Olympia Divorce Decree Database
Olympia divorce decree records are kept at the Thurston County Superior Court Clerk in Olympia. Olympia is the state capital of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. The Thurston County Superior Court is located within the city, making it a local resource for Olympia residents seeking dissolution records. If you need to find a case, get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, or file a new petition, the clerk's office on Lakeridge Drive is where you go. The Odyssey portal handles online case searches, and in-person visits give you same-day access to digitized records.
Olympia Overview
Thurston County Superior Court in Olympia
All dissolution cases for Olympia and Thurston County residents file at the Thurston County Superior Court. The courthouse is in Olympia on Lakeridge Drive SW. As the county seat, Olympia hosts the courthouse for all of Thurston County's family law matters. The Clerk's office handles all case filings, document requests, and certified copies.
Olympia is Washington's state capital. That status means the city has additional legal infrastructure compared to most Washington cities. The Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Division II are both located in Olympia. This does not change where you file a dissolution case, but it does mean the city has a strong legal community and many attorneys familiar with family law.
| Office | Thurston County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2 Olympia, WA 98502 |
| Phone | (360) 786-5560 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.thurston.wa.us/clerk |
| SuperiorCourtRecords@co.thurston.wa.us |
The Thurston County courthouse complex is off Lakeridge Drive SW, southwest of downtown Olympia. Free parking is generally available on site. The Family/Juvenile Court at 2801 32nd Ave SW in Tumwater handles some juvenile and family-related matters but dissolution filings go to the main Lakeridge Drive courthouse.
The City of Olympia website provides local government resources and links to county services for Olympia residents who need help with dissolution filings or record searches.
Olympia is Washington's state capital and county seat of Thurston County. The Superior Court is located in the city, making it a local resource for residents seeking dissolution records or filing a new case.
Search Olympia Divorce Decree Records Online
Thurston County uses the statewide Odyssey portal for online case searches. Visit odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov and select Thurston County. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date range. Results show case type, party names, case status, and docket entries. Dissolution cases appear under family case types.
To find an Olympia dissolution case, you will need:
- Full last name and first name of at least one party
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Case number if you have it
Online searches give you basic case information at no charge. Getting actual documents costs extra. Standard in-person copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 each additional page. Electronic requests typically take three to five business days. Mail requests to the clerk take roughly two to three weeks. In-person visits for digitized cases can often be handled same day.
For email requests, send to SuperiorCourtRecords@co.thurston.wa.us. Include both parties' names, the approximate filing date, and a description of the documents you need. The clerk will confirm fees before processing.
Olympia Divorce Decree Filing Process
Olympia residents file for dissolution under RCW Chapter 26.09. At least one spouse must be a Washington resident at the time of filing per RCW 26.09.030. There is no minimum county residency requirement. Service members stationed in Washington also qualify.
Washington uses a no-fault standard. The sole legal ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is no need to prove misconduct, infidelity, or any specific act. One spouse's statement that the marriage cannot be repaired is legally sufficient. Courts do not assign blame. This approach is the same across all Washington counties including Thurston County.
The filing spouse submits a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the Lakeridge Drive courthouse. The other spouse is served or signs a Joinder. A 90-day waiting period then runs from the date of service. The court cannot finalize the dissolution before that period is up. An agreed decree, where both spouses agree on all issues, moves faster than a contested case. Contested matters may require mediation or hearings before a judge enters the final Decree of Dissolution.
Property acquired during the marriage is subject to community property division under RCW 26.09.080. Cases involving minor children require a parenting plan. Child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19, based on both parents' income and the custody arrangement.
Thurston County Superior Court's Law Library is located at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2. Call (360) 786-5146 for hours. The library is open to the public and holds Washington family law resources, court rules, and self-help materials.
Olympia Divorce Decree Fees
Thurston County charges approximately $364 to file a new dissolution petition. This amount covers required state surcharges. Confirm the exact current fee with the clerk before filing. Fees are subject to change by the legislature.
Other costs you may encounter:
- Standard copies: $0.50 per page in person
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document first page, $1.00 each additional page
- Research assistance (after the first free hour): $30.00 per hour
- Paper copies larger than standard size (11x17 or smaller): $0.15 per page
- CD copies: actual cost of digital media
- Postage for mailed copies: actual cost
Fee waivers are available under RCW 36.18.022 for individuals who cannot afford court costs. File GR 34 forms to request a waiver. Forms are available at the courthouse and at courts.wa.gov/forms. Anti-harassment matter filings have no charge for forms or filing fees.
Legal Help for Olympia Divorce Cases
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services provides free or reduced-cost legal assistance to qualifying residents. Call (360) 754-2444 to learn about their services and eligibility requirements. They handle family law matters including dissolution cases for those who qualify based on income.
Northwest Justice Project serves Thurston County and all of Washington State. Reach them at (888) 201-1014 or at nwjustice.org. They take family law cases for low-income clients and can sometimes provide full representation through the dissolution process.
Because Olympia is the state capital, several state legal organizations have offices here. The Washington State Bar Association's lawyer referral service is at (206) 443-9722. Their attorney directory at wsba.org lists family law attorneys by county. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has step-by-step guides for filing on your own.
All official dissolution forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. The site has every form the court requires, from the initial petition through the final decree. Many Olympia residents handle uncontested cases on their own using these forms and the self-help guides at WashingtonLawHelp.
Older Thurston County Dissolution Records
Older dissolution records from Thurston County may be at the clerk's office or at the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds records from many counties, typically covering 1968 to 1999. This database is free to search and is a good starting point for older cases.
For records that predate the digital system or that are not available online, contact the Thurston County Clerk at (360) 786-5560 or email SuperiorCourtRecords@co.thurston.wa.us. For historical records from before 1968, contact the clerk directly to ask about availability and access procedures.
Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov maintains statewide vital statistics including dissolution data, but actual decree documents are always held by the county clerk's office.
Thurston County Divorce Decree Records
Olympia is in Thurston County, and all dissolution filings go through Thurston County Superior Court. For more details about the county court system and resources available to Thurston County residents, visit the county dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
Lacey and Tumwater are the nearest qualifying cities. Both are in Thurston County and use the same Superior Court.