Find South Hill Divorce Decree Filings
South Hill residents who need to locate or get a copy of a Divorce Decree must go through Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. South Hill is one of the largest unincorporated communities in Washington State and has no city government of its own, so all family law matters fall under Pierce County jurisdiction. Dissolution cases for South Hill residents are filed, heard, and stored at the Pierce County Courthouse on Tacoma Avenue. You can search for case records online through Pierce County's LINX system or visit the Clerk's office in person to request copies of a Decree of Dissolution.
South Hill Overview
Where South Hill Divorce Decrees Are Handled
Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma handles all dissolution cases for South Hill. The courthouse is located at 930 Tacoma Avenue S, about 12 miles west of South Hill. Because South Hill is unincorporated, there is no city court, no city clerk, and no local government office that handles court matters. Everything goes through the county.
The County Clerk's office is on the first floor in Room 110. That is where you file new cases, request copies of existing records, and pay fees. South Hill is east of Puyallup, and the drive to Tacoma is straightforward via Highway 512. Public transit also runs between South Hill and the Tacoma area.
| Office | Pierce County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 930 Tacoma Avenue S, Room 110 Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| Phone | (253) 798-7455 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | piercecountywa.gov/161/Clerk |
Note: Pierce County District Court at 1902 96th St S in Tacoma handles misdemeanors and civil claims under a certain dollar threshold. It does not process dissolution cases. Those must go to Superior Court.
Searching South Hill Divorce Decree Records
Pierce County uses the LINX system for online case searches. LINX stands for Legal Information Network Exchange. You can search dissolution records at piercecountywa.gov/829/Search-Court-Records by party name or cause number. The results show filing dates, case status, and hearing information. LINX covers records going back to 1991.
For records filed before 1991, you need to contact the Superior Court Clerk directly. Those older records may not be in the online system and may require a manual search from paper files or microfilm. Call (253) 798-7455 to ask about older cases before making the trip.
The statewide Washington Courts case search tool also covers Pierce County and can be useful if you are checking records across counties at once. For historical Pierce County dissolution records, the Washington Digital Archives may have some older case data available for free.
When searching, have this information ready if possible:
- Full legal name of at least one spouse at the time of filing
- Approximate year the case was filed or finalized
- Cause number if you already have it
Filing for Dissolution in South Hill
South Hill residents follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Filing happens at Pierce County Superior Court. Washington is a no-fault state, which means you do not need to prove fault to get a dissolution. You simply need to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed here at the time of filing. There is no county-specific residency period. You can file the day you meet the state requirement.
The process starts with a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. You file these at the Clerk's office and pay the filing fee. The other party must be served. Washington requires a 90-day waiting period after service before any dissolution becomes final. Both spouses agree on all issues, the process can often conclude shortly after the 90 days. Contested matters involving property or children take longer and may go to a settlement conference or trial.
Pierce County requires parents in dissolution cases with minor children to attend an Impact on Children seminar. This is a county-specific requirement that some other counties do not have. You will need to complete it before the court finalizes the dissolution.
Self-Help Resources at Pierce County Courthouse
Pierce County has several free and low-cost resources at the courthouse for people handling their own dissolution. These can be very helpful if you do not have an attorney.
The Family Court Resource Center is on the first floor of the courthouse at 930 Tacoma Avenue S. Call (253) 798-3627 to reach that office. Staff there provide information about forms and procedures but cannot give legal advice. They can help you understand which forms you need and how the process works in Pierce County.
Pierce County Law Library is also in the County-City Building at Room 100. Phone: (253) 798-3250. The library has legal research materials, form packets, and public computers you can use to fill out forms. The library serves the public and you do not need to be an attorney to use it.
All official court forms are available at no cost through courts.wa.gov/forms. That includes petition forms, summons, financial declarations, parenting plans, and everything else you need for a dissolution in Washington. Download and print them before your first trip to the courthouse to save time.
Legal Aid for South Hill Dissolution Cases
Several organizations offer free or low-cost legal help for Pierce County residents. Northwest Justice Project serves the South Hill area and handles family law cases for people who qualify based on income. Call (888) 201-1014 or check nwjustice.org for details on eligibility and services.
TacomaProBono Community Lawyers at 621 Tacoma Avenue South, Suite 303, offers free civil legal services including family law assistance. Their number is (253) 572-5134. The Pierce County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service connects residents with private attorneys. Visit wsba.org for the statewide attorney directory.
WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org offers step-by-step guides for people filing without an attorney. The site covers everything from how to fill out forms to what to expect at a court hearing. It is one of the best free resources available to Pierce County self-represented filers.
The image below shows the Washington Courts main site, which links to forms, rules, and resources for all Washington counties including Pierce.
The Washington Courts site at courts.wa.gov is updated regularly and is the official source for all dissolution forms used in South Hill and the rest of Pierce County.
Pierce County Divorce Records
South Hill is in Pierce County. All dissolution filings for South Hill go through the Pierce County Superior Court. For full details on the Pierce County court system, LINX search portal, and local resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to South Hill and all use Pierce County Superior Court for dissolution filings.