Find Divorce Records in Kirkland

Kirkland divorce records are part of the King County Superior Court system. If you need to search dissolution cases from Kirkland, get a copy of a Decree of Dissolution, or find out the status of a case, the King County clerk's office handles those requests. Kirkland sits on the eastern shore of Lake Washington in King County, with around 95,000 residents. The Kirkland Municipal Court handles misdemeanors and traffic matters but does not touch divorce or family law. Those cases go only to King County Superior Court in Seattle or the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Where Kirkland Residents File for Divorce

Kirkland residents file for dissolution at the King County Superior Court. There are two clerk's office locations: the main courthouse at 516 Third Avenue, Room E609, in Seattle, and the Maleng Regional Justice Center at 401 Fourth Avenue North, Room 2C, in Kent. Both locations accept filings and process records requests. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with limited service from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

Since Kirkland is in the northern part of King County, you might also consider whether the Bellevue or Seattle locations are more convenient than Kent. All three handle King County cases and can process your paperwork. Call the clerk's main line at (206) 296-9300 to ask which location works best for your situation or to confirm what documents you need to bring.

The Washington State Courts King County directory provides contact information for judges and court staff handling Kirkland dissolution cases. The directory is useful when you need to reach a specific judge's staff or a court division for scheduling questions.

Kirkland Municipal Court and Divorce Records

The Kirkland Municipal Court is at 11740 NE 118th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034. The main phone is 425-587-3160. The court handles criminal misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and non-criminal violations for Kirkland and several nearby cities including Clyde Hill, Woodinville, Medina, Hunts Point, and Yarrow Point. Counter hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

This court does not handle divorce cases. If you contact the Kirkland Municipal Court about a dissolution, they will direct you to King County Superior Court. Likewise, the City of Kirkland does not process marriage or divorce paperwork at city hall. All of that goes through King County.

What the municipal court does handle is certified copies of municipal court records and records requests for cases within its jurisdiction. For those, you can contact the court directly at court@kirklandwa.gov.

The City of Kirkland Municipal Court handles misdemeanor and traffic matters for Kirkland and surrounding cities, but not divorce cases.

Dissolution filings for Kirkland residents go through King County Superior Court, not the municipal court.

How to Search Kirkland Dissolution Records

The easiest way to search Kirkland dissolution records online is through the Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal. King County Superior Court uses the Odyssey case management system. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. Document images are not available online, but you can confirm a case exists and get the case number to request copies.

The Washington State Courts name and case search covers courts statewide and updates every 24 hours. It's a good option if you're not sure which county handled a case. The Washington State Courts case locator is another statewide tool that includes superior, district, municipal, and appellate courts. Both are reference tools. The official court record is held at the King County clerk's office.

For older records, the Washington State Archives Digital Archives may have what you need. Many county clerks transfer older divorce records to the state archives. You can search by collection type and narrow by county. Look for the King County divorce records collection to find cases that may have been archived.

In-person searches are also an option. Go to either King County clerk location with the full name of at least one party and the approximate year the case was filed. Staff can look up cases and make copies on the spot. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.

Kirkland City Public Records Requests

The City of Kirkland handles its own public records separately from court records. The Kirkland public records request page lets you submit and track requests online. The City Clerk is the designated public records officer and can be reached at 425-587-3190 or PublicRecords@kirklandwa.gov. The city typically responds within five business days.

City records cover things like council agendas, planning documents, code enforcement records, and police records. The city explicitly notes it does not process marriage or divorce paperwork. If you need dissolution records, that request goes to King County. If you need police records related to a domestic matter, that goes through the Kirkland Police Department separately. For planning and building records, contact the Community Development Department. Being specific in your request helps, include date ranges, keywords, case numbers, and addresses when you have them.

Certified city records cost a minimum of $5.00 per certified document plus copying fees. Photocopies are $0.15 per page for paper records. For large or complex requests, the city may ask for clarification or provide an estimated completion date before moving forward.

The City of Kirkland Public Records Request portal lets residents submit and track requests for city records online.

Dissolution records are not held by the city. Direct those requests to the King County Superior Court Clerk.

Divorce Fees and Legal Help in Kirkland

The King County filing fee for a Dissolution of Marriage is $364.00, effective July 27, 2025, under RCW 36.18.020 and RCW 36.18.016. A Counter Petition in a Domestic Relations Action costs $310.00. All fees must be paid before the clerk accepts your filing per RCW 36.18.060. If you can't pay, you can file a Motion and Order to Waive Civil Fees and Surcharges. Submit the waiver request through the KC Script Portal online, in person at either clerk's location, or by mail.

The King County Family Law Facilitator Program provides free help for people handling their own dissolution cases. Walk-in help desks operate at the King County Courthouse in Seattle, Room W-280, and at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, Room 1D, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Facilitators can review paperwork for completeness and help you schedule hearings. They can't give legal advice but can explain how the process works. You can also book an appointment online through the Family Law Information Center portal or email facilitators@kingcounty.gov. The Seattle office line is 206-263-3542.

Other resources for Kirkland residents include the King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinic at 206-267-7070, open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, and Northwest Justice Project at (888) 201-1014. The Washington State Bar Association referral line is (206) 443-9722. Official court forms are at courts.wa.gov and self-help guides are at washingtonlawhelp.org.

Washington requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served before a dissolution can be finalized. This applies to all Kirkland cases filed in King County Superior Court. If children are part of the case, King County requires both parents to complete a parenting seminar before the case closes.

Divorce Certificates for Kirkland Cases

The Washington State Department of Health holds divorce records from 1968 to the present. They can issue a certificate of dissolution, sometimes called a divorce certificate. This is different from a divorce decree. The DOH certificate is a summary document. The decree is the full court order with all the terms. DOH certified copies cost $25.00 each and fees are nonrefundable. Other fees may apply depending on shipping method.

For a Kirkland divorce decree, go to the King County Superior Court Clerk, not DOH. The clerk has the actual case file. It can take up to five months after a dissolution is final for the clerk to send the record to DOH. If your case is recent, contact the King County clerk directly for the most current documents.

King County Divorce Records

Kirkland is in King County. All dissolution filings go through the King County Superior Court. For more details on the county court system, fee schedules, and additional self-help resources, visit the King County divorce records page.

View King County Divorce Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Kirkland. Each one files dissolution cases through its respective county court.