Kennewick Divorce Records Lookup
Kennewick divorce records are filed with and maintained by the Benton County Superior Court. Kennewick is the largest city in Benton County and part of the Tri-Cities area in southeastern Washington. All dissolution of marriage cases for Kennewick residents go through the Benton County Superior Court Clerk. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, or look up case status, the clerk's office is where to start. You can search online through the statewide tools or go to the courthouse in Kennewick in person.
Kennewick Overview
Where to File for Divorce in Kennewick
Kennewick residents file for dissolution at Benton County Superior Court. The courthouse and clerk's office are at 7122 W Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick, WA 99336. This is convenient since the court is located within the city itself, unlike some counties where residents have to travel to a different city. The clerk handles filing and management of dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and parenting plan cases for all of Benton County.
Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee set by state statute. The clerk's office accepts filings during regular business hours and can provide case status information. Sealed or confidential records require a court order for release. Public access to case files is governed by Washington court rules and applicable confidentiality laws. The clerk also manages financial transactions and trust accounts related to court cases.
| Office | Benton County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7122 W Okanogan Place, Building A Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Facilitator Phone | (509) 736-3071 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
| Website | bentonwa.org/Superior_Court |
Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick processes all dissolution cases for Kennewick residents. The court is located at 7122 W Okanogan Place and handles family law, civil, felony, and probate matters for Benton County.
Benton County Court Facilitator Program
Benton County Superior Court runs a Court Facilitator program specifically for self-represented litigants in family law cases. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the clerk's office at (509) 736-3071. The facilitator can explain court procedures, help you identify the right forms for your case, and review your paperwork for completeness before you file. This is a useful resource for Kennewick residents who plan to handle their own dissolution without an attorney.
Like all court facilitator programs in Washington, the Benton County facilitator cannot give legal advice, fill out forms for you, or represent you in court. The facilitator can help calculate child support worksheets using the Washington State Child Support Guidelines. Parties who already have attorneys are not eligible for the program. Self-represented litigants are encouraged to use this service before filing any family law action in the county.
Note: Fee waivers may be available for indigent litigants in certain family law matters. Ask the clerk's office about the process when you call to schedule your facilitator appointment.
Kennewick City Public Records
The City of Kennewick maintains its own public records separate from the court system. The city is committed to providing access to public records under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. Many commonly requested records are available online through the city's Public Records Online Search portal. The city also accepts formal public records requests for city and fire records.
Keep in mind that divorce records are court records, not city records. A public records request to the City of Kennewick will not get you a divorce decree or case information. For dissolution records, you need to contact the Benton County Superior Court Clerk. The city's records portal is for things like police department records, fire records, and traffic camera footage.
City of Kennewick Public Records Requests
The City of Kennewick's public records portal handles city-level record requests. Dissolution of marriage records are court records held by the Benton County Superior Court Clerk, not the city's records office.
Searching Kennewick Divorce Records Online
For online searches of Benton County Superior Court dissolution records, start with the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search. This statewide tool covers Superior Court cases across all counties, including Benton. You can search by party name or case number. Results update every 24 hours. The search results are reference material only. Actual copies of documents must come from the clerk.
The Washington State Odyssey Portal is another option. Most Washington counties use Odyssey as their case management system. You can search by name, case number, or attorney name. The portal shows case summaries, docket entries, and hearing information. Benton County Superior Court participates in this system.
The Washington Courts Case Locator searches across municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts. Divorce cases in Benton County are in Superior Court and can be found here using name or case number. The database updates approximately every 24 hours from clerk-entered information.
For older Kennewick dissolution records that predate the online systems, check the Washington State Digital Archives. Many county clerks have transferred older divorce records to the state archive. Search by the Divorce Records collection and filter by Benton County to see what's available.
State Divorce Certificates for Kennewick Cases
The Washington State Department of Health holds divorce records from 1968 to the present. These are certificates of dissolution, not the full court decree. A certificate is a short summary document issued by the state after the county clerk sends the record. The DOH does not hold divorce decrees. Those stay with the Benton County Superior Court Clerk.
Certified and non-certified informational copies from the Washington Department of Health start at $25. After a divorce is finalized, it can take up to five months for the county clerk to transmit the record to the state. For any case finalized in the past five months, contact the Benton County Clerk directly rather than DOH. The state certificate is useful for things like updating other records, but it doesn't replace the court decree if you need the specific terms of the dissolution.
Divorce Filing Process in Kennewick
Kennewick residents file for dissolution under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You don't need to show that either spouse did something wrong to justify the divorce. If one or both parties say the marriage can't be repaired, the court can proceed.
The filing process starts with a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons filed with the Benton County Clerk. The other spouse must be served with these documents or sign a Joinder. After service, Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. This waiting period applies to all cases, agreed or contested. Agreed cases still can't be finalized before 90 days. Contested cases may go through mediation or a trial before the judge enters the decree.
If children are involved, a parenting plan is required. Benton County likely also requires both parents to attend a parenting seminar. Child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19, which uses each parent's income, the number of children, and other factors to determine the amount. The Benton County Court Facilitator can assist self-represented litigants with the child support worksheet.
All official court forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms. Self-represented litigants in Kennewick are encouraged to use the facilitator program before filing. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income.
Benton County District Court in Kennewick
The Benton County District Court Kennewick Branch is also at 7122 W Okanogan Place, Suite A110, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone is (509) 735-8476. This court is a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and civil matters within its jurisdictional limits. The district court does not hear divorce cases. Those go to Benton County Superior Court, which is in the same building complex.
The district court serves as the court of limited jurisdiction for Kennewick, Prosser, Richland, and West Richland. Judges for the Kennewick branch include Jennifer Azure, James Bell, Dan Kathren, Terry Tanner, and John Ziobro. The court also provides interpreter services for people with limited English proficiency.
Legal Resources for Kennewick Residents
Several organizations provide legal help for dissolution cases in Benton County. Northwest Justice Project handles family law matters for income-qualified residents across Washington. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. The Washington State Bar Association offers a statewide lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722 and a searchable directory at wsba.org.
WashingtonLawHelp.org provides plain-language guides for self-represented litigants. All official dissolution forms are on the Washington Courts website. The Benton County Court Facilitator is also a practical resource for Kennewick residents who plan to file without an attorney. Schedule an appointment by calling (509) 736-3071.
Benton County Divorce Records
Kennewick is in Benton County, and all dissolution filings go through Benton County Superior Court. For more detail on the county court, records, and resources available to residents throughout Benton County, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These Tri-Cities communities are near Kennewick. Dissolution cases in this area go through Benton or Franklin County Superior Court depending on where you live.