Cowlitz County Divorce Decree Search

Cowlitz County divorce decree records are maintained by the County Clerk of Superior Court at the Hall of Justice in Kelso. You can search dissolution cases online through the statewide Odyssey portal or request records by email, mail, or in person. The Cowlitz County Clerk has kept dissolution records since 1874, one of the longest records in Washington State. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or just want to look up a case, the clerk's office handles all requests for divorce decrees filed in the county.

Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court

The Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all dissolution records for the county. The office is on the 2nd floor of the Hall of Justice in Kelso. Staff handle record searches, copy requests, and in-person assistance during office hours. The clerk accepts requests by email, mail, and in person. Email requests can be sent to clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov.

Cowlitz County participates in the statewide Odyssey case management system, so many dissolution records are searchable online. The county also has an online request process for those who prefer to submit their request digitally. Cowlitz County's dissolution records go back to 1874, and marriage records date to 1844, reflecting the long administrative history of this southwest Washington county.

The Cowlitz County online public records request process is at co.cowlitz.wa.us/548/Public-Records-Request-Process. When filling out a request form for dissolution records, select "Domestic" as the case type.

Cowlitz County Court Records Resources

The Cowlitz County Court Records page explains how to request dissolution records, what forms to use, and what fees apply.

The court records page includes links to the online request form, the $15 non-refundable deposit requirement, and instructions for selecting the correct case type when requesting dissolution records.

The Cowlitz County government website provides access to the clerk's office details, county departments, and online records request forms.

The county website has direct links to the public records request process, clerk contact information, and other county services relevant to dissolution record searches.

The Washington State Courts directory for Cowlitz County lists court contact details and links to the Odyssey portal for online case lookup.

The state courts listing confirms Cowlitz County Superior Court contact information and provides a gateway to the statewide Odyssey search system for looking up dissolution cases.

How to Search Cowlitz County Divorce Records

The fastest way to search for a dissolution case in Cowlitz County is through the Odyssey Portal. This statewide system lets you search by party name or case number and view basic case information including docket entries and case status. The portal is free to use and available at any time.

You can also use the Washington Courts case search to look up Cowlitz County dissolution records alongside cases from other counties. This is helpful if you are not certain which county a case was filed in, or if parties may have lived in more than one county during the marriage.

For certified copies or complete case documents, you must contact the Cowlitz County Clerk directly. Submit your request by email to clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov, by mail to the Hall of Justice address, or in person at the 2nd floor office. A non-refundable $15 deposit is required for all records searches. The deposit covers the search cost and any copy fees are deducted from it. If your request totals less than $15, no refund is given for the difference.

Email requests typically take 3 to 5 business days. Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks. In-person requests for available records are often handled the same day. Come prepared with party names, the approximate year of filing, and the case number if you have it.

Note: When completing any request form, select "Domestic" as the case type when looking for dissolution records.

Cowlitz County Divorce Decree Copy Fees

Cowlitz County requires a non-refundable $15.00 deposit for all records searches. This deposit is applied toward the total cost of your copies. Regular (non-certified) copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that. If your total comes to less than the $15 deposit, no refund is issued.

Certified copies of a divorce decree carry the official court seal and are accepted for legal purposes such as court filings, property transfers, and name changes with government agencies. Non-certified copies are fine for personal reference but may not be accepted for official use. If you are unsure which type you need, go with the certified copy.

Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope to speed up the return of your documents. If you need to know the exact page count before sending payment, call the clerk at (360) 577-3085 to confirm. Marriage records are held by the Cowlitz County Auditor at (360) 577-3002 and are separate from dissolution records held by the clerk.

Dissolution in Cowlitz County

All dissolution cases in Cowlitz County follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Either spouse must be a Washington resident to file. Under RCW 26.09.030, there is no minimum time requirement for how long you have lived in the county. Washington does not require fault. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

Once the Petition for Dissolution and Summons are filed with the Cowlitz County Clerk and served on the other party, the mandatory 90-day waiting period begins. No decree can be entered until this period passes. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can file an agreed decree and present it to the court after the 90 days. Contested cases may go through mediation or a hearing before a judge enters the decree.

Property is divided under community property rules set out in RCW 26.09.080. Courts aim for a just and equitable split of community assets and debts. If children are involved, the decree will include a parenting plan and child support order. The Cowlitz County Law Library on the 3rd floor of the Hall of Justice is available to the public and can be a useful resource for those representing themselves.

For legal help, contact the Northwest Justice Project at 1-888-201-1014. Self-help guides and court forms are at WashingtonLawHelp.org and courts.wa.gov/forms. The Washington State Bar Association has a directory to help you find a family law attorney in the Kelso area.

What Cowlitz County Dissolution Records Show

A divorce decree from Cowlitz County contains the final court order ending the marriage. It is the document you need for most legal and administrative purposes following a dissolution. Certified copies are used to change a name on a driver's license, update a Social Security record, transfer real estate, or enforce the terms of the dissolution order.

Cowlitz County dissolution records typically include the names of both parties, the date the decree was entered, all property division terms, and any custody or support orders. The full case file held by the clerk also contains the original petition, any motions filed, financial declarations, and all other documents submitted during the case. Not all of these are public. Financial affidavits and documents containing sensitive personal information may be restricted.

The Cowlitz County Clerk has maintained these records permanently since the county was established. Dissolution records date to 1874. Older records may be in paper form rather than digital format. If you are searching for a very old record, call ahead so the clerk can advise on availability and any extra research time needed.

Note: Birth and death certificates are handled by the Cowlitz County Health Department, not the clerk. Marriage licenses are held by the County Auditor at (360) 577-3002.

Cities in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County includes Kelso, Longview, and surrounding communities. All dissolution cases for county residents are filed at the Superior Court at the Hall of Justice in Kelso.

Other communities in Cowlitz County include Castle Rock, Kalama, Woodland, and Ryderwood. All dissolution cases from these areas go through the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cowlitz County. File your dissolution case in the county where you currently live.