Find Divorce Decrees in Garfield County

Garfield County divorce decree records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Pomeroy. The clerk's office handles all dissolution case filings for the county and can provide copies of decrees, parenting plans, and other court documents. You can contact the office by phone, submit a written request by mail, or visit in person. Because Garfield is a small county, same-day service is often available when you come in. Dissolution records date back to 1882, making this one of the longer-running court record collections in eastern Washington.

Garfield County Clerk's Office

The Garfield County Clerk keeps all dissolution records at the courthouse in Pomeroy. This includes divorce decrees, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and the full case files. The clerk is the primary point of contact for anyone who needs a copy of a divorce decree from Garfield County.

Garfield County is one of the smallest counties in Washington. The courthouse handles a low volume of cases compared to larger counties, which means staff can often give more personal attention to each request. In-person visits during business hours typically result in same-day service. That said, the clerk handles all standard request types including mail and phone inquiries.

If you are not sure where to start, call the clerk's office directly. The county's FAQ specifically notes that inquiries about divorce and probate records should go to the clerk's office at (509) 843-3731. Staff can tell you whether a record exists, how to request copies, and what the current fees are.

The Garfield County Government website provides access to county department information including the clerk's office contact details for divorce record requests.

The county site is the best place to find current phone numbers, mailing addresses, and hours for the clerk's office before submitting a records request.

Searching Garfield County Divorce Records

There are several ways to search for divorce decree records in Garfield County. The simplest is to call the clerk directly at (509) 843-3731. Staff can look up cases by party name or case number and tell you what documents are on file. For older cases going back to 1882, the courthouse has physical records that staff can retrieve.

You can also search online through the Washington Courts system. The statewide case search portal at dw.courts.wa.gov lets you look up cases across all Washington Superior Courts. The Washington Courts directory page for Garfield County at courts.wa.gov has contact details and links to court resources. For historical cases, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is worth checking. It holds indexes and some images for older dissolution records from across the state.

To submit a mail request, write to the clerk at P.O. Box 915, Pomeroy, WA 99347. Include the names of the parties, the approximate year of the case, and the type of documents you need. Include payment with your request. Garfield County follows standard Washington State copy fee rates.

The Washington State Courts directory for Garfield County lists court contact information and links to online case search tools.

This state courts page also links to the Odyssey Portal and other online tools you can use to search Garfield County dissolution case records by name or case number.

Garfield County Copy Fees

Garfield County follows Washington State standard fee rates for court record copies. For certified copies, the fee is $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that. Plain uncertified copies typically run between $0.25 and $0.50 per page.

Because this is a small county office, fees and procedures can sometimes differ from larger county clerks. Call ahead at (509) 843-3731 to confirm current rates before you submit a request. If you are coming in person, staff can give you an exact cost before you pay. Payment methods accepted may vary, so it is worth asking when you call.

Fee waivers are available in certain situations under Washington State law. If you qualify for In Forma Pauperis status due to financial hardship, you may be able to get copies at no charge. The clerk can explain what documentation you need to qualify.

Dissolution Filing Process in Garfield County

Dissolution cases in Garfield County follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. The case is filed at the Superior Court in Pomeroy. Every document submitted during the case becomes part of the permanent court record maintained by the clerk.

Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken under RCW 26.09.030. The court does not consider why the marriage ended or which spouse was at fault. Either spouse may file, and the other cannot legally prevent the dissolution from happening.

After the petition is filed and served, there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. This waiting period applies in every county in Washington and cannot be waived. During this time, temporary orders may be put in place for support, custody, or use of property.

Divorce decrees are kept permanently by the Garfield County Clerk. Real estate documents connected to the dissolution, such as deeds or quit claim documents, are recorded with the County Auditor rather than the clerk. If you need property transfer records related to a dissolution, the auditor's recording division is the right contact.

For people who need help completing forms or understanding the process, WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides. Court forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms.

What Garfield County Divorce Decrees Contain

A Garfield County divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. It is the document most people need when they want to prove a divorce occurred, change a name, or update records with a government agency. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required by most institutions.

Dissolution records in Garfield County typically include the full names of both spouses, the case number, and the filing and decree dates. The decree spells out how property and debts were divided. If children were involved, it includes the custody arrangement, the parenting plan, and the child support order. Spousal maintenance provisions appear in the decree if the court ordered support payments.

The full case file in addition to the decree includes the initial petition, the summons, any response filed by the other party, financial declarations, and any agreed settlement documents. Most of these records are public and available to anyone who requests them, not just the parties to the case.

Legal Resources for Garfield County

Legal help in a rural county like Garfield can take more planning than in a larger metro area. The following organizations can help people who need assistance with dissolution cases or other family law matters in eastern Washington.

Northwest Justice Project serves all of Washington State and provides free civil legal help to people with low incomes. Call the CLEAR line at 1-888-201-1014 to see if you qualify and to get connected with a legal aid attorney. Their website at nwjustice.org has more details. The Washington State Bar Association's referral service at wsba.org can connect you with a private attorney if you need one.

WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has plain-language guides on dissolution, custody, and support. All official court forms are available free at courts.wa.gov/forms. If you are handling your own case, these resources can walk you through each step.

Communities in Garfield County

Garfield County is a small rural county in southeastern Washington. Pomeroy is the county seat and the location of the Superior Court. All dissolution cases in Garfield County are filed at the courthouse in Pomeroy.

Other communities in the county include Pomeroy and several small unincorporated areas. None of these communities have separate court systems. All dissolution filings go through the Garfield County Superior Court in Pomeroy.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Garfield County. File for dissolution in the county where you or your spouse lives at the time of filing.