Puyallup Dissolution Records

Puyallup divorce records are filed and maintained by the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk in Tacoma. If you live in Puyallup and need to start a dissolution case, look up an existing case, or get a certified copy of a decree, the Pierce County Superior Court is where you go. Puyallup has its own municipal court, but that court handles only misdemeanor criminal matters and traffic cases. Family law and dissolution cases are exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Pierce County Superior Court. This page covers everything you need to find Puyallup divorce records, understand the filing process, and get help if you need it.

Where Puyallup Residents File for Divorce

Dissolution cases for Puyallup residents go to the Pierce County Superior Court. The courthouse is at 930 Tacoma Avenue South in Tacoma. The Pierce County Clerk's Office maintains all divorce, dissolution, and domestic relations case files. Requests for certified copies and in-person record reviews are handled there. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can request records in person, by mail, or electronically through the LINX system. The Pierce County Superior Court Records Request page has a mail-in request form with instructions for payment and return mailing. A deposit may be required for large copy orders. The office cannot give legal advice but can explain what you need to bring and how to submit a request.

Certified copies of dissolution decrees cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page. The Clerk's Office accepts cash, check, and money order.

Puyallup Court Resources

The Puyallup Municipal Court is located at 929 E Main, Suite 120, Puyallup, WA 98372. The phone number is 253-841-5450. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and city code violations. It does not have jurisdiction over divorce, dissolution, or family law matters. The Municipal Court also serves the City of Milton under contract.

The Puyallup Municipal Court handles local criminal and traffic matters. Dissolution cases are not filed here. Those go to Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma.

The Puyallup Municipal Court Records page explains the types of records available from the municipal court. Records available include dockets, citations, and judgment and sentence documents. However, the Municipal Court does not hold divorce or domestic relations case files. Requests for dissolution records must go to Pierce County Superior Court.

If you are looking for divorce records from a Puyallup case, the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk in Tacoma is your source. Not the municipal court.

How to Find Puyallup Divorce Records Online

Several free tools let you search for dissolution records from Puyallup cases online. All Puyallup dissolution cases are in the Pierce County Superior Court system, so that is what you are searching.

The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is the easiest place to start. You can search by party name or case number. The site updates every 24 hours at 3:00 a.m. Search results are reference material only. For certified copies or full case files, you need to contact the Pierce County Clerk.

The Odyssey Portal provides access to Washington Superior Court case records, including Pierce County. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. Full document images are not available through the portal.

The Washington State Courts Case Locator searches across all court levels statewide. It returns case numbers, parties, and filing dates. For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives may have dissolution records submitted by the Pierce County Clerk. Search the archive by county name and keyword "divorce" to see what is available.

Pierce County Fees and Divorce Forms

The Pierce County Clerk Fee Schedule effective January 2026 sets fees for all court services. Filing fees for domestic relations cases are established by RCW 36.18.020 and RCW 36.18.016. Fees must be paid in advance. Large copy jobs may require a deposit before processing. The fee schedule is updated periodically, so verify with the clerk before filing.

Pierce County provides a Divorce Packet for self-represented litigants. It includes step-by-step instructions for filing a petition for dissolution of marriage, a checklist of required documents, and information about serving the other party. The Pierce County Law Library sells printed packets. All forms are also available free at courts.wa.gov/forms.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can apply for a fee waiver. Forms are at the courthouse and at courts.wa.gov. The Pierce County Superior Court Rules and Fees page includes fee waiver information, links to forms for temporary orders and restraining orders, and contact information for the court administrator and clerk's office. The page also provides access to the Pierce County Law Library.

Note: Pierce County District Court does not handle dissolution or family law cases. Those go to Superior Court only.

Filing for Divorce in Puyallup

Puyallup residents follow Washington State law when filing for dissolution. The process is governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." You do not need to prove that anyone did anything wrong.

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 residency period for Pierce County. If you live in Puyallup, you can file at the Pierce County Superior Court.

To begin, one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons with the Pierce County Clerk. The other spouse must be served with those papers or sign a Joinder. Washington requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served before the court can finalize a dissolution. Agreed cases move faster. Contested cases involving property or children may take longer and could require mediation or a hearing. Pierce County has a family law facilitator and self-help resources available at the courthouse.

If children are part of the case, Washington requires a parenting plan. Child support is calculated using state guidelines under RCW Chapter 26.19. Pierce County requires both parents to attend a parenting seminar. The seminar fee is typically $35 to $75. Ask the clerk for the current list of approved providers.

Divorce Certificates for Puyallup Cases

If you need a divorce certificate rather than the full decree, that comes from the Washington State Department of Health. The Washington State Department of Health holds marriage and divorce records from 1968 to the present. Certified and noncertified informational copies start at $25 per copy.

A certificate of dissolution is a shorter summary document. The DOH does not hold full divorce decrees. For the complete decree, contact the Pierce County Clerk. Also, it can take up to five months for a county clerk to send a divorce record to the DOH after the case closes. If the dissolution was finalized recently, the DOH may not have the record yet. In that case, go to the Pierce County Clerk directly.

Legal Help for Puyallup Residents

Several organizations can help Puyallup residents with dissolution cases. Northwest Justice Project serves Pierce County and assists low-income residents with family law matters. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org for eligibility details and to apply.

The Washington State Bar Association offers a statewide lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722. Search their directory at wsba.org. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org provides step-by-step guides for filing without a lawyer. All official dissolution forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms.

Pierce County Divorce Records

Puyallup is in Pierce County. All dissolution filings for Puyallup residents go through Pierce County Superior Court. For more information on the court system, fees, and resources available in the county, visit the Pierce County page.

View Pierce County Divorce Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby Pierce County cities also file dissolution cases through Pierce County Superior Court.