Pierce County Divorce Decree Records
Pierce County divorce decree records are filed at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Tacoma and are searchable online through the LINX case portal. If you need to look up a dissolution case in Pierce County, find copies of a final decree, or confirm that a case was filed, the clerk's office and the LINX system are your primary starting points. Pierce County is the second most populous county in Washington, covering Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and many other communities in the south Puget Sound region.
Pierce County Overview
Pierce County Superior Court Clerk
The Pierce County Superior Court Clerk maintains all dissolution records filed in the county. The office is located in the County-City Building in downtown Tacoma. Staff can help you find cases, pull documents, and process copy requests. The clerk's office is the official custodian of all family law case files, including Decrees of Dissolution, parenting plans, and settlement agreements.
Pierce County is a high-volume court system. It handles thousands of dissolution cases each year. The clerk uses the LINX system to manage and provide access to case information going back to 1991. For records older than that, you will need to contact the office directly and submit a scan request.
| Office | Pierce County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
930 Tacoma Avenue S, Room 110 Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| Phone | (253) 798-7455 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM) |
| Website | piercecountywa.gov/Courts |
The Pierce County government website has information about all county departments. For a full list of records available online, check the Records Available Online page.
Search Pierce County Divorce Decree Records
Pierce County uses the LINX online case search system. It is free to search. You can look up dissolution cases filed from 1991 to the present. The LINX case search portal lets you search by cause number or by party name. Name searches use last name first, and the system requires an exact match. You can narrow your search using year range and case type filters.
For dissolution cases, choose "Domestic" from the case type dropdown. That filter covers family law matters including dissolution of marriage and legal separation. The results show party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries. You can view the case docket for free. To get copies of actual documents like the decree itself, you pay per-page copy fees.
The statewide Washington Courts case search is another option. It covers most Washington counties and can be useful if you are not sure which county handled a filing. For Pierce County-specific documents and certified copies, the LINX system and the clerk's office are the better path.
For pre-1991 divorce decree records, the LINX system does not have them. You will need to contact the clerk's office directly and submit a Scan Document Request Form. Processing those older records takes longer than current records.
The Pierce County LINX case search portal gives you direct access to dissolution records going back to 1991. The screenshot below shows what the search interface looks like.
The LINX system supports party name, cause number, year range, and case type filtering. Select "Domestic" as the case type when looking for dissolution records.
Note: Documents not yet digitized in LINX may require a written scan request. Check with the clerk for records filed before 1991.Pierce County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees in Pierce County are set by Washington State law. Online copies through LINX cost $0.25 per page. If you go in person, the fee is $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page. The certification seal is required for official purposes like name changes or proving marital status.
To file a new dissolution case, the petitioner pays a filing fee of $314 plus a $30 presentment fee. These amounts can change, so confirm current fees with the clerk before filing. The Pierce County Auditor handles marriage certificate requests at a separate office located at 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma. Marriage certificate fees are $3 for current records or $8 additional for older records.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot pay. You file a motion and declaration under GR 34. The court reviews your financial situation and decides if you qualify. People on public assistance or with household income below 200% of the federal poverty level typically qualify. Court forms are available at the courthouse or through the Washington Courts forms page.
Tip: Contact the clerk's office at (253) 798-7455 to confirm current fees before mailing a payment or arriving in person.
Filing for Divorce in Pierce County
Dissolution cases in Pierce County follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Every step in the process creates records that go into the case file held by the clerk's office. Those records are part of the permanent court file and become the basis for the divorce decree.
Washington requires that either spouse be a resident of the state or be stationed here with the military. There is no minimum time you must live in Pierce County specifically. Under RCW 26.09.030, the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Washington does not use fault-based grounds.
Pierce County requires mandatory settlement conferences before a contested case goes to trial. This is a local rule that applies to all dissolution cases with disputed issues. Parents must also complete an Impact on Children seminar before the court will finalize a case that involves children. These requirements apply regardless of whether both parties agree on parenting terms.
Community property rules apply to asset division under RCW 26.09.080. Property acquired during the marriage is generally community property and gets divided in a just and equitable way. Separate property owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance is treated differently. The final decree spells out how everything is divided.
90-Day Waiting Period: Washington State requires a mandatory 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served. The dissolution cannot be finalized before that period ends.
What Pierce County Divorce Records Contain
A Pierce County divorce decree is a formal court order that ends the marriage and sets the terms both parties must follow. The decree itself names both parties, states the date the court entered the order, and includes the judge's signature and court seal. It covers property division, any spousal maintenance orders, and a parenting plan if the couple has children. The decree is the main document you need for most official purposes after the dissolution is final.
The full case file contains more than just the decree. It includes the original Petition for Dissolution, service documents, financial declarations, property and debt listings, child support worksheets, and the settlement agreement if the parties resolved issues by agreement. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law are also part of the file. Most of these documents are public records. Financial declarations and some sealed filings may have restricted access.
The Pierce County Courts page has information on what documents are part of the public record. The image below shows the county courts portal.
The courts page links out to the LINX system and provides contact information for the clerk's office and family court services.
Legal Help for Pierce County Divorce Cases
Several organizations help people with dissolution cases in Pierce County. TacomaProBono provides free civil legal services to people who qualify. Their office is at 621 Tacoma Ave S, Suite 303, and you can reach them at (253) 572-5134. They handle family law matters for eligible clients.
The Family Court Resource Center at the Pierce County Superior Court is another option. It is located at 930 Tacoma Ave S, First Floor. You can call them at (253) 798-3627. The center offers guidance on forms and procedures for people who are handling their own cases. Family Court Services is at the same building in Room 104 and can be reached at (253) 798-3654.
The Pierce County Law Library is at 930 Tacoma Avenue S, Room 100 and can be reached at (253) 798-3250. Staff can help you find legal forms, statutes, and other research materials. Northwest Justice Project offers free legal services for low-income residents statewide. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn more. The Washington State Bar Association also runs a referral service at wsba.org. Self-help guides and court forms are available at washingtonlawhelp.org.
The Pierce County government site has information on all available county services.
The county site links to the clerk's office, courts, auditor, and other departments you may need when handling a dissolution case.
For the full list of online records available from Pierce County, the Records Available Online page is a useful reference.
The page explains which records you can access through LINX and what requires an in-person or mail request.
Note: The Washington State Archives - Puget Sound Regional Branch in Bellevue, WA holds historical divorce records dating back to the 1880s. Call (425) 564-3940 for research assistance.Cities in Pierce County
All cities in Pierce County file dissolution cases at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. The links below go to city-specific pages with local courthouse and resource information.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Pierce County. If you are unsure which county handles your dissolution case, confirm the address where you live. You must file in the county where you or your spouse resides.