Shoreline Divorce Decree Records
Shoreline residents who need to find or obtain a Divorce Decree must work through the King County Superior Court in downtown Seattle. Shoreline sits in north King County, and all dissolution cases for people who live here are filed and stored at the county courthouse. You can search for dissolution records online through the King County eCourt public portal. That tool shows party names, case numbers, and filing dates. For a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, visit or contact the County Clerk directly. Staff can locate your file and provide copies on the same day in most cases.
Shoreline Overview
Where Shoreline Divorce Decrees Are Filed
All dissolution cases for Shoreline residents go to King County Superior Court. The court is located at the King County Courthouse in Seattle, about 12 miles south of Shoreline. Sound Transit Link Light Rail provides service to downtown Seattle, making the trip to the courthouse easier. The County Clerk's office at the courthouse holds all family law records including Decrees of Dissolution.
Shoreline is in north King County, right along the border with Snohomish County. The city has no court of its own for family law matters. King County District Court does have a Shoreline Division, but that court handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and small claims only. It does not process dissolution cases. Any resident who files for dissolution must go through King County Superior Court, not the Shoreline division of the District Court.
| 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 |
When you arrive at the courthouse, you will go through a security checkpoint. Bring a valid photo ID. The Clerk's office on the main floor can help you look up a case, request copies, or point you toward the right form for your situation.
Searching Shoreline Divorce Decree Records
King County Superior Court offers online case search through its eCourt portal. You can look up dissolution cases by party name or case number. The results show basic case information like filing date, case status, and hearing entries. You do not need to visit the courthouse to find whether a case exists.
The statewide Washington Courts case search tool at dw.courts.wa.gov also covers King County. This tool is useful if you are not sure which county a case was filed in or if you want to check across multiple counties at once. Results link back to the individual court's records system.
Washington State Archives holds older dissolution records. For cases filed many years ago, you may need to contact the archives directly. The Washington Digital Archives site has some historical records available for free online search.
To search dissolution records for Shoreline cases, have these things ready:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate year of filing, if known
- Case number, if you have it
Note: Online searches show case information but not the actual documents. Getting a copy of the Decree of Dissolution requires a separate request from the Clerk's office, either in person or by mail.
King County District Court Shoreline Division
King County District Court maintains a Shoreline Division at 18050 Meridian Avenue N. This court is convenient for Shoreline residents who have misdemeanor or traffic matters. The Shoreline Division serves the northern part of King County under an interlocal agreement with the City of Shoreline.
That said, the Shoreline Division of the District Court does not handle dissolution cases. It cannot process a divorce filing, issue a Decree of Dissolution, or provide copies of family law case records. Those matters go to King County Superior Court in Seattle. If you contact the Shoreline District Court location about a dissolution case, they will redirect you to the Superior Court.
The King County District Court Shoreline Division can be reached at (206) 205-9200. For information about what this court handles, see the City of Shoreline's page on the Shoreline Division. But again, divorce records and filings are not part of what this court does.
Filing for Divorce in Shoreline
Washington State governs dissolution under RCW Chapter 26.09. Shoreline residents file at King County Superior Court. The basic process applies statewide, though local rules and procedures vary by county.
Under RCW 26.09.030, either spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state at the time of filing. Washington uses a no-fault system, so you do not need to prove any wrongdoing. The legal standard is simply that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the Superior Court. The other party must be served with the documents. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can submit an agreed Decree and move through the process faster. Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period after service before a dissolution can be finalized. Contested cases that involve property division, custody, or child support disputes may take considerably longer.
King County has a Family Law Facilitator at the courthouse in Room W-291. Call (206) 263-3542 to reach that office. The facilitator can help with forms and procedures but cannot give legal advice.
Legal Help for Shoreline Residents
Several resources serve Shoreline residents who need help with dissolution cases. Some are free. Others charge on a sliding scale or offer a reduced-rate first consultation.
Northwest Justice Project provides free legal assistance to low-income residents throughout King County. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to find out if you qualify and how to apply. They handle family law cases including dissolution.
The Washington State Bar Association has a statewide referral service at (206) 443-9722 and a directory at wsba.org. For self-help guides and official court forms, washingtonlawhelp.org and courts.wa.gov are solid starting points.
The state image below shows the Washington Courts forms page, which has all required dissolution packets including petition forms, financial declarations, and parenting plan templates.
The Washington Courts forms page has all official dissolution documents for King County and the rest of the state.
All petition packets, financial declaration forms, and parenting plan templates are available there at no cost. You can download and print them before your trip to the courthouse.
Divorce Certificates vs. Decree Copies
There are two different documents people often ask about. A Decree of Dissolution is the court order that ends the marriage. The Clerk's office at King County Superior Court holds those. A divorce certificate is a vital record issued by the state.
The Washington State Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for cases finalized in the state. You can request one through the DOH vital records office. That document confirms the dissolution happened but does not include the terms of the decree. If you need the actual decree with property or custody orders, you need the court copy from King County Superior Court, not the DOH certificate.
Note: Certified copies of the Decree from the Clerk's office cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
King County Divorce Records
Shoreline is part of King County. All dissolution filings and records are handled by the King County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more details on the court system, online search tools, and additional resources.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Shoreline. Each files dissolution cases through its county's Superior Court.