Redmond Divorce Records
Redmond divorce records are filed and maintained through the King County Superior Court. If you need to find a dissolution case involving a Redmond resident, or you want a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, the King County Superior Court Clerk is the right office to contact. Redmond sits in the northeastern part of King County, home to around 68,000 people. The city does not have its own superior court, so all dissolution filings go through King County. You can search for case details online or visit the courthouse in Seattle to get full file access and certified copies.
Redmond Overview
Where Redmond Divorce Records Are Filed
All dissolution cases for Redmond residents go through the King County Superior Court. The family law division handles divorce, legal separation, and related matters for the entire county. Redmond does not have its own superior court, so the case file lives in Seattle at the King County Courthouse. That is where you go to start a new case, search an existing one, or get a copy of the final decree.
The Redmond City Clerk's Office at 15670 NE 85th Street handles city records, but as the Redmond City Clerk's website makes clear, that office does not hold divorce records or superior court case files. The City Clerk manages council agendas, ordinances, and city contracts. For civil matters such as divorce papers and court orders, the city itself directs residents to the King County Northeast District Court or the King County Superior Court. The distinction matters because going to the wrong office wastes time.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk - Family Law |
|---|---|
| Address | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue, Room E609 Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
The Washington State Courts directory for King County lists contact details for all judges and clerks serving the county. Redmond cases fall under this court system. Municipal courts in Redmond do not have jurisdiction over divorce or family law matters. Those are handled exclusively at the superior court level.
The Redmond Commonly Requested Resources page is worth bookmarking. It confirms that for civil matters including divorce papers and court orders, residents should contact the King County Northeast District Court at 206-205-9200. That number gets you to someone who can point you in the right direction for Redmond-area cases.
The Redmond City Clerk's Office manages public records requests for city documents and can confirm which county court handles specific case types.
While the City Clerk does not hold divorce records, the office can help direct you to the correct King County resource for your specific request.
How to Search Redmond Divorce Records
You have a few ways to look up dissolution records tied to Redmond residents. Online tools give you a fast start. In-person visits at the courthouse let you dig into the full file and get certified copies the same day. Knowing which tool fits your need saves time and effort.
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal is a good place to start. It gives public access to case records for Superior Courts across the state, including divorce and family law matters filed in King County. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. It does not provide full document images, but it will confirm whether a case exists and give you the case number you need to request copies.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search tool is another option. It covers multiple court levels statewide including superior courts where dissolution cases are filed. Data updates every 24 hours at 3:00 a.m. The results are reference material only, not the official court record. Use this tool to locate a case number, then contact the clerk to get copies.
For older records, the Washington State Archives Digital Archives may have what you need. The archives hold divorce record collections from many counties, including King County. You can search by collection type and county name. Many county clerks have shared their older records with the archives, so this is worth checking for cases filed decades ago.
To search by mail, use the King County Clerk Mail-In Copy Request Form. You need to include a $10 deposit and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you do not have a case number, add $30 for the research fee. Send your request to the King County Clerk's Office at 516 Third Avenue, Room E609, Seattle, WA 98104. Questions? Call 206-477-0691 or email clerksofficecorrespondencedesk@kingcounty.gov.
The statewide Washington State Courts Case Locator can also help. It searches across municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts. Divorce cases at the superior court level show up here. Results include case numbers, parties, and filing dates but not document images.
The King County Superior Court serves all residents of King County, including those in Redmond, for divorce and family law filings.
This is the court that holds all dissolution case files for Redmond residents. In-person visits allow you to review the complete case file and request certified copies of the Decree of Dissolution.
Filing for Divorce in Redmond
Redmond residents follow Washington State law when filing for dissolution. The governing statute is RCW Chapter 26.09. Because Redmond is in King County, you file at the King County Superior Court in Seattle. Every document you file becomes part of the public case record.
Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." You do not need to show that either spouse did something wrong. Under RCW 26.09.030, either spouse must be a resident of Washington or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state at the time of filing. There is no minimum residency period for the county itself.
The process starts when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. The other spouse must be served with these papers. If both spouses agree on all issues, they can file an agreed decree and move things along much faster. Contested cases may need mediation or a trial. Washington requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served before the court can enter a final decree. That period cannot be shortened, even if both parties agree on everything from day one.
The King County Superior Court fee schedule shows the dissolution filing fee is $364.00. Certified copies of the decree cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Self-service photocopies are $0.15 per page. These fees are set by state law and King County Code and may change, so confirm current amounts with the clerk before you file. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about a waiver. Forms for fee waiver requests are available at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts website.
King County Superior Court also offers forms online through the King County court forms page. You can download petitions, summonses, financial declarations, parenting plans, and child support worksheets. Electronic filing is available for many case types. Family law facilitators at the courthouse can help with form completion and procedural questions.
Note: Washington requires both parents to attend a parenting seminar if children are involved in the dissolution case. King County provides this resource locally.
The Redmond Municipal Court handles misdemeanor cases and traffic matters for the city, but it does not have jurisdiction over divorce or family law cases.
For dissolution filings and divorce record requests, Redmond residents must go through the King County Superior Court, not the local municipal court.
Divorce Certificates from the State
The Washington State Department of Health holds divorce records from 1968 to the present. What they issue is a divorce certificate, also called a certificate of dissolution. This is a short official document confirming the divorce happened. It is different from the Decree of Dissolution, which is the full multi-page court order that details the terms of the divorce.
According to the Washington Department of Health vital records page, certified copies start at $25 each. The Department of Health can only issue a certificate after the county clerk sends the record to their office. That transfer can take up to five months from the date the divorce was finalized. If you were divorced recently, you may need to contact the King County Superior Court Clerk directly to get your documents. The county clerk is the one who sends the record to the state, so they know if the transfer has happened yet.
For the Decree of Dissolution itself, the Department of Health cannot help. That document must come from the King County Superior Court Clerk. The decree is what you need for most legal and financial purposes, such as changing a name, updating a beneficiary, or settling estate matters. Call (206) 296-9300 or visit Room E609 at the King County Courthouse to request your copy.
Legal Resources for Redmond Residents
Several organizations can help Redmond residents with dissolution cases. Northwest Justice Project provides free legal help to low-income families across King County. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. Their lawyers handle family law cases and can help with paperwork, hearings, and legal advice.
The King County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association also offers referrals at (206) 443-9722 and maintains a searchable directory at wsba.org. If you want to handle things yourself, WashingtonLawHelp.org has step-by-step guides, and all official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov.
Child support cases use the state formula under RCW Chapter 26.19. The calculation weighs both parents' income, the number of children, and residential time. King County requires both parents in cases with children to complete a parenting seminar before the court will finalize the decree. Seminar fees typically run between $35 and $75.
King County Divorce Records
Redmond is in King County. All dissolution filings go through the King County Superior Court, which handles cases for Redmond and dozens of other cities across the county. For more on the county court system, fees, and additional resources, visit the King County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Redmond each file dissolution cases through their county's superior court system.