Klickitat County Divorce Decree

Klickitat County divorce decree records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Goldendale. The clerk's office files all dissolution cases for the county and keeps records going back to 1879. You can search and obtain copies in person, by mail, by phone, or online through the state Odyssey Portal. This page covers how to access Klickitat County divorce decree records, what fees to expect, and where to get help if you need it.

Klickitat County Superior Court Clerk

The Klickitat County Superior Court Clerk holds all dissolution records for the county. The office is in Room 204 of the courthouse in Goldendale. Staff process records requests, make copies, and manage new filings. The clerk is the official custodian of all family law case files in Klickitat County.

Klickitat County is located in south-central Washington along the Columbia River Gorge. It is a rural county with a small population. The clerk's office handles all dissolution filings for county residents, including petitions, agreed decrees, and contested cases. Records go back to 1879, making Klickitat County one of the counties with some of the oldest accessible dissolution records in the state.

The Klickitat County government website provides general county information and links to offices. The county's FAQ page has answers to common questions about fees, procedures, and records requests. The Washington State Courts directory for Klickitat County lists all courts and their contact information.

The Klickitat County government website below provides office contact details, fee schedules, and answers to common records questions including how to request dissolution copies.

The Washington State Courts directory page for Klickitat County lists all courts in the county and provides contact details for the clerk's office and Superior Court.

How to Access Klickitat County Divorce Decree Records

You have several options for looking up dissolution records in Klickitat County. In-person requests are handled at Room 204 of the courthouse in Goldendale. Bring the names of both parties and the approximate year of the case. Staff can search by name, case number, or date range. In-person requests are usually completed the same day.

The statewide Washington Courts Case Search lets you search Klickitat County dissolution cases online for free. Enter a party name or case number and the system will show case status and docket entries. You cannot view full documents online this way, but you can confirm a case exists and get the case number. From there, contact the clerk to request copies.

Klickitat County also participates in the statewide Odyssey Portal. This portal offers online access to case information for registered users. It is widely used by attorneys but is also available to members of the public who create an account.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box CH-3, Goldendale, WA 98620. Include the full names of both parties, the filing year, and the type of documents you need. Enclose payment by check or money order. Mail turnaround is typically 1 to 2 weeks. Phone requests during business hours can sometimes be handled faster for simple inquiries.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds Klickitat County records from 1969 to 2017. If you are looking for a case from that period, the archives are a good free option before contacting the clerk directly.

Klickitat County Divorce Filing and Copy Fees

The filing fee for a dissolution petition in Klickitat County is $364. This is set by the county and covers the surcharges added to the state base fee. The petitioner pays this when filing the Petition for Dissolution. Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income filers. Ask the clerk for the waiver forms or download them from the Washington Courts website.

Certified copies of the Decree of Dissolution cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Plain (uncertified) copies cost less. The county FAQ page at klickitatcounty.gov/faq lists current fees and answers common questions about the clerk's services.

Marriage certified copies in Klickitat County cost $39 each and must be paid in cash. Additional copies are $3 each. If you need a marriage record as part of a dissolution case, contact the Auditor's Office rather than the clerk's office. The Auditor handles marriage records; the clerk handles dissolution records.

Klickitat County Divorce Record History

Dissolution records in Klickitat County go back to 1879. Marriage records go back even further, to 1867. The county has maintained permanent retention of these records, which makes Klickitat one of the better sources in southern Washington for historic family law research.

The County Auditor holds birth and death records from 1891 to 1907. The County Clerk holds naturalization records from 1893 to 1927. If you are doing genealogical research and need to trace a family history that includes a dissolution, the clerk and auditor offices together cover most of what you would need.

The Washington State Department of Health holds vital records from 1968 forward. The Klickitat County Health Department also maintains local birth and death records. In Goldendale, the health department can be reached at (509) 773-4565. The White Salmon office handles records for the western part of the county at (509) 493-1558.

Washington State Archives holds Klickitat County records from 1969 to 2017. For cases in that range, check the Digital Archives first. It is a free resource and often faster than submitting a mail request to the clerk.

Filing for Dissolution in Klickitat County

Filing for dissolution in Klickitat County follows the same state rules as everywhere in Washington. Either spouse must be a state resident or active military member. The case starts with the Petition for Dissolution and Summons filed at the clerk's office. The $364 filing fee is due at the time of filing.

Washington is a no-fault state under RCW Chapter 26.09. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. After filing and service, the mandatory 90-day waiting period under RCW 26.09.030 must pass before the court can finalize the case. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can file an agreed decree and have it signed after the waiting period.

Contested cases may require hearings before the Klickitat County Superior Court. The judge will then enter a Decree of Dissolution after hearing from both sides. Once signed, the decree is filed with the clerk and becomes a permanent record accessible to the public.

Legal Help in Klickitat County

Northwest Justice Project serves rural Washington counties, including Klickitat. If you have a low income, you may qualify for free legal help. Call the CLEAR line at 1-888-201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. They handle family law matters including dissolution, custody, and child support.

Self-help resources are available at WashingtonLawHelp.org. All court forms are free to download at courts.wa.gov/forms. The WSBA directory can help you find a licensed attorney in the area who handles dissolution cases.

Cities in Klickitat County

Klickitat County includes several communities. Goldendale is the county seat and home to the Superior Court. Other communities include White Salmon, Bingen, and Wishram. All dissolution cases for county residents are filed at the Superior Court in Goldendale.

Nearby Counties

Klickitat County borders these counties in southern Washington. File in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.