Divorce Decree Records in San Juan County
San Juan County divorce decree records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. This is a small island county in Washington State accessible primarily by ferry. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get a copy of a final decree, or confirm whether a divorce was filed in San Juan County, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly. The court has dissolution records going back to 1890, and the office is staffed to help with both in-person and mail-in requests.
San Juan County Overview
San Juan County Superior Court Clerk
The San Juan County Superior Court Clerk maintains all dissolution records for the county. The clerk's office is located on the second floor of the courthouse in Friday Harbor. Staff handle records requests by in-person visit, mail, phone, and email. Because the county is made up of islands, most people who do not live on San Juan Island contact the clerk by phone or email before making the trip.
San Juan County is one of the smallest and most geographically unique counties in Washington. It consists of the San Juan Islands in the northwest corner of Puget Sound. If you or your spouse resides anywhere in the island county at the time of filing, you file for dissolution at the San Juan County Superior Court in Friday Harbor.
| Office | San Juan County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
350 Court Street, 2nd Floor Friday Harbor, WA 98250 |
| Phone | (360) 378-2163 |
| lisah@sanjuanco.com | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | sanjuancountywa.gov |
The San Juan County government website has department contact information and links to county services. The image below shows the main county site.
The county website can help you find the right department for your request and confirm current hours before you call or visit.
Find San Juan County Divorce Decree Records
San Juan County is connected to the statewide case search system. You can use the Washington Courts public case search to look up dissolution cases by party name or case number. This tool covers most Washington counties and can show basic case details including filing date and case status.
For copies of actual documents, including the final divorce decree, you need to contact the clerk's office. You can reach staff at (360) 378-2163 or by email at lisah@sanjuanco.com. Provide the full names of both parties and an approximate year the case was filed. If you have the case number, include that as well. The clerk can search the records and tell you what is available and how to get copies.
Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds some historical court records from San Juan County. For older dissolution cases, checking with both the clerk's office and the Digital Archives may help you locate what you need.
San Juan County dissolution records go back to 1890. Marriage records in the county date to 1878. The clerk handles both types of requests, though marriage licenses are technically under the auditor's jurisdiction.
The Washington Courts directory page for San Juan County lists the courts operating in this county and their contact information.
The state courts directory confirms which judicial offices serve San Juan County and provides direct links to local court resources.
Note: Court records in Washington, including divorce decrees, are not subject to the Public Records Act. You must contact the clerk's office directly to request copies. The clerk has discretion over how requests are processed.San Juan County Divorce Decree Copy Fees
Standard copy fees in San Juan County follow Washington State rates. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page. A certification seal is required when you need the decree for official use, such as updating a Social Security record, changing a name, or proving marital status for a legal matter.
The filing fee for a new dissolution case in San Juan County is $364 as of 2026. That amount can change based on state legislation, so verify current fees with the clerk before filing. The 90-day waiting period applies statewide and is mandatory. No exceptions exist under state law.
Marriage license fees in San Juan County are $62 and include one certified copy. Additional certified copies of a marriage record are $3 each. An uncertified marriage copy is $1. These go through the auditor, not the clerk's office, so contact the right department depending on what you need.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. Washington's GR 34 process allows you to file a motion and declaration explaining your financial situation. If you receive public assistance or your income falls below state thresholds, the court may waive or reduce the fees. Forms are available through the Washington Courts forms page.
Dissolution Filing in San Juan County
Dissolution cases in San Juan County follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. The process is the same as in any other Washington county. You or your spouse must be a Washington resident or stationed here with the military. Under RCW 26.09.030, the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Washington does not use fault-based grounds at all.
One thing to plan for in San Juan County is the island access factor. If you need to appear in court, you will need to take a ferry. Washington State Ferries runs service to Friday Harbor from Anacortes. Build travel time into your schedule if you have hearings or need to visit the clerk's office in person. Many routine requests can be handled by phone or email to avoid the trip.
If children are involved, parents must complete a parenting seminar before the court finalizes the dissolution. Property division follows community property rules under RCW 26.09.080. The court divides community property in a just and equitable way. The Decree of Dissolution is the final court order that ends the marriage and lays out all terms.
90-Day Waiting Period: Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period from the date the petition is filed and served before the dissolution can be finalized. There are no exceptions.
What San Juan County Divorce Records Include
A San Juan County divorce decree is a formal court order signed by the judge that officially ends the marriage. The decree names both parties, states the date it was entered, and lays out the terms of the dissolution. This includes property division, debt responsibility, any spousal maintenance orders, the parenting plan if children are involved, and child support amounts. The decree carries the court seal and is the document you need to prove a divorce occurred.
The full case file also includes the Petition for Dissolution, the summons, proof of service, the response (if filed), any settlement agreement, financial declarations, and Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. Most of these documents are available to the public. Some records involving sealed financial information, mental competency, or adoptions have restricted access. The clerk can tell you what is available in a specific case.
San Juan County has kept dissolution records since 1890. Older records may be held at the Washington State Digital Archives. If you are looking for a case from several decades ago, it is worth checking both the clerk's office and the Digital Archives to see what is available.
Note: Adoption, dependency, and mental competency records are restricted. You will need a court order or special authorization to access those types of files.Legal Resources for San Juan County Divorce Cases
San Juan County is a small county with limited local legal services. For free or low-cost legal help, most residents use regional and statewide resources. Northwest Justice Project serves San Juan County residents through its CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014. They handle family law cases including dissolution for low-income clients. Visit nwjustice.org for eligibility and service information.
WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides for dissolution cases. It covers everything from how to fill out forms to what to expect in court. All official court forms are available at no charge on the Washington Courts forms page. The Washington State Bar Association runs a referral service if you need to find an attorney. Search their directory at wsba.org.
For vital records related to your case, the Washington Department of Health manages the statewide vital records system. You can learn more at the DOH vital records page.
Communities in San Juan County
San Juan County consists of several islands in northwest Washington. Friday Harbor is the county seat and the main community on San Juan Island. Other communities include Eastsound on Orcas Island and Lopez Village on Lopez Island. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All dissolution cases in the county are filed at the courthouse in Friday Harbor regardless of which island you live on.
Nearby Counties
These counties are closest to San Juan County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, confirm your residence address. You must file in the correct county.