Access Yakima Divorce Decree Records
Yakima divorce decree records are filed and maintained at the Yakima County Superior Court Clerk's office in downtown Yakima. Yakima is the county seat of Yakima County and the largest city in central Washington. All dissolution cases for city and county residents go through this court. The Yakima Municipal Court handles only misdemeanor and ordinance matters and plays no role in dissolution cases. You can search Yakima County dissolution records online through the Washington Courts Odyssey portal at no cost, and the Yakima County Clerk's office provides certified copies of decrees by request.
Yakima Overview
Yakima County Superior Court Divorce Records
The Yakima County Superior Court is in downtown Yakima at 128 North 2nd Street. The Clerk's office is on the third floor in Room 323. This is where all dissolution cases for Yakima city and county residents are filed and stored. The Clerk manages the complete case file from initial petition through final decree.
Yakima Municipal Court is a separate court at 200 S. 3rd Street, about two blocks away. It handles traffic infractions, misdemeanor criminal cases, city ordinance violations, and parking matters. It does not have any involvement in dissolution proceedings. If you need a divorce decree, do not go to the Municipal Court. Go to the Superior Court Clerk at 128 N 2nd Street, Room 323.
| Office | Yakima County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 128 N 2nd Street, Room 323 Yakima, WA 98901 |
| Phone | (509) 574-1430 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | yakimacounty.us/154/Clerk |
The Yakima County Law Library is also in the courthouse building at Room B14. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and the phone is (509) 574-1660. The Law Library has legal research materials, public computers, and reference resources that can help you understand your case and the forms you need.
Yakima City and Divorce Decree Information
The City of Yakima provides general city services and government information through its official website. Dissolution records are maintained at the county level, not by the city.
The Yakima City Website is the official source for city services, permits, and municipal information. For divorce decree records and dissolution filings, the Yakima County Superior Court is the correct office.
The city's website does not list dissolution resources because Yakima Municipal Court cannot handle those cases. All family law matters go to Yakima County Superior Court. The county courthouse at 128 N 2nd Street is where you file, search records, and request copies of decrees.
How to Search Yakima Divorce Decree Records
Yakima County uses the Odyssey case management system. You can search dissolution records through the Washington Courts Odyssey portal at no cost. The search covers current and recent cases. You can search by party name, case number, or case type. Results show party names, docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. The full documents are not available online, but the portal gives you enough information to request copies from the Clerk.
The statewide Washington Courts Case Search is another free tool that covers Yakima County along with all other counties in the state. This is a good option if you are not certain which county handled a specific case. Both tools pull from the same Odyssey data for Yakima County records.
For historical dissolution records from 1968 through 1999, the Washington Digital Archives holds index information at no charge. For older records not in any digital system, contact the Clerk's office at (509) 574-1430 to ask about manual searches.
When you need a certified copy, you can visit the Clerk's office in person or send a written request by mail to Room 323. Include both party names, the case number, the year filed, your mailing address, and a check for the copy fees. Copies cost $0.50 per page for plain copies and $5 for the first page of a certified copy plus $1 for each additional page.
Yakima Divorce Filing Process
Yakima residents follow Washington State dissolution law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." One spouse making that statement is sufficient. You do not need the other spouse's agreement to file, and you do not need to prove any specific wrongdoing.
The residency rule requires at least one spouse to be a Washington resident or active military stationed here. There is no minimum time you must live in Yakima County before filing. State residency is what matters. As long as one of you lives in Washington or is stationed here, you can file at the Yakima courthouse.
The process begins when the petitioner submits a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons to the Yakima County Superior Court Clerk. The other spouse must be served with those documents. After service, the mandatory 90-day waiting period under RCW 26.09.030 begins. No final decree can be entered before those 90 days pass. Agreed cases can proceed to a final decree after the waiting period with a simple submission to the judge. Contested matters may require hearings, mediation, or a trial.
Washington is a community property state. Under RCW 26.09.080, property and debts acquired during the marriage are treated as jointly owned. The court divides them equally by default, with room to adjust if equal division would be unfair given the specific facts of the case.
The Yakima County Family Court Facilitator at (509) 574-2695 provides self-help assistance for $20 per 30-minute session. They can review forms and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice.
Yakima Court Resources for Divorce Cases
The Yakima County Family Court Facilitator is located at the courthouse at 128 North 2nd Street. You can reach them at (509) 574-2695. Sessions cost $20 per 30-minute appointment. They review forms, explain the dissolution process, and help you understand what to file next. They do not provide legal advice or represent you, but they can help you avoid common procedural mistakes when filing on your own.
The Yakima County Law Library is in Room B14 of the courthouse. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Phone is (509) 574-1660. They have legal research books, public computers, and reference staff. If you are looking up a statute, trying to understand a court rule, or searching for case law, the Law Library is the place to start.
All official court forms for dissolution are available at courts.wa.gov/forms. The forms are standardized across Washington and accepted at Yakima County Superior Court. You can download petitions, summons, financial declarations, parenting plans, and every other document the case requires.
Yakima Divorce Decree Fees and Copy Costs
The filing fee at Yakima County Superior Court is approximately $364. This includes the base filing fee and mandatory surcharges. Call the Clerk at (509) 574-1430 to confirm the current amount before filing, as fees are set by state law and can change.
Copy fees at the Yakima County Clerk are $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. You need a certified copy for most legal purposes, including name changes on government ID, updating financial accounts, and other official uses. Plain copies are not accepted in those situations.
The Washington State DOH issues divorce certificates separately from the court decree. Order through the Department of Health vital records office for $25 per copy. A divorce certificate confirms dissolution occurred but does not contain the terms of the decree. Use the certified court copy when you need the full text.
Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. Submit a declaration showing your income and financial situation. People receiving public assistance or earning below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. Waiver forms are available at the courthouse and at courts.wa.gov/forms.
Legal Aid for Yakima Divorce Cases
Columbia Legal Services serves Yakima and the surrounding region. Their office can be reached at (509) 574-0007. They provide legal assistance for qualifying low-income residents and handle family law matters including dissolution. They can help with forms, legal advice, and in some cases direct representation.
Northwest Justice Project also serves Yakima County. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to apply and check eligibility. They handle a range of family law cases and may be able to assist if you qualify. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides for the dissolution process, including step-by-step instructions for agreed cases and cases with children.
The WSBA Lawyer Referral Service at wsba.org connects you with a private family law attorney in the Yakima area. If your case involves disputed property, complex custody issues, or if you simply want professional guidance through the process, a private attorney may be the right choice. Yakima has a substantial bilingual population, and the court system may have Spanish-language resources available at the courthouse. Ask the Clerk's office when you call.
Child support in Washington is set by a state formula under RCW Chapter 26.19. The formula uses both parents' incomes, the number of children, and residential time to calculate the amount. The Family Court Facilitator at (509) 574-2695 can walk you through how the calculation works for your specific situation.
Yakima County Divorce Records
Yakima is the county seat of Yakima County, and all dissolution cases for city and county residents file at the Superior Court in downtown Yakima. The county page covers the full court system, Odyssey search access, and county-level resources for Yakima County filers.
Nearby Cities
Moses Lake is the nearest qualifying city in eastern Washington. It files dissolution cases through a different county court system.