Pasco Divorce Records Search

Pasco divorce records are maintained by the Franklin County Superior Court Clerk, located at the Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco. If you are looking for a dissolution case, need a certified copy of a decree, or want to confirm whether a divorce was finalized, the Franklin County Clerk is your starting point. Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County, so the courthouse is right in town. You can search online using state tools or visit the clerk in person. This page covers how to find divorce records, request copies, understand fees, and get help with a dissolution case in Pasco.

Where to File for Divorce in Pasco

Pasco residents file dissolution cases at the Franklin County Superior Court. The courthouse is located in Pasco at 1016 N. 4th Avenue. The Franklin County Clerk's Office handles all filings for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and other domestic relations cases. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Clerk accepts electronic filings through the state e-filing portal. You can also file in person or by mail. The office provides certified and uncertified copies of court documents upon request. Staff cannot give legal advice or help fill out your forms, but they can tell you what is required for filing and how to submit records requests.

The Franklin County Clerk manages court calendars, jury services, and financial transactions for the court. The clerk is an elected position serving a four-year term. Record retention and public access to court files are also part of the clerk's duties.

Franklin County Court Resources

The Franklin County Clerk handles all dissolution and family law case records for Pasco and the rest of Franklin County.

The Franklin County Clerk's Office is the primary source for certified copies of dissolution decrees, case lookups, and records requests related to Pasco.

The Pasco Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and city ordinance violations. It does not have jurisdiction over divorce or family law matters. Those go to Franklin County Superior Court. The Municipal Court directs questions about protection orders and domestic relations to the Superior Court.

Pasco Municipal Court is located at 1016 N. 4th Avenue, Building D. Call 509-545-3491 for municipal court questions. Divorce cases are not handled here.

The Franklin County Superior Court is the court where all dissolution cases in Pasco are processed. Judges and commissioners hear family law matters here.

Franklin County Superior Court handles divorce, custody, child support, and all other family law matters for Pasco residents.

How to Get Pasco Divorce Records

The Franklin County Superior Court Clerk Records Request Form is how you formally ask for copies of case documents. The form requires the case name, case number, and names of the parties. Uncertified copies cost $0.50 per page. Email copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page per document.

Mail requests go to the Franklin County Clerk at 1016 N. 4th Avenue B306, Pasco, WA 99301. Include a cashier's check or money order with your request. Personal checks are not accepted for mail-in requests. Also include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time is approximately seven business days. For older cases from 1983 or earlier, there is an additional $30.00 search fee.

For online searching, the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search allows you to search by party name or case number. Results update every 24 hours. The Odyssey Portal provides public access to case records for Washington Superior Courts, including Franklin County. Search by party name, case number, or attorney to find cases filed in Pasco. For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives may hold copies submitted by the Franklin County Clerk.

The Franklin County Clerk FAQ answers common questions about court records and procedures. It explains how to request copies, the fees involved, and what payment methods are accepted. The FAQ also covers how to access sealed or confidential records.

The Washington State Courts Case Locator searches across all court levels statewide. Results show case numbers, parties, and filing dates. Full document images are not available through the locator.

Filing for Dissolution in Pasco

Washington State governs dissolution under RCW Chapter 26.09. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing. Either spouse can state the marriage cannot be repaired, and the court will proceed.

Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in Washington at the time of filing. There is no minimum county residency period. If you or your spouse lives anywhere in Franklin County, you can file in Pasco.

To start a case, one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons with the Franklin County Clerk. The other spouse must be served with those papers or sign a Joinder. The court requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served before a dissolution can be finalized. Agreed cases with no disputes about property or children tend to move faster. Contested cases may take longer and could require mediation or a court hearing.

All official forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms. Self-help guides and instructions for filing without an attorney are available at washingtonlawhelp.org.

Divorce Certificates from Washington State DOH

A divorce certificate and a divorce decree are not the same thing. The decree is the full court order. The certificate is a short summary issued by the state. Both are legal documents, but they serve different purposes.

The Washington State Department of Health has marriage and divorce records from 1968 to the present. Certified copies and noncertified informational copies start at $25 per copy. The DOH can issue a certificate of dissolution after the county clerk sends them the record. They do not hold divorce decrees. If you need the full decree, contact the Franklin County Clerk.

If the divorce was finalized within the last five months, the DOH may not have received the record yet. Contact the Franklin County Clerk directly to confirm whether the record is available through the state or only through the county.

Legal Help in Pasco

Several resources can help Pasco residents who need help with a dissolution case. Some provide free services to those who qualify by income. Others offer reduced-rate consultations. Getting help early is usually worth it.

Northwest Justice Project covers Franklin County and handles family law cases for low-income residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to apply. The Washington State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722, and their directory is at wsba.org.

WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has step-by-step guides for self-represented filers. If children are part of the case, Washington requires a parenting plan. Child support is calculated using guidelines under RCW Chapter 26.19. The Franklin County court may also require parents to attend a parenting seminar.

Franklin County Divorce Records

Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County. All dissolution filings for Pasco residents go through the Franklin County Superior Court. For more details on the county court system, local rules, and records resources, visit the Franklin County page.

View Franklin County Divorce Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby Tri-Cities communities also file dissolution cases through their respective county Superior Courts.