouse and at courts.wa.gov/forms.
Legal Help for Maple Valley Divorce Cases
The King County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association also offers a statewide referral service at (206) 443-9722, and you can search their directory at wsba.org. Northwest Justice Project handles family law cases for low-income residents. Their statewide intake number is (888) 201-1014 and their website is nwjustice.org.
All official court forms are available free at courts.wa.gov/forms. WashingtonLawHelp.org provides plain-language guides for self-represented filers. If you need a state-issued dissolution certificate rather than a court copy, contact the Department of Health at doh.wa.gov/VitalRecords. Older case records may be accessible through the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov.
King County Divorce Records
Maple Valley is in King County, and all dissolution filings for Maple Valley residents go through King County Superior Court. The county handles cases for Maple Valley and dozens of surrounding communities. For more on county-level procedures, fees, and resources, visit the King County dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Maple Valley also file dissolution cases through Washington Superior Courts.