Spokane County Divorce Decree Records

Spokane County divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Superior Court Clerk at the Spokane County Courthouse. You can search dissolution cases online using the statewide portal or visit the clerk's office in person. Spokane County is the second most populous county in Washington, covering the city of Spokane and dozens of surrounding communities. The County Clerk handles all requests for certified copies of decrees, case lookups, and document retrieval. Whether you need to verify a dissolution or get a certified copy of a divorce decree, the clerk's office is your primary contact.

Spokane County Superior Court Clerk

The Spokane County Superior Court Clerk is Timothy W. Fitzgerald. His office stores all dissolution case files and handles requests for copies of decrees, judgments, and other court documents. The public counter is open Monday through Friday with morning and afternoon hours. Walk-ins are welcome during counter hours, but calling ahead can save time if you have a complex request.

The clerk's office sits inside the county courthouse on West Broadway Avenue. Eight court commissioners handle family law matters in Spokane County. That volume makes Spokane one of the busiest family law courts in eastern Washington. If you file on the east side of the state, this is the court that processes the bulk of dissolution cases in the region.

The Spokane County government website at spokanecounty.org provides department contacts, office hours, and links to court services. Use it to confirm the latest information before you visit.

The Spokane County Court Records page gives direct access to case search tools and explains what records are available to the public. You can also find information on how to submit a request by mail.

How to Search Spokane County Divorce Records

The fastest way to search dissolution records is through the Washington State Courts public access portal. The statewide Washington Courts case search lets you look up cases by name or case number. It pulls data from Spokane County Superior Court along with every other county in the state. Results show party names, filing dates, and case status. This is a free tool and no account is required.

Spokane County also uses the Odyssey case management system. The Odyssey Portal gives you access to detailed case records, docket entries, and document listings. Records go back to 1985 in the online system. Older cases from before 2000 that are not in Odyssey may be stored at the Washington State Archives Eastern Regional Branch in Cheney. That branch is located at 960 Washington Street and can be reached at (509) 235-7508.

For in-person searches, go to Room 300 at 1116 W. Broadway Avenue. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search and print records for $0.50 per page. Bring the names of both parties or a case number. Staff can help if you have partial information.

Note: Records involving minor children may have restricted portions. If you need documents from a sealed file, you will need to file a motion with the court.

Spokane County Divorce Decree Copy Fees

Getting copies of a Spokane County divorce decree costs different amounts depending on what type you need. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5 per document. If you need an exemplified copy for use in another country, that is $30. Research fees apply after the first hour at $30 per hour.

If you need to record a marriage dissolution decree through the Spokane County Auditor, the fee is $18. The Auditor's office is also at 1116 W. Broadway Avenue and can be reached at (509) 477-2270. Recording creates a public record of the dissolution that is separate from the court file.

Processing times vary. In-person requests at the courthouse are usually same day or up to three business days. Mail requests take longer. Certified copies typically process in one to three business days. If you need a certified copy through the Washington Department of Health rather than the court, allow two to three weeks. DOH handles vital records separately from court records.

Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. Forms are on the Washington Courts forms page. You need to show your financial situation meets the court's criteria. Staff at the clerk's office can point you to the right form.

Filing for Divorce in Spokane County

Dissolution cases in Spokane County follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither party needs to prove fault. Under RCW 26.09.030, either spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed here to file in state court. There is no minimum county residency period.

After you file the petition and serve the other party, Washington requires a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the court can finalize the dissolution. The court will not enter a Decree of Dissolution before those 90 days are up. This applies even if both parties agree on every term. The decree becomes part of the permanent case file once the judge signs it.

Property division in Washington follows community property rules. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides community property in a just and equitable manner. Community property includes most assets acquired during the marriage. Separate property from before the marriage or from gifts and inheritances is handled differently. The decree will spell out exactly how property and debt are split.

Family Law Help in Spokane County

The Spokane County Courthouse has a Family Law Facilitator office on the third floor at 1116 W. Broadway Avenue. The facilitator helps self-represented parties understand forms and procedures. Sessions run on a sliding scale of $20 to $30 and are by appointment. Call (509) 477-5790 to schedule. This is not legal representation, but the facilitator can save you a lot of confusion. The Family Law Center is also in the building at Room 200 and can be reached at (509) 477-7612.

The Law Library is on the fifth floor of the courthouse. It has legal research resources and staff who can help you find forms and statutes. The number is (509) 477-3909. If you need an attorney referral, Northwest Justice Project in Spokane is at 1702 W. Broadway Avenue and handles family law cases for low-income residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn more. You can also search for a private attorney at wsba.org. Self-help guides are available at washingtonlawhelp.org and all official court forms are at courts.wa.gov.

Note: The Inland Empire Legal Aid Volunteer Lawyers Program can also connect Spokane County residents with free or low-cost legal help for dissolution matters.

Cities in Spokane County

All cities and communities in Spokane County file dissolution cases at the Spokane County Superior Court in the city of Spokane.

Other communities in Spokane County include Cheney, Medical Lake, Airway Heights, Liberty Lake, and many unincorporated areas. All dissolution cases go through Spokane County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Spokane County. File your dissolution in the county where you reside.