Spokane Valley Divorce Records
Spokane Valley divorce records are held at Spokane County Superior Court, which serves all of Spokane County including the city of Spokane Valley. Residents who filed for dissolution, modified a parenting plan, or finalized a legal separation will find their case records at the Superior Court Clerk's office in downtown Spokane. You can search those records online through the Spokane County Court Document Viewer or the statewide Washington Courts tools. Certified copies of decrees and other documents are available in person, by mail, or electronically through the county's records systems. This page explains how to find Spokane Valley dissolution records and how the filing process works for residents.
Spokane Valley Overview
Where Spokane Valley Cases Are Filed
Spokane Valley is a city in Spokane County, and all dissolution matters for its residents go to Spokane County Superior Court. The Superior Court Clerk's office is the keeper of all official case records, including dissolution decrees, parenting plans, child support orders, and other family law filings. The courthouse is at West 1116 Broadway Avenue, Room 300, Spokane, WA 99260. The clerk can be reached at 509-477-2211 for public case information during business hours.
The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public case files can be viewed in person at the office, though files cannot be removed. Confidential or sealed cases require proper identification or a court order to access. Telephone inquiries are handled for public cases only; sealed case details are not provided over the phone.
Municipal courts in Spokane Valley do not handle divorce or family law matters. Those courts cover misdemeanor criminal cases and city code violations. For dissolution filings and records, Spokane County Superior Court at 1116 W Broadway is the correct location. The Washington State Courts directory for Spokane County provides contact information for all court personnel serving Spokane Valley residents.
| Office | Spokane County Clerk of the Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | County Courthouse, Room 300 1116 W Broadway Avenue Spokane, WA 99260 |
| Phone | 509-477-2211 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | spokanecounty.org/Clerks-Records |
How to Find Spokane Valley Dissolution Records
Spokane County maintains its own online case access tool. The Spokane County Court Document Viewer gives public access to many court records filed in the county, including dissolution cases for Spokane Valley residents. You can search by case number or party name. Many documents are viewable online. For copies or certified versions, contact the clerk's office directly.
The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal also covers Spokane County Superior Court records. The portal lets you search by name, case number, or attorney and shows case summaries, hearing dates, and current status. It is a good complement to the county's own tool and covers cases filed in Spokane County Superior Court. For documents, you still need to request those from the clerk.
For broader searches, the Washington Courts name and case search covers all court levels statewide. If you are not sure which court handled a matter, this tool can help narrow it down. The data refreshes daily and is for reference only. Official records and certified copies come from the clerk's office.
For older dissolution records, the Washington State Digital Archives is worth checking. Many county clerks have submitted historical divorce records to the Digital Archives. You can search by county and record type. The availability of Spokane County records depends on what has been digitized, so older cases may require a direct request from the clerk's office or a visit to the State Archives.
The Spokane County Court Document Viewer provides public online access to dissolution records and other Superior Court filings for Spokane Valley cases.
Spokane Valley Divorce Record Fees
The Spokane County Clerk's fee schedule applies to all case filings and record requests for Spokane Valley residents. The filing fee for domestic relations cases, including divorce and legal separation, is $364. That is the total amount due when you file the initial petition. Modifications to parenting plans or child support orders carry the same $364 fee. Fees are subject to change, so check the current schedule at spokanecounty.org/Fee-Schedule before you file.
For record copies, certified versions cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies are $0.25 per page. If you send a mail request and the clerk must search for the record without a specific case number, a $30.00 search fee applies. Filing fees are payable by cash or card. Checks are accepted for copy charges only.
The Spokane County Clerk's fee schedule lists current costs for divorce filings and record copy requests relevant to Spokane Valley cases.
For a divorce certificate rather than a full decree, the Washington State Department of Health handles those requests for divorces from 1968 forward. The fee starts at $25 per copy. There may be a gap of up to five months between when a county finalizes a case and when the state receives the record. If the case is recent, go to the Spokane County Clerk first.
Filing for Divorce in Spokane Valley
Spokane Valley residents file under Washington State law, specifically RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." No showing of fault or misconduct is required. Either spouse can declare this, and the court will proceed.
To file in Spokane County, one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in Washington under RCW 26.09.030. There is no minimum time you must live in the county before filing. After you file the Petition for Dissolution and Summons, the other spouse must be served. A mandatory 90-day waiting period begins from the date of service. The case cannot be finalized until that period ends.
Cases involving minor children require a parenting plan and child support worksheet. Child support amounts are calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19. Both parents in Spokane County must complete background checks when finalizing a parenting plan. The "Share the Children" class is required for parents in custody and divorce cases. The Spokane County Family Court Facilitator at West 1116 Broadway, Room 200, can explain what steps apply to your case. Call 509-477-7612 to schedule a 20-minute appointment.
Note: Spokane County requires 24-hour advance notice to cancel a facilitator appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted. Download and read the applicable family law instructions from the Spokane County website before your appointment.
Legal Help for Spokane Valley Residents
If you cannot afford an attorney, the Volunteer Lawyers Program through CLEAR at 1-888-201-1014 connects qualifying residents with free legal help. The Spokane County Bar Association also has a volunteer attorney program. The Spokane County Family Court Facilitator at spokanecounty.org/Family-Court-Facilitator is a non-attorney who can explain the process and point you to the right forms, but cannot give legal advice.
All required forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. The washingtonlawhelp.org website has step-by-step guides for people who handle their own dissolution cases. For attorneys, the Washington State Bar Association referral service is at (206) 443-9722 and the directory is at wsba.org. The clerk's office cannot give legal advice, but staff can direct you to appropriate forms and the facilitator office for process guidance.
Spokane County Divorce Records
Spokane Valley is part of Spokane County. All dissolution filings for city residents go through Spokane County Superior Court. For a full overview of the county court system and family law resources, visit the Spokane County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
Spokane is the neighboring city and shares the same county court system for dissolution filings.