Olympia Divorce Records
Olympia divorce records are filed and held at the Thurston County Superior Court, which is the court that serves Olympia and all of Thurston County. As Washington's state capital, Olympia is the county seat, and the Thurston County Courthouse is located there on Lakeridge Drive. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, or find out the status of a pending family law matter, the Thurston County Superior Court Clerk is where to start. Washington State also provides online tools to search case information by name or case number without visiting the courthouse in person.
Olympia Overview
Where to File for Divorce in Olympia
All dissolution cases for Olympia residents go through the Thurston County Superior Court. The courthouse is at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia. Clerk's Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk's Office maintains divorce, dissolution, and other domestic relations case files for all of Thurston County. Copy requests can be submitted in person at the courthouse or by mail using the copy request form on the website.
The Clerk's Office charges $0.50 per page for uncertified copies and $5.00 for the first page of certified copies. Each additional page of a certified document is $1.00. Mail requests must include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office accepts cash, check, or money order. Case numbers and party names are required to process copy requests efficiently. Electronic copies may be available for recent filings made through the e-filing system. Older records may be stored in a vault and require additional processing time.
| Office | Thurston County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Olympia, WA 98502 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | thurstoncountywa.gov - Obtaining Copies |
The Clerk cannot provide legal advice but can direct you to family law facilitator services. For the full procedures and contact details for the Thurston County Clerk, visit the page for obtaining copies of documents filed in Thurston County Superior Court.
Olympia Municipal Court and Court Transition
Olympia previously operated its own Municipal Court, but that court has transitioned court and probation services to Thurston County. The city's website now directs visitors to the Thurston County District Court for current case information. The former Olympia Municipal Court handled misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations. It never had jurisdiction over divorce or family law matters.
The Olympia Municipal Court page explains the transition to Thurston County District Court for misdemeanor and traffic matters. Divorce and family law cases have always been handled by Thurston County Superior Court and continue to be filed there.
As of the transition date, all new misdemeanor and traffic cases are filed in Thurston County District Court. The city website includes links to Thurston County District Court resources and probation services. Divorce and domestic relations filings continue to be handled exclusively by Thurston County Superior Court, unchanged by the municipal court transition.
Olympia Municipal Court Contact Information
For legacy cases and questions about the former Olympia Municipal Court, Court Administration and Parking Services can be reached at 360-753-8312. The fax number is 360-753-8775, and the general court email is court@ci.olympia.wa.us. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Municipal Court Probation Department is at 360-753-8263.
The Olympia Municipal Court contact page lists hours and phone numbers for legacy case inquiries. The page confirms that civil legal matters including divorce should go to Thurston County Superior Court.
Court staff can answer questions about fines, fees, and court dates for legacy Olympia Municipal Court cases. The website also includes information about accessibility accommodations for court visitors. The contact page directs all civil legal matters, including divorce, to the appropriate county Superior Court. If you have a question about a dissolution case, the municipal court staff will tell you the same thing: go to Thurston County Superior Court.
City of Olympia and Public Records
The City of Olympia does not maintain divorce records or family law case files. The city's contact page at olympiawa.gov lists phone numbers and email addresses for all city departments. The City Clerk's Office handles requests for city council minutes, ordinances, and resolutions. The city's public records officer is reachable through the City Clerk's Office.
The City of Olympia government page provides contact information for all city departments. The page directs family law and divorce questions to Thurston County Superior Court.
The city offers online services for paying utilities, permits, and court fines. The contact directory is updated regularly to reflect current staff and departmental changes. Olympia residents with questions about dissolution records will be referred to Thurston County. The city encourages residents to use online portals for routine requests and payments where possible.
How to Search Olympia Dissolution Records
Washington State provides several tools for looking up divorce cases without a courthouse visit. These are useful for confirming that a case was filed and getting the case number. They don't provide document copies, but they tell you enough to make your copy request more efficient.
The Odyssey Portal gives public access to Superior Court case records, including those filed in Thurston County. Search by party name, case number, or attorney to find a case. The portal shows summaries, hearing dates, and party information. The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search covers all court types statewide and updates every 24 hours at 3:00 AM. Information there is reference material only. The Washington Courts Case Locator offers another statewide option with case numbers, parties, and filing dates.
For certified copies of the Decree of Dissolution or other filed documents, submit a request directly to the Thurston County Superior Court Clerk. Include the case number and both party names. Mail requests need to include payment and a return envelope. In-person requests can be processed at the courthouse on Lakeridge Drive during clerk hours.
For older cases, the Washington State Digital Archives holds records from county clerks across Washington, including divorce and superior court records. Search by county name and the word divorce to see what Thurston County records are available. For dissolution certificates rather than full decrees, the Washington State Department of Health holds records from 1968 forward. Certified copies of those certificates start at $25.00. Keep in mind the DOH does not have the full decree; that multi-page document is only at the county clerk.
Legal Help for Olympia Divorce Cases
Several resources are available to Olympia residents navigating a dissolution case. Thurston County Superior Court has a family law facilitator program for people filing without an attorney. Facilitators can review completed paperwork, explain court procedures, help schedule hearings, and calculate child support. They cannot give legal advice or fill out forms for you. Contact the Thurston County Superior Court to ask about current facilitator availability and scheduling.
Northwest Justice Project serves western Washington and handles family law matters for qualifying low-income residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org for eligibility information. The Washington State Bar Association lawyer referral service is at (206) 443-9722, and you can search their directory at wsba.org. Self-help guides and official court forms are available at WashingtonLawHelp and courts.wa.gov/forms.
Washington is a no-fault state. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You don't need to prove fault. Either spouse can state that the marriage cannot be repaired, and the court will proceed. One spouse must be a Washington resident or stationed here with the military at the time of filing. After the petition and service, Washington requires a 90-day waiting period before finalization. Cases where both spouses agree on all terms can resolve as an agreed decree. Contested cases may need mediation or a hearing.
Note: If children are involved in your Olympia dissolution case, you will need a parenting plan. Child support in Washington is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19 using both parents' incomes, number of children, and other factors. The Thurston County facilitator can help with that calculation if you bring income documentation to your appointment.
Thurston County Divorce Records
Olympia is in Thurston County, and all dissolution filings go through the Thurston County Superior Court located in the city. For a full overview of the county court system, fee details, how to get copies, and additional local resources, visit the Thurston County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Olympia also file dissolution cases through their county Superior Courts.