Adams County Divorce Records
Adams County divorce records are filed with the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Ritzville. If you need to find a dissolution case or get copies of court documents, the clerk's office is your first stop. The Clerk serves as the official keeper of all Superior Court records in Adams County, including family law and domestic relations cases. You can search case information through the Odyssey online portal, request copies by mail or in person, or use the statewide Washington Courts name and case search tool to locate a filing. Whether you need a certified decree for legal purposes or just want to look up a case number, this guide covers what you need to know about searching and obtaining Adams County dissolution records.
Adams County Overview
Adams County Superior Court Clerk
The Adams County Clerk's office maintains all Superior Court records in the county. That includes every dissolution case, family law filing, and domestic relations judgment. The Clerk is an elected official whose job is to protect the accuracy and integrity of court records and give the public access to them. Katie Sloan (Catherine R. Sloan) currently serves as the Adams County Clerk. Her office handles records requests, processes new filings, and issues certified copies of court documents.
The clerk's office is at the Adams County Courthouse in Ritzville. You can reach the office by phone at 509-659-3257 or by email at clerk@co.adams.wa.us. Staff can tell you whether a case exists, provide updates on case status, and explain the copy request process. They cannot give you legal advice or fill out forms for you.
The Washington State Courts directory lists contact information for all county clerks, judges, and court administrators across the state. For Adams County specifically, the Adams County Court Directory shows current judicial officers including Judge K. Peter Palubicki on the Superior Court bench and Kim Braden as court administrator.
The Adams County Clerk's official page describes the office's role as both administrative and financial officer of the Superior Court, protecting the independence of the judiciary through accurate record-keeping.
| Office | Adams County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
210 W Broadway Ave Suite 303 P.O. Box 187 Ritzville, WA 99169 |
| Phone | 509-659-3257 |
| clerk@co.adams.wa.us | |
| Records Contact | Haley Anderson, haleya@co.adams.wa.us |
| Website | co.adams.wa.us/366/Clerk |
Note: Staff can provide general guidance on the filing process, but they cannot interpret court documents or tell you what to say in your case.
The Adams County Clerk's website provides details on how to contact the office and request court records.
The office handles all Superior Court filings, including dissolution cases and domestic relations records going back many years.
Search Adams County Divorce Records
You have a few ways to look up dissolution records in Adams County. The fastest starting point for many people is the statewide Washington Courts Name and Case Search. This tool lets you search by party name or case number across all Washington superior courts. The site updates every 24 hours. It shows basic case information like party names, docket entries, and case status, but you cannot download documents from it.
Adams County also uses the Odyssey court management system. The county's Odyssey Code is 01. Through the Odyssey Portal, attorneys and registered users can access publicly available Superior Court records remotely. This includes criminal, civil, domestic, probate, and juvenile matters. Public access to the portal is available for standard case records. Attorneys seeking access to confidential records must register separately with the clerk's office and submit required agreements.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 210 W Broadway Ave in Ritzville. Staff can search by name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID. You can review the case file in the office during regular business hours. Certified copies of the Decree of Dissolution can be ordered at the window or by mail. Haley Anderson at haleya@co.adams.wa.us handles records and transcript requests for the county.
Note: Case information on the statewide search site is for reference only. The official record is held by the Adams County Clerk, and certified copies must be ordered directly from that office.
The Washington State Courts Adams County directory lists current judges, the clerk, and court staff.
This directory is a useful reference when you need to confirm who handles specific court functions in Adams County.
Adams County Public Records Requests
Adams County uses NextRequest as its online public records portal. You can create an account, submit a request for county records, and track the status of your request electronically. This system covers general county administrative records. For Superior Court records like divorce decrees and family law case files, the clerk's office is the correct place to submit your request, not the general county portal.
When submitting a request for dissolution records, give as much detail as possible. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year the case was filed, the case number if you have it, and the specific documents you need. This helps the clerk locate your records quickly. The county must respond to public records requests within five business days under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56.
Fees for copies depend on the format and volume. The clerk may charge copy fees based on the number of pages and whether you need certified or non-certified copies. For certified copies of dissolution decrees, you can also contact the office directly at 509-659-3257 to ask about current rates before you submit your request.
