Find Divorce Decree Records in Pullman
Pullman divorce decree records are filed and maintained at Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax, which is the county seat roughly 27 miles north of Pullman. The city itself has no family court, so all dissolution cases for Pullman residents go through the Whitman County clerk. You can search for Pullman divorce decree cases online using the statewide Odyssey portal or visit the courthouse in Colfax in person. This page explains how to find those records, how to get certified copies, and where to find legal help in the area.
Pullman Overview
Where Pullman Residents File for Divorce
Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, but the county seat is Colfax. That means the Superior Court, which has jurisdiction over all dissolution cases, is located in Colfax rather than Pullman. If you live in Pullman and need to file for dissolution or pick up divorce records, you will need to make the drive to Colfax or handle the process by mail.
The Whitman County District Court has a branch office in Pullman at 325 SE Paradise Street, but that court only handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims. It does not have jurisdiction over dissolution cases. Family law matters are strictly a Superior Court function, and that means Colfax.
| Office | Whitman County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 N Main Street Colfax, WA 99111 |
| Phone | (509) 397-6240 |
| Juvenile/Family Division | (509) 397-5300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | whitmancounty.org/departments/clerk |
If you cannot travel to Colfax, you can mail a written records request to the clerk's office at PO Box 390, Colfax, WA 99111. Include a cashier's check or money order for copy fees, the names of both parties, an approximate filing year, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.
The City of Pullman's official website covers city services and local government but does not hold dissolution records. Those are maintained at the county level in Colfax.
Pullman residents must contact Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax for all dissolution filings, case records, and certified copies of divorce decrees.
Searching Pullman Divorce Decree Records Online
Whitman County uses the statewide Odyssey case management system. You can access it at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov to search for cases by party name or case number. The portal covers cases from roughly 1990 forward and shows party names, docket entries, and current case status. Some documents can be viewed and printed directly from the portal at no charge.
You can also use the Washington Courts case search tool at dw.courts.wa.gov to run a statewide name search. This is helpful if you are not sure which county a case was filed in. For historical records predating 1968, the Washington State Digital Archives has index information available for free.
In-person searches are available at the clerk's office in Colfax. Staff can look up cases by party name and pull files. If you need a certified copy of a decree, plan for the standard copy fees. The clerk can usually produce copies the same day for in-person requests.
Note: The Whitman County District Court branch in Pullman does not hold dissolution records and cannot process divorce decree requests. Contact the Superior Court Clerk in Colfax directly.
Pullman Divorce Records and WSU Students
Washington State University brings tens of thousands of students to Pullman, which inflates the city's population considerably. Students sometimes ask whether they can file for dissolution in Whitman County while attending school here.
Under RCW 26.09.030, either spouse must be a resident of Washington or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state at the time of filing. There is no county residency requirement and no minimum length of time you need to have lived in the county. So a Washington resident who is enrolled at WSU and lives in Pullman can generally file in Whitman County. However, if you are from another state and attending school here on a student visa or as a non-resident, you may need to file in your home state instead.
If you are a student who needs legal help, WSU's main law program is based in Spokane, but the university can provide referrals to legal services in the area. Northwest Justice Project at (888) 201-1014 serves Whitman County residents. Whitman County has limited legal aid resources compared to larger metro areas, so it is worth calling early if you need assistance.
Dissolution Filing Process for Pullman Residents
The process follows RCW Chapter 26.09. You start with a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. Those documents get filed with the Whitman County Superior Court Clerk in Colfax. The filing fee is around $364. The clerk assigns a case number and the case opens.
After the petition is filed, the other spouse must be served with a copy of the petition and summons. They have 20 days to respond if served in Washington, or 60 days if served out of state. Once served, Washington's mandatory 90-day waiting period begins before the dissolution can be finalized. If both parties agree on all terms, an agreed decree can be submitted and the judge can sign it after the waiting period.
If your case involves children, a Parenting Plan is required and both parents must attend a mandatory parenting seminar. Child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19 using the Washington State Child Support Schedule.
All official court forms are free on the Washington Courts website. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has plain-language guides for completing each form and step in the process.
Legal Resources Near Pullman
Whitman County is a rural county with fewer legal aid options than larger urban areas. But several resources can still help Pullman residents with dissolution cases.
Northwest Justice Project serves rural Washington counties including Whitman. You can reach them at (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. They handle family law cases for qualifying low-income residents. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides covering every step of the dissolution process.
The Washington State Bar Association can refer you to a private family law attorney in the Pullman or Spokane area. Search the directory at wsba.org or call (206) 443-9722. Spokane, which is about 75 miles west, has a larger pool of family law attorneys and may offer better options for contested cases.
Whitman County Divorce Records
Pullman is in Whitman County, and all dissolution filings go through the Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax. The county page has full details on the clerk's office, search tools, and procedures for obtaining records.
Nearby Cities
These cities are the nearest qualifying communities to Pullman. Both are in Spokane County and file dissolution cases through a different court system.