Access Renton Divorce Decree Records
Renton divorce decree records are filed at King County Superior Court in Seattle. Renton is one of King County's larger cities, sitting at the south end of Lake Washington. There is no family court inside city limits. All dissolution cases for Renton residents go through the King County court system, and the clerk's office in Seattle is where you get copies of the final decree. You can also search Renton divorce decree cases online through King County's eCourt system. This page walks through the full process for searching, filing, and obtaining records.
Renton Overview
Where to File Divorce in Renton
Renton Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic matters for the city. It has no authority over family law. Dissolution filings for Renton residents go to King County Superior Court. There are two courthouse locations that serve King County residents.
The main courthouse is in downtown Seattle. There is also the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, which is closer to Renton and may be more convenient for residents in the southern part of King County. Both locations are served by the same clerk's office phone number at (206) 296-9300.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Seattle Location | 516 Third Avenue, Room E-609 Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Kent Location | 401 Fourth Avenue North, Room 2C Kent, WA 98032 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
Renton sits near the King County and Pierce County boundary. Before you file, make sure you have the right county. If your address is in Renton, you are almost certainly in King County and file at King County Superior Court. But if you live near the southern edge of the city, verify your county with the clerk before submitting paperwork.
The City of Renton's official website covers city government, permits, and local services. Dissolution records are not held at city hall. They are maintained by King County Superior Court.
For dissolution filings and decree copies, Renton residents contact King County Superior Court, not the city clerk's office. The city clerk handles city records only.
Searching Renton Divorce Records Online
King County Superior Court has a case search tool at kingcounty.gov. Select Case Type 3 for Family and Domestic cases when searching for dissolution matters. You can search by party name, case number, filing date range, or party role. The system shows docket entries, party names, and current case status.
The King County Record Access Portal at kingcounty.gov lets you order documents online. Create a free account to view and download case documents. Non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page. Downloads stay available for 14 days after purchase. Certified copies ordered through the portal cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
The statewide Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov searches across all counties and is a good starting point if you are not sure which county a case was filed in. For older cases, pre-1979 microfilm records are held at the King County Clerk's office and must be reviewed in person at the downtown Seattle location.
Note: King County digital downloads are available for 14 days after purchase through the KC Records portal. Save or print your documents before the access period expires.
Renton Divorce Filings Near the County Line
Renton is one of the southernmost cities in King County, and it borders Pierce County to the south. Most of Renton is clearly within King County, so most residents file at King County Superior Court. But some addresses near the southern city limits may be closer to Pierce County communities.
The easiest way to confirm your county is to look up your address on the King County Assessor's website or check your property tax bill. Your county is listed there. If you are in King County, you file in Seattle or Kent. If somehow you are in Pierce County, you file at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. Filing in the wrong county will cause delays and require you to refile.
The good news is that neither court will make you pay twice if you discover the error before the case progresses. Call the clerk at (206) 296-9300 before filing to confirm your county if you have any doubt.
Renton Divorce Filing Process
All Washington dissolutions follow RCW Chapter 26.09. You file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons at King County Superior Court. Under RCW 26.09.030, you or your spouse must be a Washington resident at the time of filing. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
After filing, the other spouse is served. A mandatory 90-day waiting period begins. For agreed cases where both parties settle all issues, you can submit the agreed decree after the 90 days and ask the court to enter it. Contested cases may require mediation first, and unresolved issues can go to a judge for a hearing or trial.
If your case involves children, a Parenting Plan is required under state law. Both parents must attend a parenting seminar before the final decree can be entered. Child support is calculated using the state guidelines under RCW Chapter 26.19. Forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms.
Renton Divorce Decree Fees
Filing a dissolution petition at King County Superior Court costs approximately $364. Call (206) 296-9300 to confirm the current total before filing, as fees can change with state budget cycles.
Other costs you might expect include service of process by sheriff ($40-$60) or a private process server ($50-$100). Certified copies of the decree are $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page online or $0.50 per page when clerk-assisted. The parenting seminar required for cases with children typically runs $35 to $75 depending on the provider.
Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income residents. File a declaration of financial need with the court. If your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level or you receive public benefits, you generally qualify. Waiver forms are on the Washington Courts website.
Legal Help for Renton Divorce Cases
Northwest Justice Project serves King County and can help low-income residents with dissolution cases. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has step-by-step self-help guides for filing without an attorney.
The King County Family Law Facilitator is in Room W-291 at the Seattle courthouse and can be reached at (206) 263-3542. They help people with form completion and court procedures but cannot give legal advice. For private attorneys, the Washington State Bar Association directory is at wsba.org. The King County Bar Association also runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010.
King County Divorce Records
Renton is in King County, and all dissolution filings are handled by King County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more on search tools, office locations, and records procedures.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Renton. Most are in King County and file dissolution cases through the same court system.