Vancouver Washington Divorce Records
Vancouver divorce records are filed and maintained by the Clark County Superior Court Clerk in Vancouver, Washington. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get a copy of a decree, or find family law filings for a Vancouver resident, the Clark County Clerk is your primary source. Vancouver is the largest city in Clark County and sits just north of Portland, Oregon. All family law cases for Vancouver residents go through the Clark County Superior Court system. You can search case records online using state search tools or visit the clerk's office in person at the Clark County Courthouse on Franklin Street.
Vancouver Overview
Where to File for Divorce in Vancouver
Vancouver residents file dissolution petitions at the Clark County Superior Court. The clerk's office is on the first floor of the Clark County Courthouse at 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the office closes from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Phone hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the main number is (564) 397-2292.
The Clark County Superior Court Clerk is an elected official responsible for maintaining all Superior Court records for Vancouver residents. The clerk's office handles certified copies of divorce decrees, family law instructions, copy requests, and fee schedules. Case searches can be done through the Odyssey Portal or the Washington State Courts Superior Court Name Search. The elected County Clerk is Scott G. Weber, and you can reach the office by email at countyclerk@clark.wa.gov.
Certified copies of court orders and divorce decrees are available for a fee. The clerk's staff cannot provide legal advice or fill out forms for litigants. If you need help with paperwork, the Family Court Facilitator is a separate office that can assist.
| Office | Clark County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Clark County Courthouse, First Floor 1200 Franklin Street Vancouver, WA |
| Phone | (564) 397-2292 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (closed noon to 1:00 PM) |
| countyclerk@clark.wa.gov | |
| Website | clark.wa.gov/courts/clerk |
The Clark County Clerk records access page provides information on how to request copies of court records, including divorce decrees and dissolution case files for Vancouver residents.
You can visit the clerk's office in person at 1200 Franklin Street or contact the office by phone or email to request certified copies of Vancouver dissolution records.
How to Search Vancouver Divorce Records
Online tools provide a quick way to check whether a dissolution case exists or to find basic case details. For the full case file and certified copies, you need to work with the Clark County Clerk directly.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is a free tool available to anyone. You can search by party name or case number across Washington courts, including Clark County Superior Court. The site updates every 24 hours and shows party names, case type, and current status. Results are for reference only and not the official court record.
The Odyssey Portal is another option for Clark County case records. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows docket entries and hearing information. It does not provide full document copies. For those, contact the clerk's office directly.
The Washington Courts Case Locator covers all court types statewide. For Vancouver divorce cases, filter results to Clark County Superior Court. The locator shows case numbers, party names, and filing dates but not document images. The database updates daily from clerk-entered data.
For historical cases, the Washington State Digital Archives holds copies of divorce records that Clark County has submitted over the years. Searching by county and keyword lets you check whether a particular old case is archived there. This is especially useful for cases filed before electronic records systems were common.
Filing for Dissolution in Vancouver
Vancouver residents file under Washington State dissolution law, primarily RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington uses the term "dissolution of marriage." You file a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons with the Clark County Superior Court Clerk. The other spouse must then be served with those papers or must sign a Joinder.
Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident at the time of filing. Washington is a no-fault state: you do not need to prove any wrongdoing. Stating that the marriage is irretrievably broken is enough for the court to proceed. After service, the law requires a 90-day waiting period before the dissolution can be finalized.
The Clark County Family Court Facilitator is available by appointment only. Appointments start at 1:00 p.m. and run until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. A $20 fee must be paid at the Clerk's Office before the appointment; bring the receipt to the session. Appointments are 20 minutes and must be scheduled in person at the clerk's office; phone scheduling is not available. The facilitator can explain court procedures, help you find forms, and review completed paperwork for correctness, but cannot give legal advice or fill out your forms.
Form packets are sold at the Clerk's Office. Dissolution with children costs $50, and dissolution without children costs $30. Free forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms and washingtonlawhelp.org. The Clark County Law Library on the first floor of the courthouse also has family law forms and legal research resources.
Cases that involve children need a parenting plan, a child support order, and child support worksheets. Child support is calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19, which takes into account both parents' income, number of children, and other relevant factors.
Do not bring children to the Facilitator's office at Clark County. Make child care arrangements before your appointment. Sessions are 20 minutes and scheduled in person only.
The City of Vancouver Public Records Request page handles requests for city-held records. Note that divorce decrees and court records are not held by the city; those are held by the Clark County Superior Court Clerk.
City public records include city department records, ordinances, and administrative files. For dissolution records, contact the Clark County Clerk at (564) 397-2292 or countyclerk@clark.wa.gov.
Legal Assistance in Vancouver
Several organizations can help Vancouver residents with dissolution cases. Free services are available for those who qualify based on income.
The Northwest Justice Project handles family law cases for low-income residents. Their CLEAR line is (888) 201-1014. The Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program can be reached at (360) 695-5313 and serves Vancouver-area residents. Both programs help with family law matters including dissolution, custody, and child support. More information on Northwest Justice Project services is at nwjustice.org.
The Washington State Bar Association offers an attorney referral service at (206) 443-9722. Search their directory at wsba.org to find family law attorneys in the Clark County area. Self-help guides are available at washingtonlawhelp.org, and all official court forms can be downloaded at courts.wa.gov/forms. The Clark County Bar Association and local legal aid resources are also options for Vancouver residents seeking guidance on family law matters.
Divorce Certificates vs. Decrees
There is a difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree. The certificate is a short document that confirms a dissolution occurred. The decree is the full multi-page court order that spells out property division, custody, child support, and all other terms.
The Washington State Department of Health issues divorce certificates for dissolutions registered from 1968 to the present. Fees start at $25 per copy. The DOH does not hold divorce decrees. If you need the decree, go to the Clark County Clerk. Keep in mind it can take up to five months for the county clerk to forward records to the DOH after a case is finalized, so for very recent dissolutions, the clerk may be your only option.
Clark County Divorce Records
Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County, and all dissolution cases for city residents go through the Clark County Superior Court. For more information on the county court system, clerk resources, and records for other Clark County communities, visit the Clark County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Vancouver in Clark County. Each uses Clark County Superior Court for dissolution filings.