Pasco Divorce Decree Records
Pasco residents looking for a divorce decree or dissolution case file will find those records at the Franklin County Superior Court Clerk's office. Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County, which means the courthouse is right in the city. You can search for Pasco divorce decree cases online through the statewide Odyssey portal or visit the clerk in person at 1016 North 4th Avenue. The clerk's office handles all dissolution filings, certified copies, and records requests for Franklin County. Whether you need to confirm a case exists or get a full certified copy of the final decree, this is the office that can help.
Pasco Overview
Where to File for Divorce in Pasco
Because Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County, the Superior Court is located right here in the city. This is a convenience most Washington cities don't have. You don't need to drive to a neighboring city to file or pick up records. The Franklin County Superior Court Clerk handles all dissolution filings for county residents.
Franklin County is part of the Tri-Cities metro area, which also includes Kennewick and Richland. Those cities are in Benton County, not Franklin County. If you live in Pasco, you file at Franklin County Superior Court. If your address is in Kennewick or Richland, you would file at Benton County Superior Court instead. It matters where you live, not just what part of the metro area you are in.
| Office | Franklin County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1016 North 4th Avenue Pasco, WA 99301 |
| Phone | (509) 545-3525 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.franklin.wa.us/Superior-Court |
The clerk's office is in the main Franklin County government building in downtown Pasco. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Staff can pull records by name or case number. If your case predates 1983, there is a $30 research fee because older files are not fully digitized.
The City of Pasco's official website provides city government information, but divorce records themselves are maintained by the county court clerk, not city hall.
Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County, which means the Superior Court that handles all dissolution cases is located right in the city at 1016 North 4th Avenue.
How to Search Pasco Divorce Decree Cases
Franklin County uses the statewide Odyssey case management system. You can access it at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov and search by party name or case number. The portal shows party names, docket entries, case status, and filed documents for cases from roughly 1990 onward. Some documents are available to view and print directly from the portal.
To run a name search, you need at least one full party name and an approximate year. Search using just the last name first to get broader results. The case type to select is "Domestic" or "Family Law" when filtering. If you find the case you are looking for, you can note the case number and use it to request a certified copy from the clerk.
You can also use the statewide Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov. This tool searches across all counties and is useful if you are not sure which county the case was filed in. For historical records from before 1968, the Washington State Digital Archives has indexes available online.
The Franklin County Auditor also maintains some online divorce decree records. For cases 1983 and older, a $30 search fee applies because staff must pull physical files manually.
Pasco Divorce Filing Process
Dissolution in Washington follows RCW Chapter 26.09. You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons with the Franklin County Superior Court. The clerk stamps and files the papers, assigns a case number, and the case is officially open. If there are children, a proposed Parenting Plan must be filed at the same time or shortly after.
Washington is a no-fault state. Under RCW 26.09.030, you only need to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not have to prove fault or wrongdoing by either party. Either spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed here at the time of filing.
After the petition is filed and the other spouse is served, Washington requires a 90-day waiting period before the court can finalize the dissolution. If both spouses agree on all terms including property, debts, and any parenting issues, they can submit an agreed decree and move through the process faster. Contested cases take longer and may go to mediation or trial before the judge signs the final decree.
Franklin County requires a mandatory parenting seminar for cases involving minor children. The seminar must be completed before the judge will sign the final decree. Check with the clerk's office for the current list of approved providers and fees.
Note: Franklin County uses the Odyssey portal for online case access. Payment for mail requests must be by cashier's check or money order. Personal checks are not accepted for mail-in record requests.
Pasco Divorce Decree Fees
Filing fees at Franklin County Superior Court are around $364 for a standard dissolution petition. This amount includes state surcharges for court operations and technology. Fees can change, so call the clerk at (509) 545-3525 to confirm the current amount before you go in to file.
For certified copies of the divorce decree, the fee is $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified paper copies cost $0.50 per page. If you want copies sent by email, that rate drops to $0.25 per page. Rush processing is available for an extra $30 fee and gets your request done in one business day instead of the standard seven.
Fee waivers are available. If you receive public assistance or your household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level, you can request the court waive the filing fee. You will need to fill out a declaration explaining your financial situation. Forms are on the Washington Courts website.
Legal Help for Pasco Divorce Cases
The Tri-Cities area has several legal aid and self-help resources for people handling dissolution cases. Columbia Legal Services operates in the region and can help low-income residents. Northwest Justice Project at (888) 201-1014 also serves Franklin County. Their website at nwjustice.org has income eligibility details and a list of services.
WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has step-by-step guides for filing dissolution cases without an attorney. All official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. You can download the full set of dissolution forms including the petition, summons, parenting plan, financial declaration, and agreed decree templates.
Pasco has a large Spanish-speaking population, and the Franklin County courthouse may have Spanish-language staff or resources available. Call the clerk's office at (509) 545-3525 to ask about language access before your visit. The Washington State Bar Association lawyer referral service is at wsba.org if you need to find a private family law attorney in the area.
If your case involves child support, the amounts are calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19 using both parents' income and the residential schedule. The court must approve any child support order before the decree is final.
Pasco Divorce Certificates vs. Decrees
There are two different documents people often confuse. The divorce decree (or Decree of Dissolution) is the full court order signed by the judge. It contains all the terms of the case including property, support, and parenting. This comes from the Franklin County Superior Court Clerk.
A divorce certificate is a shorter summary document issued by the Washington State Department of Health. It shows that a dissolution occurred but does not include case details. The DOH maintains certificates from 1968 onward at its office in Olympia. The fee for a certified certificate from DOH is $25. Visit doh.wa.gov for current procedures and request forms.
Most legal and financial uses, like changing a name on a passport or dividing a retirement account, require the full decree from the court clerk rather than the DOH certificate. Ask the requesting agency which document they need before you order.
Note: The Benton-Franklin Health District at 7102 W Okanogan Place in Kennewick handles some vital statistics for the area but does NOT issue divorce decrees. Those come only from the court clerk.
Franklin County Divorce Records
Pasco is in Franklin County, and all dissolution filings go through the Franklin County Superior Court. The county court page has more details on the clerk's office, search tools, and records procedures for the whole county.
Nearby Cities
These cities are part of the Tri-Cities metro area. Kennewick and Richland file dissolution cases at Benton County Superior Court, while Pasco files at Franklin County.