Sammamish Divorce Records
Sammamish divorce records are filed through the King County Superior Court, which maintains all dissolution case files for Sammamish residents. If you need to look up a dissolution case or get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, the King County Superior Court Clerk's office is where you need to go. Sammamish is a city in eastern King County with a population of around 75,000 people. The city has no superior court of its own. All dissolution filings go to the King County Courthouse in Seattle. You can search for case information online or visit the courthouse in person to review the full file and request certified copies.
Sammamish Overview
Where to Find Sammamish Divorce Records
The King County Superior Court holds all dissolution case files for Sammamish residents. Sammamish is in eastern King County and falls under the King County court system. The family law division at the King County Courthouse in Seattle handles all dissolution, legal separation, and related family law matters for the county. That office is your starting point for accessing existing records or filing a new case.
Sammamish has a City Clerk's Office at Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Avenue SE. That office manages city public records, council documents, and ordinances. The Sammamish City Clerk's page makes it clear the City Clerk does not maintain divorce records or King County Superior Court case files. Municipal court services for Sammamish are provided by King County District Court, which handles misdemeanor and traffic matters, not family law. Dissolution cases are a superior court matter only.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk - Family Law |
|---|---|
| Address | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue, Room E609 Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Correspondence Line | (206) 477-0691 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Washington State Courts directory for King County lists all judges and clerks serving the county. Case records for Sammamish residents are searchable through the Odyssey Portal or the statewide case locator. In both cases, certified copies of the actual decree must be ordered from the King County Superior Court Clerk directly.
The Sammamish City Clerk's Office at City Hall manages public records requests for city documents and can confirm which county court handles family law matters for Sammamish residents.
The City Clerk does not hold dissolution records. For divorce case files and certified decrees, contact the King County Superior Court Clerk in Seattle.
How to Search Sammamish Dissolution Cases
You have several ways to look up dissolution records for Sammamish residents. Online tools work well for a quick search and to confirm a case exists. An in-person visit to the courthouse gives you access to the full file and lets you get certified copies on the same day.
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal provides public access to case records for Superior Courts statewide, including King County. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. Document images are not available online. Use the portal to get the case number you need, then contact the clerk to request copies.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is another option. It searches across multiple court levels and updates every 24 hours. Results are for reference only and are not the official court record. The Washington State Courts Case Locator at dw.courts.wa.gov is similar and covers all court levels. Both tools return case numbers, party names, and filing dates without document images.
For older records, check the Washington State Archives Digital Archives. The archives hold divorce record collections from many Washington counties, including King County. You can search by collection type and county. Many county clerks have contributed older records to the archives, so this is useful for cases going back decades.
To request records by mail, use the King County Clerk Mail-In Copy Request Form. Include a $10 deposit and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you do not have the case number, add $30 for the staff research fee. Mail your request to the King County Clerk's Office at 516 Third Avenue, Room E609, Seattle, WA 98104. Questions can be directed to 206-477-0691 or clerksofficecorrespondencedesk@kingcounty.gov.
The Sammamish Submit a Public Records Request page provides an online portal for requesting city documents and explains how the city responds to public records requests under state law.
This portal handles city-level records only. For dissolution case files and divorce decrees, requests must go to the King County Superior Court Clerk, not the city.
Filing for Divorce in Sammamish
Sammamish residents file for dissolution under Washington State law, governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Because Sammamish is in King County, all filings go to the King County Superior Court in Seattle. Each document you file becomes part of the public case record maintained by the King County Clerk.
Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." 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 residency requirement for the county itself. If you or your spouse lives anywhere in King County, including Sammamish, you can file in King County Superior Court.
The process starts with filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. The other spouse must be served with these papers or sign a Joinder. If both parties agree on all terms, an agreed decree moves the case faster. Contested cases may require mediation or a hearing. Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period after service of the petition before the court can enter a final Decree of Dissolution. This waiting period applies in all cases, even when both parties agree on everything from the start.
The current dissolution filing fee at King County Superior Court 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. Court forms are available through the King County court forms page, including petitions, summonses, financial declarations, and parenting plans. Electronic filing is available for many case types. Family law facilitators at the courthouse can help with form completion.
If the filing fee is a financial hardship, you can request a waiver. The court requires a motion and declaration explaining your financial situation. Individuals receiving public assistance or earning below 200% of the federal poverty level typically qualify. Fee waiver forms are available at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts website.
Note: King County requires both parents to complete a parenting seminar when the dissolution case involves children. Plan for this requirement when scheduling your case timeline.
The Sammamish Public Records Request FAQs page answers common questions about requesting city records and explains what the city does and does not maintain under the Public Records Act.
The FAQs confirm that the city does not hold divorce or superior court records. That information clarifies which office handles each type of request and prevents wasted trips to the wrong location.
Divorce Certificates Through the State
The Washington State Department of Health holds dissolution records from 1968 to the present. They issue divorce certificates, also called certificates of dissolution, which are short official documents confirming a divorce occurred. The DOH vital records page shows that certified copies start at $25 each. The state can issue a certificate only after the county clerk sends the record to their office.
If you need the full Decree of Dissolution, the Department of Health cannot help. That multi-page court order must come from the King County Superior Court Clerk. The state transfer from the county clerk can take up to five months from the date the divorce was finalized. For recent dissolutions, go straight to the King County Clerk rather than waiting for the state to process the record. The King County Clerk can issue copies of the decree at any time after the case is closed.
Legal Help for Sammamish Residents
Sammamish residents who need help with dissolution cases can reach several organizations. Northwest Justice Project serves King County and provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support matters.
The King County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association offers a searchable directory at wsba.org and a statewide referral line at (206) 443-9722. For those handling the process themselves, WashingtonLawHelp.org has step-by-step guides for filing dissolution without an attorney. All official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov. Child support calculations in Washington follow RCW Chapter 26.19, which considers both parents' incomes, the number of children, and residential time with each parent.
King County Divorce Records
Sammamish is in King County. All dissolution filings for Sammamish 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 Sammamish each file dissolution cases through their county's superior court system.