Kent Divorce Records
Kent divorce records are filed and maintained through the King County Superior Court. Residents of Kent who need to search dissolution cases, get copies of a Decree of Dissolution, or look up filing details can access records through the King County clerk's office or online through the state court system. Kent is located in south King County and has a population of roughly 140,000 people, making it one of the larger cities in Washington. Most family law matters for Kent residents go through two King County clerk locations: the main courthouse in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center right here in Kent.
Kent Overview
Where to File for Divorce in Kent
Kent residents file for dissolution at the King County Superior Court. Unlike many cities where you have to travel to a central courthouse, Kent has its own clerk's office location at the Maleng Regional Justice Center. This is the closer option for most south King County residents. The clerk there handles filings, copies, and fee payments just like the main Seattle office.
The Maleng Regional Justice Center is at 401 Fourth Avenue North, Room 2C, Kent, WA 98032. It operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with limited service from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. during the lunch window. You can call the King County clerk at (206) 296-9300 for questions about your case or to find out what documents to bring.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk (Kent Location) |
|---|---|
| Address | Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 Fourth Avenue North, Room 2C Kent, WA 98032 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (limited service 12:15-1:15 PM) |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
The Washington State Courts directory lists contact information for all judges, clerks, and court staff serving King County. It's a good starting point if you need to reach a specific division or judge. The Kent Municipal Court does not handle divorce cases. Those go to the Superior Court only.
King County Superior Court Clerk Catherine Cornwall oversees both locations. The clerk's office manages all case files, processes copy requests, handles fee payments, and maintains court records for dissolution cases across the county. If you filed your case in Kent, all paperwork stays in the King County system regardless of which location you used.
The Washington State Courts King County directory lists judges and clerks serving Kent and all of King County.
Use this directory to find contact information for specific court staff handling King County dissolution cases.
Search Kent Divorce Records Online
There are several ways to search dissolution records for Kent cases. The fastest online option is the Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal. It covers King County Superior Court and lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. It does not provide document images, but it tells you if a case exists and gives you the basic details.
The Washington State Courts name and case search is another option. It updates every 24 hours and covers courts across the state including Superior Courts where divorce cases are filed. You can search by party name or case number. Keep in mind the results are reference material, not the official record. For the official record you need to contact the King County clerk directly.
The Washington State Courts case locator covers municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts statewide. It gives case numbers, party names, and filing dates but not document images. For certified copies of a dissolution decree, you need to request them from the King County clerk at either the Kent or Seattle location. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that.
Older cases may be found at the Washington State Archives Digital Archives. Many county clerks have sent copies of older divorce records to the state archives. You can search by collection and enter search terms including a county name and the keyword divorce to see what's available for King County.
Note: Case data in state court search systems updates approximately every 24 hours, so very recent filings may not appear right away.
Kent Dissolution Filing Fees
The King County Superior Court fee schedule became effective July 27, 2025. The filing fee for a Dissolution of Marriage is $364.00 under RCW 36.18.020 and RCW 36.18.016. This covers the base filing and required surcharges. A Counter Petition in a Domestic Relations Action costs $310.00. All civil filing fees must be paid in advance per RCW 36.18.060.
Other costs you may run into include service of process fees, parenting seminar fees if children are involved, and copy fees. Certified copies from the clerk cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Uncertified copies prepared by staff are $0.50 per page. Self-service photocopies at the clerk's office are $0.15 per page. Electronic working copies are $40.00 per request.
If you can't afford the filing fee, you can ask for a waiver. File a Motion and Order to Waive Civil Fees and Surcharges. Fee waiver requests can be submitted online through the KC Script Portal, in person at the Kent or Seattle clerk's office, or by mail. You generally qualify if you receive public assistance or your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level.
The King County Family Law Facilitator Program offers free help desk walk-ins at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, Room 1D, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Facilitators can review your paperwork for completeness and help you schedule hearings. They can't give legal advice or fill out forms for you, but they are a solid resource for people handling their own cases. The Kent facilitator office can be reached at 206-477-2781.
The King County Superior Court Family Law Facilitator Program has a walk-in help desk at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
Walk-ins are available at the Kent location Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. No appointment needed for basic help desk questions.
Divorce Certificates vs. Divorce Decrees in Kent
There's a real difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree, and it matters for what you can get and where. The Washington State Department of Health holds marriage and divorce records from 1968 to the present. They can issue a certificate of dissolution, also called a divorce certificate, after the county clerk's office sends them the record. Certified or noncertified informational copies cost $25.00 each, and fees are nonrefundable.
The decree is a different document. It's the full multi-page court order that lays out the terms of the dissolution, including property division, custody, and support. The Department of Health does not have decrees. For your decree, you contact the King County Superior Court Clerk where the case was finalized. If you were divorced within the last five months, the clerk may not have sent the record to DOH yet, so go straight to the clerk's office for anything recent.
Note: It can take up to five months from the date of your divorce for the clerk to send records to the state Department of Health.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Kent
Many Kent residents handle their own dissolution cases. It works best when both spouses agree on everything and there are no major disputes over property or children. Washington has strong self-help resources specifically for this situation. You don't need a lawyer to file, but you do need to follow the court's rules and use the right forms.
Official court forms are available at courts.wa.gov. The site has petition forms, summons templates, financial declaration forms, and every other document the court requires for a dissolution. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has step-by-step guides for self-represented filers. Northwest Justice Project at nwjustice.org serves low-income residents and can be reached at (888) 201-1014.
The King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinic offers free 30 to 60-minute consultations with attorneys. Call 206-267-7070, open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Self-help packets for divorce, legal separation, modifications, and contempt are available for purchase through the clerk's office. The King County Law Library in Seattle also runs a walk-in family law forms drafting lab on Tuesday afternoons. If children are part of the case, King County requires both parents to complete a parenting seminar.
King County Divorce Records
Kent is in King County. All dissolution filings go through the King County Superior Court, which has a clerk's office at the Maleng Regional Justice Center right in Kent. For more details on the county court system, fees, and resources, visit the King County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Kent. Each one files dissolution cases through the county court that covers their area.