Franklin County Divorce Decree Records

Franklin County divorce decree records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Pasco. You can search for dissolution cases online or visit the courthouse at 1016 N. 4th Avenue to get copies. The clerk handles all dissolution filings for the county, and both recent and older case files are available on request. If you need a certified copy of a decree or just want to look up a case, the clerk's office is the right place to start. Online access is also available through the state's court portal and the Washington State Digital Archives.

Franklin County Superior Court Clerk

The Franklin County Superior Court Clerk keeps all dissolution records filed in the county. The office is located in Pasco at 1016 N. 4th Avenue, Suite B306. Staff can locate cases by name or case number and can provide both plain and certified copies of divorce decrees. The clerk's office also accepts mail requests for records.

Court records go back many years. The office handles current cases as well as older filings stored at the courthouse. For cases from 1983 or earlier, a separate search fee applies because those records require extra research time. If you have a case number, the search goes faster. But you can also search by the names of the parties at the time of the filing.

The Franklin County government website at co.franklin.wa.us has contact details, forms, and information about the clerk's office. You can also contact the court administration line at (509) 736-3071 for questions about specific cases or procedures.

The Franklin County Government website provides access to the clerk's office contact page and online services for dissolution record requests.

The county site links directly to the clerk's department page where you can find request forms and fee schedules for divorce decree copies.

How to Find Franklin County Divorce Decrees

You have several ways to search for a divorce decree in Franklin County. Online tools work well for basic case lookups. In-person visits let you review the full file and get certified copies on the spot. Mail requests are also accepted, though they take longer.

The Washington Courts case search portal at dw.courts.wa.gov is a good starting point for online searches. You can also use the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov to look up Franklin County case records. To search in the Odyssey system, log in and choose "Case Records by Name" or "Case Records by Number." From there, select the gray Note box link for participating courts, click Smart Search, and enter the cause number or party names along with the captcha code.

The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds divorce certificates from 1968 to 1995 and indexes from 1969 to 2017. Some records in the digital archives have images you can print for free. This is a useful resource for older cases that may not appear in the court's online system.

When you contact the clerk's office, have this information ready:

• Full name of one or both parties at the time of the case
• Case number if you have it
• Approximate date or year of filing
• Whether you need the full file or a specific document like the decree
• Case status (active or closed)

For mail requests, you must include a business-size, stamped, self-addressed return envelope. Payment must be sent with the request or the clerk will not process it. Personal checks are not accepted for mail requests. Use a cashier's check or money order made out to the Franklin County Clerk.

Franklin County Divorce Decree Copy Fees

The Franklin County Superior Court Clerk follows a set fee schedule for copies of divorce decrees and other case records. Fees vary depending on the type of copy and how the request is submitted. Certified copies cost more than plain copies but carry the official court seal, which most agencies and institutions require.

Standard uncertified copies cost $0.50 per page. If you need the documents sent by email, the rate drops to $0.25 per page. Certified copies start at $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that. If you need a document authenticated or exemplified for international use, there is an additional $3.00 charge on top of the certified copy fee. Copies to CD cost $0.25 per page plus a $20.00 flat charge for the CD itself.

For cases filed in 1983 or earlier, a $30.00 research fee applies before any copy fees. These older cases take more time to locate, which is why the extra fee exists. Expedited service is also available for a $30.00 fee. Standard processing takes about seven days. If you need the records faster, the expedited option can help.

The Franklin County Auditor also maintains some online divorce decree records. This can be a free way to access certain case information without going through the clerk's office request process.

Divorce Decree Filing in Franklin County

Dissolution cases in Franklin County follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Every document filed during the case becomes part of the court record kept by the clerk. That record is what people access when they need copies of the divorce decree later on.

To file for dissolution in Franklin County, either you or your spouse must live in Washington State or be a member of the armed forces stationed here. Under RCW 26.09.030, there is no minimum time you must live in a specific county before filing. Washington does not require fault-based grounds for dissolution. The law says a marriage is dissolved when it is irretrievably broken, and that is the only reason needed.

After the petition is filed and served, Washington requires a 90-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. This is a firm rule with no exceptions. During this time, the court may issue temporary orders covering child support, parenting time, and use of shared property. If both parties agree on all terms, they can submit an agreed decree and move through the process more efficiently. Contested cases may require mediation or a hearing before a judge.

When children are involved in a Franklin County dissolution, the parties must complete a Mandatory Parenting Seminar before the court can finalize the case. The seminar covers how divorce affects children and what parents can do to help. Proof of completion is filed with the clerk as part of the case record.

What Franklin County Divorce Decrees Include

A divorce decree from Franklin County Superior Court is a full court order that covers all the major terms of the dissolution. It is the document you need to prove your marital status, change your name, or update legal records. Most banks, government agencies, and employers will only accept a certified copy with the court seal.

Franklin County divorce decrees contain the full names of both parties, the case number, and the jurisdiction. They show the filing date and the date the decree was entered. Property division and debt allocation are spelled out in detail. If the couple had children, the decree includes the custody arrangement, parenting plan, and child support amounts. Spousal maintenance is included if the court ordered it. Any name change provisions are also listed in the decree.

In addition to the decree itself, the full case file includes the Petition for Dissolution, any responses from the other party, financial declarations, and any settlement agreements or parenting plans that were filed. You can request the full file or just specific documents. Most people only need the decree and possibly the parenting plan or support order.

Access to Franklin County dissolution records is generally public. You do not need to be a party to the case. Some sealed documents, like certain financial records, may not be available. Ask the clerk if you are unsure whether a specific document is accessible.

Legal Help in Franklin County

If you need help with a dissolution case or understanding your rights, several organizations serve the Franklin County area. Some offer free or low-cost help based on income.

Northwest Justice Project provides free civil legal help to low-income people across Washington. Call their CLEAR line at 1-888-201-1014 to see if you qualify. Their site at nwjustice.org has information on eligibility and services. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides and links to forms for dissolution cases. Both sites are good starting points if you plan to represent yourself.

The Washington State Bar Association runs a referral service at (206) 443-9722. You can also search for an attorney at wsba.org. If you just need court forms, the Washington Courts website at courts.wa.gov/forms has everything you need for a dissolution filing, including parenting plans and financial declarations.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County includes several communities. All dissolution cases in the county go through the Superior Court in Pasco.

Other communities in Franklin County include Connell, Mesa, Kahlotus, and several unincorporated areas. All dissolution filings go through the Franklin County Superior Court regardless of where in the county you live.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County. If you are not sure which county you file in, check the address where you or your spouse lives at the time of filing.