Access Clallam County Divorce Decree Records

Clallam County divorce decree records are held by the Superior Court Clerk at 223 E. 4th Street in Port Angeles. You can view or get copies of dissolution case files by visiting the Clerk's office during business hours, submitting a mail request, or using the county's public records request process. The Clerk stores all dissolution filings as permanent public records. Certified copies of the divorce decree are available in person or by mail. A Family Law Facilitator is also on site to help self-represented litigants with forms and court procedures. Call (360) 417-2250 or email Web_Clerk@ClallamCountyWA.gov for records questions.

Clallam County Superior Court Clerk

The Clallam County Clerk of Superior Court is the official custodian of all dissolution records for the county. The office is in Suite 9 at 223 E. 4th Street in Port Angeles. The Clerk stores all forms and documents filed in dissolution cases as part of a permanent public record. This includes the initial petition, financial declarations, parenting plans, settlement agreements, and the final Decree of Dissolution. Any document filed with the court becomes part of that permanent file.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can view a case file and obtain copies of any documents in the file at the Clerk's office. Copies carry a fee. You can also reach the Clerk by email at Web_Clerk@ClallamCountyWA.gov for questions about records requests or procedures.

Clallam County is on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington. It includes Port Angeles, Sequim, and Forks, covering a large rural and forested area. All dissolution cases for residents of the county are handled through the Superior Court in Port Angeles.

The Clallam County Clerk of Superior Court page explains how to view and request copies of dissolution records and other court files.

Search Clallam County Divorce Decree Files

To find a dissolution record in Clallam County, the most direct method is visiting the Clerk's office at Suite 9, 223 E. 4th Street in Port Angeles. Bring valid photo ID. Staff can search by party name or case number. You can view the file at no charge and request copies for a fee. Same-day copies are typically available for in-person requests.

For online case searches, use the statewide Washington Courts Case Search tool. This public portal covers Washington Superior Court cases and allows name-based searches. It shows basic case information, docket entries, and hearing dates. Full documents require a request from the Clerk.

The Clallam County public records request process is available at the county's public records portal. This covers records broadly across county offices. For dissolution decrees specifically, the Clerk's office at (360) 417-2250 is the right contact point.

For older historical dissolution records, the Washington State Digital Archives may have some Clallam County materials. The Washington State Archives is another resource for older records that have been transferred from county custody. Contact them to find out what Clallam County materials are available.

The Clallam County public records request page covers the process for submitting written records requests to the county including dissolution decree copies.

Clallam County Divorce Decree Copy Fees

Clallam County uses the standard Washington State fee schedule for court record copies. Non-certified paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Non-certified electronic copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Certified copies carry the court seal and the clerk's signature.

There is an important limitation to note. Certified, authenticated, and exemplified copies cannot be purchased electronically in Clallam County. If you need a certified copy, you must get it in person at the clerk's office or by mail. You cannot receive certified copies by email. Non-certified copies can be sent electronically.

Payment at the Clallam County Clerk's office is accepted by cash, cashier's check, money order, or through the LexisNexis Online Payment Portal. Personal checks may not be accepted. For mail requests, use a cashier's check or money order. For online payment, use the LexisNexis portal linked through the county's website.

Note: Divorce certificates from the Washington State Department of Health cost $25 each for records from 1968 to present. These are summary documents, not the full decree from the Clerk. For most legal uses you will need the certified decree rather than the DOH certificate.

Divorce Filing in Clallam County

Dissolution of marriage in Clallam County is governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. You file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons with the Clallam County Superior Court Clerk at Suite 9, 223 E. 4th Street, Port Angeles. Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or military member stationed in the state. No specific minimum time in Clallam County is required.

Washington is a no-fault dissolution state. The only required legal ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not need to allege or prove fault. Either spouse can file at any time. The other spouse cannot block the dissolution, though they can contest the terms.

After the petition is filed and served, Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period before the dissolution can be finalized. This applies in Clallam County the same as everywhere else in the state. The 90 days runs from the date of filing and service. No exceptions are available under current state law.

Washington requires the use of court-approved forms in dissolution cases. These are identified by a title and number in the lower left corner of each form. All forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms. Clallam County's divorce packet for agreed cases without children is also available at the county's document center. Use the state-approved forms, not forms from other sources.

Once filed, every document in the case becomes part of the permanent public record held by the Clallam County Clerk. This includes the petition, financial declarations, and the final decree. Property division follows community property rules under RCW 26.09.

The Washington State Courts directory page for Clallam County shows contact information and jurisdiction for the Superior Court in Port Angeles.

Clallam County Family Law Facilitator

Clallam County has a Family Law Facilitator available to help self-represented litigants handle their own dissolution cases. The facilitator is located in Room 212 of the courthouse and can be reached at (360) 417-2588. The facilitator reviews forms, explains court procedures, and helps you understand what documents are needed. This is not legal advice, but it can prevent common mistakes in filing.

The facilitator can help with dissolution without children, dissolution with children, parenting plan modifications, and child support adjustments. If you are representing yourself, using the facilitator before you file can save time and reduce errors. Schedule an appointment in advance to make sure the facilitator is available when you visit.

For more detailed legal help, the Northwest Justice Project serves Clallam County residents at no cost for those who qualify by income. Call 1-888-201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. The WashingtonLawHelp.org site also has plain-language guides on Washington dissolution law and self-help forms.

To find a private family law attorney in Clallam County, use the Washington State Bar Association's directory at wsba.org. An attorney is especially helpful if your case involves significant property, a business interest, or a dispute over children. Vital records access for divorce certificates follows rules under RCW 70.58A, while the full court decree is a separate public court record.

Cities in Clallam County

Clallam County covers the northern portion of the Olympic Peninsula. All dissolution cases from cities and communities in the county are filed at the Superior Court in Port Angeles.

Communities in Clallam County include Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks, and Port Townsend (which is actually in Jefferson County). None of the Clallam County cities currently qualify for a dedicated records page based on population thresholds. All dissolution filings are handled through the Clallam County Superior Court Clerk.

Nearby Counties

Clallam County borders Jefferson and Mason counties on the Olympic Peninsula. If you are unsure which county handled a dissolution, confirm the county of residence at the time of filing.