Kitsap County Divorce Decree Records

Kitsap County divorce decree records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Port Orchard. You can search dissolution cases in person, by email, by mail, or online through the statewide case search. The clerk's office stores all family law case files, including Decrees of Dissolution, parenting plans, and financial orders. If you need to find a Kitsap County divorce decree or get a certified copy, this page covers how to do it and what to expect.

Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk

The Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk manages all dissolution records for the county. The office is at 614 Division Street in Port Orchard. Staff handle records requests, provide copies, and process new filings. Whether you need a copy of an old decree or want to check the status of a pending case, this is the office to contact.

Kitsap County is home to Bremerton, Silverdale, and several other communities across the Kitsap Peninsula. All dissolution cases for county residents go through the Superior Court in Port Orchard. The clerk's office keeps digital records going back to 1973. Records before that date are stored physically at the clerk's office and may require additional time to locate.

The Kitsap County Clerk's page on the county website has current information on hours, contact details, and how to submit records requests. The Washington State Courts directory for Kitsap County lists all courts in the county with contact information.

The Washington State Courts directory page for Kitsap County shows current clerk contact information and links to related court offices in the county.

How to Find Kitsap County Divorce Decree Records

You can search Kitsap County dissolution records using several methods. The statewide Washington Courts Case Search is available online and does not require an account. Search by party name or case number. The system shows docket entries and case status but does not display full document images. Use it to confirm a case exists and get the case number before requesting copies.

WSBA members can subscribe to the Kitsap County Odyssey Portal for online access to case documents. This is mainly used by attorneys. Most members of the public request copies by visiting in person, emailing the clerk, or mailing a written request. Email requests go to clerksearchrequests@kitsap.gov. In-person requests are handled at the Division Street office during regular hours.

When you search, it helps to have the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Case numbers use the format XX-X-XXXXX-X. You can also filter by filing date range, document type, or party role (petitioner or respondent). The clerk can search by any of these fields.

Pre-1973 records are stored at the clerk's office and are not available in the digital system. Bring extra time if you are looking for a case from before 1973. The Kitsap County Law Library at 614 Division Street has public access terminals you can use to look up records.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds Kitsap County records from 1973 forward. This is a good free tool for finding older dissolution cases that have been transferred to the archives.

Note: Audio recordings of hearings require an FTR Player to play back. You can download the player from fortherecord.com.

Kitsap County Divorce Decree Copy Fees

Kitsap County has a detailed fee schedule for records. Regular photocopies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each page after that. If you need an exemplified or authenticated copy for international use, the fee is $9 for the first page plus $1 per additional page. Authenticated copies carry the additional court certification needed for use in other countries.

Audio recordings of court hearings cost extra. A standard audio CD of a single hearing day is $25. If you need it mailed, add $5 for a total of $30 per day. Expedited processing takes 1 to 2 business days and costs $45 per hearing day. Expedited with mailing is $50 per day. Standard audio requests take 3 to 5 business days.

Processing times for document requests:

• In-person: same day to 72 hours
• Email: 72-hour turnaround
• Mail: 5 to 10 business days
• Audio (standard): 3 to 5 business days
• Audio (expedited): 1 to 2 business days

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You need to file a declaration of financial need. The Washington Courts forms page has the forms you need for a waiver request.

Sealed Records and Special Access in Kitsap County

Some documents in a Kitsap County dissolution file are sealed by court order. These typically include financial records that were submitted under seal, certain declarations, or documents involving minor children. To access sealed records, you must get a Court Order. The clerk will not release sealed records without one.

Parties to the case and their attorneys can get copies of sealed documents in paper format only, but they must file a Notice of Appearance first. This rule protects the confidentiality of records while still giving the parties access to their own case files.

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09 governs dissolution records, including what is public and what can be restricted. The 90-day waiting period under RCW 26.09.030 applies before any dissolution can be finalized in Kitsap County.

Legal Help in Kitsap County

Several organizations offer legal help to residents of Kitsap County. Northwest Justice Project provides free legal services to low-income residents in family law matters. Call the CLEAR line at 1-888-201-1014 to apply. Their website at nwjustice.org has details on how to get help with dissolution, custody, and support cases.

WashingtonLawHelp.org has free guides on how to file for dissolution in Washington, including step-by-step instructions for unrepresented parties. The Kitsap County Law Library at 614 Division Street is open to the public and has legal reference materials you can use for free. The WSBA attorney finder can help you locate a family law attorney in the Bremerton or Port Orchard area.

Official court forms are free to download from courts.wa.gov/forms. If you want to handle your case without an attorney, start by reviewing the dissolution packet on the Washington Courts forms page. The clerk's office can tell you which forms to use, but cannot give legal advice.

Cities in Kitsap County

Kitsap County includes several communities. All dissolution cases for county residents go through the Superior Court in Port Orchard.

Other communities in Kitsap County include Port Orchard, Silverdale, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, and Kingston. Dissolution cases for residents of all these areas are filed at the Superior Court in Port Orchard.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Kitsap County. You file for dissolution in the county where you or your spouse lives.