Burien Divorce Records
Divorce records for Burien residents are held at the King County Superior Court, which handles all dissolution filings for the city. If you need to search for a case, get a copy of a decree, or find out how to start a filing, the King County Superior Court Clerk is the right place to go. Burien is a city in southwest King County with a population of around 55,000 people. Cases are filed and stored in Seattle, with a second clerk location in Kent. Both the online case search tools and in-person requests give you access to Burien dissolution records from the county's system.
Burien Overview
Where Burien Residents File for Divorce
Burien is part of King County, so all dissolution cases go through the King County Superior Court. The family law division handles every divorce, legal separation, and parenting plan filed by county residents. The main Clerk's Office is in downtown Seattle at the King County Courthouse. A second location at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent serves residents in the southern part of the county, which is more convenient for many Burien residents.
The King County Superior Court Clerk maintains all official records for superior court cases. That includes divorce decrees, petitions, financial declarations, parenting plans, and any other documents filed with the court. Certified and non-certified copies of these records are available from the Clerk's Office. You can request them in person, by mail, or through the county's online portal for registered users.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 516 Third Avenue, Room E609 Seattle, WA 98104 |
| South Location | Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 Fourth Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
Certified copies from the King County Clerk cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Non-certified copies are $0.25 per page. If you send a mail request and do not know the case number, the clerk may charge a $30.00 research fee to locate the file. Mail requests require a $10.00 deposit and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The Burien City Clerk at Burien City Hall, 400 SW 152nd Street, handles city records and public records requests for city documents. The City Clerk does not have divorce decrees or superior court records. Those must come from the King County Superior Court Clerk.
How to Find Burien Divorce Records
You have a few ways to search for dissolution records tied to Burien residents. Online tools give you basic case details. Going to the courthouse or mailing a request lets you get copies of the actual documents.
The Washington State Courts Case Locator is a free statewide search tool. You can search by party name or case number across all Superior Courts in the state, including King County. Search results show case numbers, party names, and filing dates. The database updates about every 24 hours. Keep in mind it does not include document images or full file contents.
The Odyssey Portal is another option for King County case records. It shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party names for cases filed in participating courts. Most Washington counties use the Odyssey system. For the full case file or a certified copy of the decree, you still need to contact the Clerk directly.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search tool also lets you look up individuals across multiple courts. It updates at 3:00 a.m. daily. Results are for reference only and do not replace the official court record. You can use the Washington State Digital Archives for older records. Many county clerks have given copies of their divorce records to the Archives. You can search there by county name and case details for records going back decades.
For Burien cases specifically, the Washington State Courts King County Directory lists judges, clerks, and court staff. It is a good reference if you need to find the right contact for a specific case or need to verify current courthouse information.
The Washington State Courts directory for King County lists all judicial officers and clerks serving Burien dissolution cases.
Filing for Divorce in Burien
Burien residents follow Washington State law to file for dissolution under RCW Chapter 26.09. Since Burien is in King County, you file at the King County Superior Court. Every step of the process creates records that become part of your case file and are maintained by the County Clerk.
Washington is a pure no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove any wrongdoing. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." Under RCW 26.09.030, either spouse must be a resident of Washington or a member of the armed forces stationed here at the time of filing. There is no minimum residency period for the county itself.
The process starts when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. The other spouse must be served with these papers. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can file an agreed decree, which can move faster than a contested case. If there are disputes over property, debts, or children, the case may require mediation or a hearing before a judge issues the Decree of Dissolution.
Washington requires a 90-day waiting period from the date the petition is filed and served before a dissolution can be finalized. This wait applies to all cases, even those where both spouses fully agree. Cases involving children also require a parenting plan and a completed parenting seminar.
The King County Family Law Facilitator service at kingcounty.gov helps self-represented people from Burien at walk-up help desks in Seattle and Kent. Walk-in hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Facilitators can review your completed forms, explain court procedures, help you find the right documents, and compute child support. They cannot fill out forms or give legal advice. You must complete the Family Law Orientation before scheduling an appointment.
Burien City Records and Public Records Requests
The Burien City Clerk's Office manages city government records under the Washington Public Records Act. This office is not involved in divorce or family law cases, but it is useful to understand the difference between city records and court records when you are looking for documents.
The City of Burien City Clerk office handles city government records and public records requests but does not maintain court records or divorce decrees.
City Hall is at 400 SW 152nd Street, Suite 300, Burien, WA 98166. The main phone number is (206) 241-4647. At this time the Clerk's Office accepts service by appointment only. If you need city records like council minutes, ordinances, or municipal code documents, this is the right place. For divorce decrees and superior court case records, you must go to the King County Superior Court Clerk.
Note: The King County District Court South Division at 601 SW 149th Street in Burien handles misdemeanors, small claims, and protection orders for the area. It does not have jurisdiction over divorce or family law matters.
Divorce Filing Fees in Burien
The filing fee to start a dissolution case in King County is approximately $350. This amount includes various statutory surcharges for court operations, technology, and facilities. Fees can change, so call the clerk at (206) 296-9300 before you file to confirm the current amount.
Other costs you may encounter include service of process by sheriff at around $40 to $60, or a private process server which typically costs $50 to $100. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask for a waiver. File a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. People who receive public assistance or whose household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. Official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms.
If you need a certified copy of your divorce decree from the Washington State Department of Health, fees start at $25 per copy. The DOH holds Washington marriage and divorce certificates from 1968 to the present. Keep in mind it can take up to five months after a divorce for the county clerk to send the record to the DOH. If your divorce was recent, go directly to the King County Superior Court Clerk instead.
Legal Help for Burien Residents
If you need help with a dissolution case in Burien, several organizations serve King County residents. Some provide free services based on income. Others offer reduced-fee consultations or referrals to attorneys.
Northwest Justice Project handles family law cases for low-income residents across King County. Call their CLEAR line at (888) 201-1014 to ask about eligibility. Their site at nwjustice.org explains how to apply. The King County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association statewide referral line is (206) 443-9722, and you can search their directory at wsba.org.
WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has step-by-step guides for people filing without an attorney. All official court forms are available free at courts.wa.gov/forms. If both spouses agree on all issues and there are no complex disputes, filing without a lawyer is a realistic option for many Burien residents.
King County Divorce Records
Burien is in King County, and all dissolution filings for the city go through the King County Superior Court. For more details on the court system, office locations, search tools, and local resources for King County, visit the county records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Burien. Each files dissolution cases through its own county's court system.