Find Divorce Decree Records in Whitman County

Whitman County divorce decree records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Colfax, Washington. You can search dissolution cases through the statewide Washington Courts portal, visit the clerk in person, or submit a request by mail. Whitman County is in the eastern part of Washington State and is home to Washington State University in Pullman. The county clerk holds dissolution records going back to 1890. If you need to search for a divorce decree, get a certified copy, or understand the filing process, this page covers the key details for Whitman County.

Whitman County Superior Court Clerk

The Whitman County Superior Court Clerk in Colfax holds all dissolution case files for the county. The office is in the courthouse at 400 North Main Street. Staff can locate records by party name or case number and process requests for certified copies. Dissolution records go back to 1890, making this one of the more complete historical record sets in eastern Washington.

Whitman County is a smaller rural county with a straightforward records request process. You can go in person, call, or mail your request. The county also participates in the statewide Washington Courts case search system, so basic case information is available online without having to call or visit. In-person requests are handled the same day in most cases. Mail requests take about one to two weeks.

The Washington State Courts directory for Whitman County has up-to-date contact details and links to the court's public docket. This is a good reference if the clerk's office number or hours have changed.

The Whitman County government website provides access to the Superior Court Clerk, the fee schedule, and other county services related to dissolution records.

Start here when you need contact details for the clerk or want to download the current fee schedule before submitting a request.

The Whitman County Courts page lists both the Superior Court and District Court, with contact information and links to court resources.

This page confirms court locations and hours for in-person visits to request dissolution records.

The Washington State Courts directory for Whitman County gives you a direct link to the public case search portal and court contact details from the state's official source.

Use the statewide directory to verify court information or as a starting point if the county website is temporarily unavailable.

Searching Whitman County Divorce Decrees

The Washington Courts public case search is the main online tool for looking up dissolution records in Whitman County. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. Results show case details including filing date, parties, and case status. The portal does not show full document text, but it confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number you need for a formal records request.

The Washington State Digital Archives is another source worth checking, especially for older finalized cases. This state archive holds records from courts across Washington, including Whitman County. You can search by name and filter by county. Older divorce decrees from the 1900s may only be available through this archive or by visiting the clerk in person.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 400 North Main Street in Colfax. The office is open Monday through Friday. Bring whatever details you have about the case, including the full names of both parties and an approximate year of filing. The clerk can search by name or case number. Basic copies cost $0.50 per page.

You can also submit a mail request. Send your written request to P.O. Box 390, Colfax, WA 99111. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year, and your return address. Prepay for copies if the amount is known, or wait for the clerk to contact you with the total. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks.

Note: Whitman County records go back to 1890 for dissolution and 1873 for marriage. Not all older files are digitized, so historical requests may require a visit or correspondence with the clerk.

Whitman County Divorce Decree Fees

Whitman County maintains a detailed fee schedule that was updated in July 2025. The filing fee for a dissolution or legal separation is $364. This is the same statewide base fee used across most Washington counties. The petitioner pays this fee when submitting the Petition for Dissolution. If you cannot afford it, a fee waiver is available based on financial hardship.

Copy fees at the Whitman County clerk's office:

• Printed copies: $0.50 per page
• Digital copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $5 for the first page, $1 each additional page
• Authenticated or exemplified copies: $6 plus $2 per page plus the certified fee
• Audio or video of a hearing: $25 per hearing
• Records search fee: $30 per hour or less

Other fees you may encounter include $30 for ex-parte order service, $56 for modification of a parenting plan, and $15 for notary services. The Family Law Facilitator charges $30 for the first hour and $20 for each additional half hour. These fees are set by the county and can change, so check the Whitman County fee schedule before you submit payment.

The Whitman County Health Department handles vital records including birth and death certificates. Their office is at 1205 SE Professional Mall Blvd in Pullman. Phone: (509) 332-6752. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy. Death certificates cost $20 per copy. These are separate from dissolution records held at the clerk's office.

Dissolution Filing Process in Whitman County

Filing for dissolution in Whitman County follows Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons with the clerk. The filing fee of $364 is due at that time. Once filed, the case is assigned a number and the 90-day waiting period begins after service on the respondent.

Washington is a no-fault state. Under RCW 26.09.030, the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing. Either spouse can file, and the other spouse cannot prevent the dissolution from moving forward.

If the couple has minor children, a parenting seminar is required before the case can be finalized. This is a standard requirement in Whitman County and across Washington State. The seminar covers how dissolution affects children and how to create a workable parenting plan. The clerk can tell you which seminars are approved in the county.

Property division in Washington follows community property rules. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides all community property in a just and equitable manner. Property earned or acquired during the marriage is typically community property. Assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance during the marriage are generally separate property. The final decree sets out the exact division, and that document becomes part of the permanent court record.

What Whitman County Divorce Decrees Contain

Dissolution records at the Whitman County clerk's office contain multiple documents. The Petition for Dissolution is the first filing. It states the grounds for dissolution, lists both parties, and outlines what the petitioner is asking the court to grant. The Summons notifies the respondent that a case has been filed. Financial declarations from each spouse document income, assets, and debts. All of these become part of the court file.

The most important document in any dissolution file is the Decree of Dissolution. This is the signed court order that officially ends the marriage. It covers property and debt division, the parenting plan and residential schedule if children are involved, child support amounts, spousal maintenance if ordered, and any authorized name change. The judge's signature and the court seal make it a legal document you can use for official purposes.

Whitman County has dissolution records dating back to 1890. That is a long historical record set for a county of its size. If you are searching for older records, the clerk's office may need additional time to locate the file. The Washington State Digital Archives may also have older digitized records that can be found more quickly online.

Most dissolution records at the Whitman County clerk are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies. Some exhibits that were sealed by court order are not available to the general public without a separate court order authorizing release.

Legal Help for Divorce in Whitman County

The Northwest Justice Project provides free or low-cost legal help to qualifying residents of Whitman County. Their CLEAR line is 1-888-201-1014. They handle family law cases including dissolution, custody, child support, and protection orders. You can learn more about eligibility and services at nwjustice.org.

Washington State University is located in Pullman, within Whitman County. The university's law school does not operate in Pullman, but the presence of WSU means there are sometimes legal clinics or student resources available locally. Check with WSU for any current programs. For statewide self-help resources, washingtonlawhelp.org has plain-language guides, court forms, and step-by-step instructions for dissolution.

The Washington State Bar Association can connect you with an attorney. Search their directory at wsba.org. All official court forms, including dissolution petitions, parenting plans, and financial declarations, are available free at courts.wa.gov/forms. These forms work in every county, including Whitman.

The Family Law Facilitator at the Whitman County courthouse offers limited guidance for self-represented parties. The facilitator charges $30 for the first hour and $20 for each additional half hour. This service can help you understand the process and fill out forms correctly, though it is not a substitute for legal advice from an attorney.

Cities in Whitman County

All dissolution cases in Whitman County are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Colfax, no matter where in the county you live.

Other communities in Whitman County include Colfax, Palouse, Rosalia, Tekoa, and LaCrosse. All dissolution filings for residents of any of these towns go through the Whitman County Superior Court Clerk in Colfax.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Whitman County. File your dissolution case in the county where you live at the time of filing.