Find Divorce Records in Longview
Longview divorce records are filed and maintained at the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso. If you need to look up a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a decree, or check the status of a pending divorce, the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk is where you go. Longview has a population of roughly 42,000 and is the largest city in Cowlitz County. Dissolution filings for Longview residents have gone through the Cowlitz County court system for decades, and the clerk there holds the official case files. You can search cases online through the Odyssey Portal or the statewide case search tool.
Longview Overview
Where Longview Divorce Cases Are Filed
If you live in Longview and want to file for dissolution, you go to Cowlitz County Superior Court. The courthouse is not in Longview -- it's in Kelso, the county seat, which is just a few miles away. The Hall of Justice is at 312 SW 1st Avenue, Kelso, WA 98626. The Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk is in that building and manages all official case files for divorce, probate, adoption, and civil matters.
Longview city government is separate from the county court. The City of Longview City Clerk handles city records -- council minutes, ordinances, public records requests -- but not dissolution filings. If you need a copy of a divorce decree or want to look up a case from a Longview dissolution, contact the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk at 360-577-3016.
The City of Longview operates under a Council-Manager form of government. City departments do not handle dissolution filings -- those go to Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso.
| Office | Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Hall of Justice 312 SW 1st Avenue Kelso, WA 98626 |
| Phone | 360-577-3016 |
| Website | co.cowlitz.wa.us |
How to Search Longview Divorce Records
You can search for dissolution records tied to Longview using several tools. The Odyssey Portal provides public access to case records for Washington Superior Courts, including Cowlitz County. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party names. For full document copies, you need to contact the clerk.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is another option. It covers multiple courts statewide and updates every 24 hours. Note that this tool is for reference only -- it's not the official record. For official purposes, always get copies directly from the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk.
The Washington State Courts Case Locator is a third statewide search tool. It pulls from municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts and provides case numbers, party names, and filing dates. It doesn't show full document images. To get a certified copy, you go to the court where the case was filed.
For older divorce records, the Washington State Digital Archives has dissolution records contributed by county clerks across the state. Search by county and the keyword "divorce" to see which Cowlitz County records are available. Some historical records have been transferred to the archives.
Note: Court records requests to the Cowlitz County clerk should include the case number and names of both parties for faster processing.
Cowlitz County Superior Court
The Cowlitz County Superior Court handles all family law matters for Longview and the rest of Cowlitz County. This includes divorce, legal separation, parenting plans, child support, adoption, and probate. It's the only court in the county with jurisdiction over dissolution cases. The clerk maintains the official case files and can produce certified copies of decrees and other filed documents.
The Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso processes all dissolution cases for Longview residents. The court is just a few miles from Longview's city center.
Cowlitz County also has a Courthouse Facilitator who can help self-represented litigants with family law forms and procedures. The facilitator is on the second floor of the Hall of Justice and can be reached through the clerk's office at 360-577-3016. The facilitator reviews paperwork for completeness, explains court procedures, and can refer people to local legal aid. The facilitator cannot give legal advice or represent anyone in court. People represented by attorneys are not eligible for facilitator services.
Washington law requires filing under RCW Chapter 26.09. The state is no-fault, meaning the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You don't prove fault. One spouse simply states the marriage cannot be repaired, and the court proceeds from there.
The Divorce Filing Process
The process starts when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk's office. The other spouse must be served. If both agree on everything, they can file an agreed decree after the mandatory 90-day waiting period. Contested cases may require hearings and possibly a trial before the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution.
Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed here. There's no minimum time you must live in Cowlitz County before filing. You just need to meet the state residency rule.
If children are involved, the court requires a parenting plan. Child support is calculated using state guidelines under RCW Chapter 26.19. Both parents' incomes, the number of children, and other factors go into that calculation. Cases with children may also require attendance at a parenting seminar before the court finalizes the decree.
Every document filed -- petition, financial declaration, parenting plan, motions, orders -- becomes part of the case record and part of the public divorce record. Once the decree is signed and filed, it's a public document you can get a certified copy of from the clerk.
The Washington State Department of Health can issue a Certificate of Dissolution, but the full divorce decree comes from the county superior court clerk where the case was filed. The DOH certificate is useful for name changes and other administrative purposes.
City of Longview Public Records
The City of Longview has a separate public records process for city records. The City Clerk at 1525 Broadway, Longview, WA 98632 handles requests for council minutes, city ordinances, permits, and other municipal documents. These are not court records. Public records requests can go to the City Clerk by mail, email, or in person during business hours.
The City of Longview departments directory covers city services from planning and finance to public works and the library. Court records for dissolution cases are handled by Cowlitz County Superior Court, not city departments.
The Washington Department of Health also maintains divorce certificates from 1968 to present. A certificate of dissolution is different from a decree -- the certificate confirms the divorce happened, but it doesn't include the terms. The DOH vital records page has information on ordering. Fees start at $25 per copy. If your divorce was finalized within the past five months, the record may not have reached the DOH yet, so check with the county clerk first.
Legal Resources in Longview
Longview residents who need help with a dissolution case have several places to turn. Northwest Justice Project provides free legal help to low-income people across Washington. Call 888-201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to see if you qualify. They handle family law cases and can assist with forms and representation in some cases.
The Cowlitz County Courthouse Facilitator is another option. This free service helps self-represented litigants with forms and procedural questions. You can reach the facilitator through the clerk's office at 360-577-3016. The facilitator can review your paperwork before you file and explain how hearings work. They can also refer you to local legal aid and social services. The clerk's office accepts cash, checks, and money orders for copy and filing fees.
WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has free guides and instructions for people filing without a lawyer. All official court forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms. The Washington State Bar Association offers a statewide referral service at 206-443-9722 if you want to hire a private attorney.
Cowlitz County Divorce Records
Longview is in Cowlitz County, and all dissolution filings for city residents go through the Cowlitz County Superior Court. For complete information on the court, clerk contact details, and self-help resources, visit the Cowlitz County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
Vancouver is a major city near Longview and also has Washington divorce records available through its county court.