The Adams County NextRequest portal handles general public records submissions electronically.
For divorce decrees specifically, contact the Superior Court Clerk rather than the general county records portal.
What Adams County Divorce Records Include
A dissolution case file in Adams County contains all documents filed from the start to the finish of the case. This starts with the Petition for Dissolution, which is the document one spouse files to begin the process. It states the marriage is irretrievably broken under RCW 26.09.030 and lists what the petitioner is asking for. A Summons is filed at the same time and must be served on the other spouse.
The Decree of Dissolution is the key document that officially ends the marriage. It sets out the terms: how property and debts are divided, any parenting plan and child residential schedule, child support amounts, and spousal maintenance if ordered. This is the document most people need for name changes, updating accounts, or proving marital status. Certified copies of the decree come from the Adams County Clerk.
Other documents in the file may include financial declarations, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and any orders issued during the case. Most records in the clerk's file are public. Some sealed documents, certain financial records, and records involving minors may have restricted access. The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical dissolution records for many Washington counties; you can search by county name and the keyword divorce to see what Adams County records are available there.
Note: The Washington State Department of Health issues divorce certificates (also called certificates of dissolution), not full decrees. For the full decree, you must contact the Adams County Clerk directly.
The Washington State Courts Court Directory covers all county court systems statewide.
This is a good resource for confirming court contact information across Washington counties.
Filing and Copy Fees
Filing for dissolution in Adams County costs approximately $350. This figure includes various statutory surcharges built into Washington's court fee structure. The petitioner pays this fee when submitting the Petition for Dissolution. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the clerk's office before you file.
For copies of court documents, the clerk charges fees based on page count and copy type. You can expect to pay around $5 for the first page of a certified copy and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies cost less. If you need a certified decree for a specific legal purpose, ask the clerk what the total cost will be for your document set.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You file a motion and declaration asking the court to waive fees, explaining your financial situation. Courts generally grant waivers when household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level or you receive public assistance. Fee waiver forms are on the Washington Courts forms website.
Tip: Call the Adams County Clerk at 509-659-3257 to confirm current filing and copy fees before submitting any requests or filings.
Washington Divorce Law and the Adams County Process
Dissolution in Adams County follows state law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." Fault or misconduct is not a valid ground and cannot be raised to prevent the dissolution from going through.
To file in Adams County, either spouse must be a Washington State resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state. There is no set minimum time you must live in Adams County specifically before filing. You just need to be a state resident. This is set out in RCW 26.09.030.
Once the petition is filed and the other spouse is served, the law requires a 90-day waiting period before the dissolution can be finalized. No exceptions exist to this rule. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can file agreed paperwork and have it entered as soon as the waiting period ends. Contested cases may go through mediation or a hearing before a judge enters a final decree.
Property is divided under community property rules. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides community property in a just and equitable way. Community property is generally anything acquired during the marriage. Separate property, such as assets owned before marriage or gifts received during the marriage, is typically kept by the spouse who owns it if it was maintained separately.
90-Day Waiting Period: Washington law requires a mandatory 90-day waiting period from the date of filing and service before a dissolution can be finalized. There are no exceptions.
Legal Help in Adams County
If you need legal assistance with a dissolution case in Adams County, several resources exist. Northwest Justice Project offers free legal help to low-income residents across Washington. Call their CLEAR line at 1-888-201-1014. Their site at nwjustice.org has eligibility details and service information. They handle family law matters including dissolution, custody, and support.
The Washington State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service. Call (206) 443-9722 or search their directory at wsba.org. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides and plain-language explanations of family law procedures. Official court forms for dissolution cases are free at courts.wa.gov/forms.
The Washington State Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates (certificates of dissolution) for cases from 1968 to the present. These cost $25 per copy. Keep in mind the DOH issues only the certificate, not the full decree. Also note it can take up to five months after the divorce for the county clerk to send the record to the DOH, so for recent divorces you may need to go directly to the Adams County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Adams County. If you are unsure where to file, check which county you reside in. You must file your dissolution in the county where you or your spouse lives.