Access SeaTac Divorce Records
SeaTac divorce records are maintained by the King County Superior Court, which handles all dissolution filings for SeaTac residents. If you need to find a dissolution case or get a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution, the King County Superior Court Clerk's office is where to go. SeaTac is a city in southwestern King County with a population of around 33,000 people. All dissolution filings for SeaTac residents go through the King County Courthouse in Seattle. You can search for case information using online tools or visit the courthouse in person to access the full file and request certified copies on the same day.
SeaTac Overview
SeaTac Divorce Records Office
All dissolution cases for SeaTac residents are filed and maintained at the King County Superior Court in Seattle. SeaTac does not have its own superior court. The city is in King County, so all family law filings go to the King County Courthouse at 516 Third Avenue. The Washington State Courts directory for King County lists all judges and clerks serving the county. Municipal courts in SeaTac handle misdemeanor and traffic matters, not divorce or family law cases.
SeaTac has a City Clerk and Records Division that handles city documents and public records requests. The SeaTac City Clerk page shows this office is part of the Legal Department and processes public records requests under state and city regulations. Questions about public records can go to 206-973-4663 or recordsmanagement@seatacwa.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The City Clerk does not maintain divorce records or superior court case files. The SeaTac website directs residents to King County courts for divorce and family law matters.
| 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 | (206) 477-0691 | clerksofficecorrespondencedesk@kingcounty.gov |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
King County also operates the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. That location is closer to SeaTac and may be able to handle some copy requests. Call (206) 477-0691 to ask about options before making the trip to Seattle. For online access, the King County Clerk's website is at kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk.
The Washington State Courts King County directory provides contact information for all judges, clerks, and court staff serving King County, which handles all dissolution cases for SeaTac residents.
Use this directory to find current contact details for King County Superior Court staff and confirm the right person to contact for your SeaTac dissolution records request.
How to Search SeaTac Divorce Records
Searching dissolution records tied to SeaTac residents can be done online or in person. Online tools are the fastest way to confirm a case exists and get a case number. Visiting the courthouse in person gives you access to the full case file and the ability to get certified copies right away.
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal is a good first stop. It covers Superior Courts statewide, including King County. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. Document images are not available online. Once you have a case number from the portal, contact the King County Clerk to order copies.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search covers multiple court levels across Washington and updates every 24 hours. Results are reference material and not the official court record. The Washington State Courts Case Locator at dw.courts.wa.gov works similarly, searching across all court levels in the state. Divorce cases at the superior court level appear in both of these tools. Neither provides document images.
For historical records, the Washington State Archives Digital Archives holds dissolution record collections from many Washington counties. Search by collection and county name. King County records are part of the archive. This is most useful for older cases filed before electronic records were standard practice.
Mail requests for copies use the King County Clerk Mail-In Copy Request Form. Include a $10 deposit and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Without a case number, add a $30 research fee. Send to 516 Third Avenue, Room E609, Seattle, WA 98104. The clerk will invoice you if the cost is higher than your deposit, or refund the difference if it costs less.
How to File for Divorce in SeaTac
SeaTac residents file for dissolution under Washington State law, governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Because SeaTac is in King County, all dissolution petitions are filed at the King County Superior Court in Seattle. Every document you submit becomes part of the public case record maintained by the King County Clerk.
Washington is a no-fault divorce state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." Under RCW 26.09.030, one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state at the time of filing. There is no minimum county residency requirement. If you live in SeaTac or anywhere in King County, you can file in King County Superior Court.
The case starts when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. The other spouse must be served with those papers or sign a Joinder to the petition. If both parties agree on all terms, an agreed decree can move the case along much faster. Disputes over property, children, or support may require mediation or a court hearing. Washington law requires a mandatory 90-day waiting period after service of the petition before the court can enter the Decree of Dissolution. No exception exists, even for fully agreed cases.
The 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 additional page. Self-service photocopies are $0.15 per page. Court forms are available through the King County court forms page, including petitions, financial declarations, summonses, and parenting plans. Electronic filing is available. Family law facilitators at the courthouse can assist with form completion and procedural questions without giving legal advice.
If the filing fee is a hardship, ask about a fee waiver. You need a motion and declaration showing your finances. People who receive public assistance or earn below 200% of the federal poverty level typically qualify. Fee waiver forms are at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts website.
Note: If the dissolution case involves children, both parents must complete an approved parenting seminar before the court will finalize the case. This is a King County requirement.
The Washington State Department of Health Vital Records office issues divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized in Washington from 1968 to the present.
The Department of Health can issue a certificate of dissolution but does not hold the full Decree of Dissolution. For the complete decree for SeaTac cases, contact the King County Superior Court Clerk.
State Divorce Certificates for SeaTac Cases
The Washington State Department of Health holds dissolution records from 1968 forward. According to the DOH vital records ordering page, the state issues divorce certificates, also called certificates of dissolution. These are short documents confirming a divorce occurred, not the full court order. Certified copies start at $25 each. The Department of Health can issue a certificate only after the county clerk sends the record to their office, which can take up to five months after the divorce is finalized.
The full Decree of Dissolution is not available from the Department of Health. That multi-page document detailing all terms of the divorce must come from the King County Superior Court Clerk. The decree is the document most often needed for legal and financial purposes such as name changes, estate matters, and benefit updates. If you were divorced recently and need the decree, contact the King County Clerk at (206) 296-9300 rather than waiting for the state to process the record transfer from the county.
Legal Resources for SeaTac Residents
SeaTac residents can access legal help through several organizations. Northwest Justice Project serves all of King County and offers free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn about services and eligibility. They handle family law matters including dissolution, custody, and child support cases.
The King County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association maintains a directory of licensed attorneys at wsba.org and a referral line at (206) 443-9722. For self-help, WashingtonLawHelp.org has guides for handling dissolution without a lawyer, and all official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov. Child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19, which weighs both parents' income, the number of children, and the residential schedule. The formula is complex enough that many self-represented parents use the family law facilitator at the courthouse for guidance on completing the child support worksheets correctly.
King County Divorce Records
SeaTac is in King County, and all dissolution filings for SeaTac residents go through the King County Superior Court. For more on the county court system, fees, forms, and resources, visit the King County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near SeaTac each file dissolution cases through their county's superior court system.