Access University Place Divorce Records
University Place divorce records are filed and maintained by the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk in Tacoma. University Place is an incorporated city in Pierce County, and all dissolution cases for its residents go through the county superior court system. There is no local city court that handles family law. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a copy of a divorce decree, or look up family law filings linked to a University Place address, start with the Pierce County Clerk. You can search online through state tools or go in person to the courthouse in Tacoma to get certified copies from the full case file.
University Place Overview
Where University Place Cases Are Filed
University Place residents file for dissolution at the Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. The clerk's office at the County-City Building handles all family law records for the county, including those for University Place. The court is located at 930 Tacoma Avenue S., Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is (253) 798-7455.
University Place does not have its own superior court. As an incorporated city within Pierce County, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Pierce County Superior Court for all family law and dissolution matters. If you have a dissolution case tied to University Place, the case number and all associated documents are held by the Pierce County Clerk. You can get certified copies in person, by mail, or electronically through the LINX system. Updated fees took effect July 27, 2025, so verify the current schedule before submitting a request.
The Pierce County Clerk of the Superior Court manages all divorce and family law records for the county. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. The clerk cannot give legal advice but can refer you to the Family Law Facilitator and other self-help resources.
| Office | Pierce County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | County-City Building 930 Tacoma Avenue S., Room 110 Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| Phone | (253) 798-7455 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| LINX System | linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us |
| Website | piercecountywa.gov/95/Clerk-of-the-Superior-Court |
The Pierce County Superior Court handles all divorce filings for University Place. The court's website outlines family law procedures, clerk contact details, and resources for self-represented parties.
University Place residents can reach the Pierce County Clerk at (253) 798-7455 or visit the courthouse at 930 Tacoma Avenue S. in Tacoma to access dissolution case files.
Searching University Place Dissolution Records
Several online tools let you search for dissolution records in Pierce County without visiting the courthouse. These tools are good for confirming a case exists or finding basic case information. For full documents or certified copies, you need to contact the clerk.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is free and statewide. Enter a party name or case number to find cases filed in Pierce County Superior Court. Results show party names, case type, and current status. The site updates every 24 hours. This is useful for confirming whether a case was filed or checking its status, but the results are not the official court record.
The Washington State Odyssey Portal is another option for Pierce County records. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows docket entries and hearing dates. It does not provide full copies of filed documents. For those, use the LINX electronic system or contact the clerk.
Pierce County's LINX system at linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us allows electronic document access for many Pierce County case records. This can be a useful way to get copies of dissolution documents without a trip to Tacoma.
For older cases not in current electronic systems, the Washington State Digital Archives may have what you need. Many county clerks have submitted older divorce records to the archive. Search by county and keyword to check availability.
The Pierce County LINX Online Search system provides public access to case records and documents for Pierce County Superior Court, including dissolution and family law filings for University Place residents.
LINX gives you electronic access to many case documents without visiting the courthouse, which can save time when you just need a specific filing or copy.
Filing for Dissolution in University Place
University Place residents file for dissolution under Washington State law, specifically RCW Chapter 26.09. The case is filed at Pierce County Superior Court. Washington uses the term "dissolution of marriage" rather than divorce, though both refer to the same legal process.
At least one spouse must be a Washington resident when the petition is filed, per RCW 26.09.030. There is no minimum county residency requirement. Washington is a no-fault state, meaning neither spouse has to prove the other did something wrong. The only ground needed is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
The process starts with filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. The other spouse must be served or must sign a Joinder. After service, Washington requires a 90-day waiting period before the court can finalize a dissolution. Both spouses agreeing on all terms speeds things up considerably. Contested cases take longer and may involve hearings, discovery, or mediation.
The Pierce County Superior Court Divorce page has useful information for residents filing without an attorney. Court Facilitators are available by appointment at (253) 798-3627, with sessions from 8 to 9 a.m. The fee is $20 per session. Free forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. The Pierce County Law Library sells printed form packets for those who prefer hard copies. If children are involved, additional documents are required, including a parenting plan and child support worksheets, and both parents must attend a parenting seminar.
University Place dissolution cases are processed at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma, not at any city-level office. All records, certified copies, and case files are held by the Pierce County Clerk.
Legal Help Near University Place
University Place residents have access to legal aid services that serve Pierce County and the broader south Puget Sound area. If you cannot afford an attorney, there are still options for getting help with your dissolution case.
The Northwest Justice Project handles family law cases for low-income residents throughout Washington. Call their CLEAR line at (888) 201-1014 to check eligibility. More information is at nwjustice.org. The Washington State Bar Association offers an attorney referral service at (206) 443-9722, with a directory at wsba.org where you can search for family law attorneys near University Place.
Self-help resources at washingtonlawhelp.org include step-by-step guides for filing without an attorney. All official court forms are free to download at courts.wa.gov/forms. For printed packets, visit the Pierce County Law Library at the courthouse in Tacoma. The Family Law Facilitator at Pierce County can also check your paperwork for completeness before you file, which can prevent delays caused by missing or incorrect documents.
Pierce County Divorce Records
University Place is in Pierce County, and all dissolution cases for city residents go to Pierce County Superior Court. For more information on the county court system, additional resources, and records for other Pierce County communities, visit the Pierce County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to University Place and are also in Pierce County. Each uses Pierce County Superior Court for dissolution filings.