Wenatchee Divorce Records Lookup
Wenatchee divorce records are held and maintained by the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a copy of a decree, or look up family law filings tied to a Wenatchee address, the Chelan County Clerk is your source. Wenatchee is the county seat of Chelan County in north-central Washington. All family law and dissolution cases for Wenatchee residents are processed through the Chelan County Superior Court. The clerk's office is located in the Chelan County Courthouse in Wenatchee, which also houses the Family Law Facilitator's office for self-represented parties.
Wenatchee Overview
Where Wenatchee Dissolution Cases Are Filed
All Wenatchee residents file for dissolution at Chelan County Superior Court. The Chelan County Superior Court Clerk is an elected official and the administrative and financial officer of the Superior Court for the entire county. The clerk's office receives, processes, and preserves all documents filed in Superior Court causes of action, including divorce and family law cases. The office is in the Chelan County Courthouse in Wenatchee.
Court staff can provide the status of a specific case, general information on court rules and procedures, court-approved forms, and scheduling information. They cannot give legal advice, advise whether a case should be filed, tell you what to say in court, or fill out your forms. If you need that kind of help, the Family Law Facilitator at 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501, is the right place to go.
Chelan County District Court, located at 350 Orondo Avenue, Floor 4, Wenatchee, handles misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic infractions, and small claims. The District Court does not hear divorce or family law cases. Those go to Chelan County Superior Court. If you have questions about a dissolution, contact the Superior Court Clerk, not the District Court.
| Office | Chelan County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Chelan County Courthouse Wenatchee, WA |
| Website | co.chelan.wa.us/clerk |
| Facilitator | 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501 Wenatchee, WA 98801 |
| Facilitator Phone | Schedule in person or by phone |
The Washington State Courts Chelan County directory lists contact information for judges, clerks, and court administrators serving Wenatchee and all of Chelan County.
Wenatchee dissolution case records are maintained at the Chelan County Superior Court. Use the state courts directory to confirm judge and clerk contact information for your specific case.
Searching Wenatchee Divorce Records
Several online tools let you search for dissolution cases in Chelan County without visiting the courthouse. These work best for confirming whether a case exists or checking its current status. For certified copies or full document access, contact the Chelan County Clerk directly.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is free and available to anyone. You can search by party name or case number across Washington courts, including Chelan County Superior Court. Results include case type, party names, and current status. The database updates every 24 hours. Results are for reference only; the official record stays with the court clerk.
The Odyssey Portal provides public access to case records for Washington Superior Courts, including Chelan County. You can search by name, case number, or attorney name. The portal shows docket entries and hearing information. It does not provide full copies of filed documents. For those, contact the clerk's office or visit the courthouse.
The Washington Courts Case Locator covers all court levels statewide. For Wenatchee dissolution records, filter to Chelan County Superior Court. The locator shows case numbers, parties, and filing dates but not document images. Data updates daily.
For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds copies of dissolution records that Chelan County has submitted over the years. Search by county and keyword to see if records for a specific older case are available. This can save a trip to the courthouse for cases filed many years ago.
The Washington State Department of Health Vital Records office issues divorce certificates for dissolutions registered from 1968 to present. This is separate from the full divorce decree held by the county clerk.
A divorce certificate confirms that a dissolution occurred but does not include the full terms. For the complete decree, contact the Chelan County Clerk directly.
Filing for Divorce in Wenatchee
Wenatchee residents file for dissolution under RCW Chapter 26.09. The case is filed at Chelan County Superior Court. Washington calls this a "dissolution of marriage" rather than a divorce, though the legal effect is the same. The process starts with filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons with the clerk's office. The other spouse must be served 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, meaning you do not need to prove that either spouse did anything wrong. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Once the petition is served, the law requires a 90-day waiting period before the dissolution can be finalized.
The Chelan County Family Law Facilitator at 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501 offers help for self-represented parties. Appointments must be scheduled by the petitioner, respondent, or a named party in person or by phone. Children and third parties cannot schedule appointments. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. The fee is $40 for a one-hour prepaid appointment. Walk-ins are available Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. for $20 per 30 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Form packets for divorce with children and divorce without children are each $20 from the facilitator's office. Free forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms and washingtonlawhelp.org. Local Court Rules in Chelan County require self-represented parties to get pre-approval of all temporary and final orders from the courthouse Facilitator or a private attorney before the court will enter those orders. Cases with children also require a parenting plan and child support worksheets, calculated under RCW Chapter 26.19.
Chelan County Local Court Rules require self-represented parties to get pre-approval of all temporary and final orders from the Facilitator or a private attorney before submission to the court. Do not skip this step.
Fees for Wenatchee Dissolution Records
The filing fee for dissolution in Chelan County is approximately $350. This includes state statutory surcharges. Verify the current amount with the clerk before filing. Fees change periodically and can vary based on whether children are involved or what documents are needed.
Copies of records from the clerk carry their own fees. Certified copies typically cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Plain copies cost less. For current copy fees, contact the Chelan County Clerk directly. The facilitator charges $40 for a one-hour appointment and $20 for a walk-in 30-minute session. There are no refunds for missed facilitator appointments, and the party must be personally present.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Washington courts offer a fee waiver process. File a motion and financial declaration showing your household income and circumstances. Residents on public assistance or with household income below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. Fee waiver forms are at the courthouse and at courts.wa.gov/forms.
For a divorce certificate (as opposed to the full decree), the Washington State Department of Health charges starting at $25 per copy. The DOH holds records from 1968 to the present. For full decrees with all terms of the dissolution, you must go to the Chelan County Clerk.
Legal Resources in Wenatchee
Several organizations serve Wenatchee residents who need help with dissolution matters. If you cannot afford an attorney, there are free and low-cost options available.
The Northwest Justice Project handles family law matters for low-income residents through their CLEAR line at (888) 201-1014. Details are at nwjustice.org. The Washington State Bar Association offers a statewide attorney referral service at (206) 443-9722. Search their directory at wsba.org to find a family law attorney in Chelan County. Self-help guides are available at washingtonlawhelp.org, and all official court forms can be downloaded for free at courts.wa.gov/forms.
Chelan County Divorce Records
Wenatchee is the county seat of Chelan County, and all dissolution cases for city residents go through the Chelan County Superior Court. For more information on the county court system, clerk details, and records across the full county, visit the Chelan County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are in central and eastern Washington. Each has its own county court handling dissolution filings.