Find Renton Divorce Records
Renton divorce records are maintained by the King County Superior Court, which handles all dissolution cases for Renton residents. Whether you need to search for an existing case or get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, the King County Superior Court Clerk is the office to contact. Renton is one of King County's larger cities, home to around 110,000 people. Dissolution cases for Renton residents are filed in Seattle at the King County Courthouse. You can search case information online or make an in-person visit to review the full file and get copies while you wait.
Renton Overview
Renton Divorce Records Location
Renton residents file for dissolution at the King County Superior Court in Seattle. The county courthouse holds all family law case files, including divorce petitions, financial declarations, parenting plans, and decrees. This is where you go to start a case or access an existing one. The Washington State Courts directory for King County lists contact details for all judges and clerks serving the county.
The Renton City Clerk's Office at 1055 South Grady Way handles city records and public disclosure. But the Renton City Clerk's page is clear: that office does not maintain divorce records or King County Superior Court case files. City Clerk staff manage council minutes, ordinances, and city contracts. For divorce records, you need the Superior Court Clerk. The City Clerk's phone is 425-430-6516 and their email is cityclerk@rentonwa.gov if you have questions about what city records they do hold.
| 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 |
| Correspondence Email | clerksofficecorrespondencedesk@kingcounty.gov |
King County also operates the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, which can also process some records requests. If driving to Seattle is not practical, check whether the Kent location can help with your request. Call (206) 477-0691 to ask about options before making the trip.
The Renton Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic matters at 1055 South Grady Way, but it does not have jurisdiction over divorce or dissolution proceedings.
Renton Municipal Court judges and staff cannot assist with dissolution cases. Those must go through the King County Superior Court system in Seattle.
How to Search Renton Divorce Records
Searching dissolution records tied to Renton can be done online or in person. Online tools work well for confirming a case exists and getting a case number. In-person visits at the courthouse let you look at the full file and get certified copies on the same day.
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal is a solid starting point. It covers Superior Courts statewide, including King County. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. It will not show document images, but it confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number you need to request copies from the clerk.
You can also use the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search tool. This searches across multiple court levels statewide and updates every 24 hours. Results are reference material, not the official court record. Once you have the case number from this tool, contact the clerk for copies. The statewide Washington State Courts Case Locator also covers superior courts and gives you case numbers and party names without document images.
For older records, the Washington State Archives Digital Archives holds divorce records from many Washington counties. Search by collection type and county name. Many county clerks have sent older records to the archives, so this is useful for cases going back several decades. The archive collection includes King County dissolution records.
Mail requests are handled with the King County Clerk Mail-In Copy Request Form. Include a $10 deposit and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Without a case number, add $30 for the research fee. Send everything to 516 Third Avenue, Room E609, Seattle, WA 98104. The clerk will invoice you if costs exceed your deposit, or refund the difference if costs are less.
The Renton Municipal Court records request page provides forms for obtaining misdemeanor court records and traffic case files from the municipal court.
This page is for municipal court records only. Divorce and family law case files are not held here. Direct those requests to the King County Superior Court Clerk.
How to File for Divorce in Renton
Renton residents file under Washington State law, governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Because Renton is in King County, you file at the King County Superior Court. Each document you submit becomes part of the public case record and stays with the Clerk's Office.
Washington is a no-fault state. The only legal ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." One or both spouses must state this, and the court will proceed. Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or an active-duty service member stationed in the state. There is no minimum time you must have lived in King County specifically.
The first step is filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. The other spouse must receive these papers through proper service. If both parties agree on all terms, they can move through the process faster with an agreed decree. Disagreements over property, child custody, or support may lead to mediation or a trial. No matter what, Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is served before the court can enter a final Decree of Dissolution. That waiting period applies even in fully agreed cases.
The current dissolution filing fee at King County Superior Court is $364.00. Certified copies of the Decree of Dissolution cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that. The King County court forms library at kingcounty.gov has every form you need to start, including petitions, financial declarations, and parenting plans. Electronic filing is available. Family law facilitators at the courthouse can walk you through form completion without giving legal advice.
If paying the filing fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver. You must file a motion and declaration showing your financial situation. Qualifying typically requires receiving public assistance or having household income below 200% of the federal poverty level. Fee waiver forms are available at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts website.
Note: If children are involved in the dissolution, both parents must complete a parenting seminar before the court finalizes the case. Seminar costs in King County typically range from $35 to $75.
The Renton City Clerk at 1055 South Grady Way manages public records requests for city documents, ordinances, and council records.
The City Clerk does not hold dissolution records or superior court documents, but the office can confirm which records it does maintain and direct you to the right county resource for divorce filings.
State-Level Divorce Certificates
The Washington State Department of Health holds dissolution records from 1968 forward. The DOH vital records page explains the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree. The certificate, also called a certificate of dissolution, is a short official document confirming the divorce occurred. The Department of Health can issue certified copies for $25 each.
The full Decree of Dissolution is not available from the Department of Health. That document is a multi-page court order and must come from the King County Superior Court Clerk. The decree is what you typically need for legal and financial purposes. The DOH only registers the record after receiving it from the county clerk, a process that can take up to five months from the date the divorce was finalized. If you need records from a recent dissolution, go directly to the King County Clerk rather than waiting for the state to process the transfer.
Legal Help in the Renton Area
Renton residents looking for legal assistance with dissolution cases have several options. Northwest Justice Project serves King County and provides free legal help to low-income individuals and families. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn about eligibility. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and child support matters.
The King County Bar Association referral service is at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association offers a statewide referral directory at wsba.org, searchable by practice area and location. For self-help, WashingtonLawHelp.org has step-by-step guides for filing dissolution on your own. All official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov. Child support calculations follow RCW Chapter 26.19, which weighs both parents' incomes, the number of children, and how much time each parent has with the kids.
King County Divorce Records
Renton is in King County. All dissolution filings for Renton residents go through the King County Superior Court. For more on the county court system, fees, forms, and local resources, visit the King County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Renton each file dissolution cases through their county's superior court system.