Benton County Dissolution Records

Benton County divorce records are filed with the Benton-Franklin Superior Court and maintained by the County Clerk in Kennewick. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get certified copies of a divorce decree, or understand how records are accessed in Benton County, this page covers the key steps. The clerk's office processes all domestic relations filings for the county, including dissolution, legal separation, and related family law matters. You can look up cases online through the statewide Washington Courts name and case search or visit the courthouse in person to review files.

Benton-Franklin Superior Court Clerk

Benton County shares its Superior Court with Franklin County through the Benton-Franklin Superior Court. Josie Delvin serves as the Benton County Clerk. Dissolution cases filed by residents of Benton County go through this shared court system. The clerk's office maintains all dissolution records, including petitions, decrees, and supporting case documents. If you need to obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree or check the status of a dissolution case, contact the clerk directly.

The clerk's office can be reached at 509-735-8388. The courthouse that serves most Benton County residents is located in Kennewick. The Washington State Courts Benton County directory lists the current bench, which includes Judges Bronson J. Brown, Joseph M. Burrowes, David L. Petersen, Diana N. Ruff, and Jacqueline Shea-Brown.

Benton County is one of the larger counties in eastern Washington, with the Tri-Cities area of Kennewick, Richland, and West Richland at its core. The court system handles a substantial volume of family law cases. The clerk is the right contact for divorce records, not the District Court or any other county office.

Note: Do not contact the Benton County District Court for dissolution records. District Court handles misdemeanors and civil cases under $100,000. Divorce filings go to Superior Court only.

The Benton County District Court page outlines that district court handles misdemeanors and smaller civil matters, not family law.

Dissolution cases belong in Superior Court, not District Court. Contact the Benton County Clerk at 509-735-8388 for divorce records.

Searching Benton County Divorce Records

The fastest free tool for searching Benton County dissolution cases is the Washington Courts Name and Case Search. You can search by party name or case number across all Washington superior courts. The database updates every 24 hours. Results show case status, party names, and docket entries. You cannot download actual documents from this tool. For certified copies or full case files, you need to go through the Benton County Clerk directly.

In person, you can visit the clerk's office at the Kennewick courthouse. Staff can search by name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID. You can review files on-site or ask for copies at the window. If you are coming for a specific document like a final decree, it helps to have the case number ready when you arrive.

For recorded documents like marriage licenses and certain property records, the Benton County Auditor maintains a searchable online archive. The Auditor's online portal, EagleWeb, covers documents from January 1972 to the present. The Auditor's office is at 7122 W Okanogan Pl, Suite E120, Kennewick. Note that divorce decrees are held by the Superior Court Clerk, not the Auditor. The Auditor's database is more useful for property records and marriage license history.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical dissolution records for many Washington counties, including Benton. You can search by county name and the keyword divorce to see what historical records exist. This is a useful option for older cases going back many decades.

The Washington State Digital Archives provides online access to historical dissolution records contributed by county clerks.

Search the Digital Archives by selecting the Divorce Records collection and entering Benton County to see available historical filings.

Benton County Court Facilitator

Benton County provides a Court Facilitator at the Benton County Justice Center in Kennewick for self-represented litigants handling family law cases. The facilitator helps with dissolution paperwork, explains court procedures, and reviews forms for completeness before you file. The facilitator does not give legal advice or act as your attorney, but this is still a valuable resource for people handling their own cases.

Appointments are by phone only. Call 509-736-3071 to schedule. The facilitator can assist with dissolution cases both with and without children. Before filing, it is a good practice to have the facilitator review your paperwork. After the meeting, double-check that all forms are complete before submitting them to the clerk.

Low-income residents can also contact the Northwest Justice Project CLEAR line at 1-888-201-1014 for free legal assistance. Their site is nwjustice.org. For all official state court forms, go to courts.wa.gov/forms.

Note: The facilitator is not available for guardianship, custody, or dependency matters at all locations. Confirm the specific services offered when you call to schedule.

What Benton County Divorce Records Contain

Dissolution case files at the Benton County Clerk include all documents filed from the start through the final decree. The Petition for Dissolution opens the case and states the marriage is irretrievably broken under RCW 26.09.030. The Summons is served on the other spouse. From there, the file may include financial declarations, proposed settlement agreements, temporary orders, parenting plans, and motions filed by either party.

The Decree of Dissolution is the final court order. It officially ends the marriage and sets the terms for property division, child custody and support, and any spousal maintenance. You need a certified copy of the decree for name changes, updating identification, or legal proof of marital status. The Benton County Clerk is the source for certified copies. The Washington State Department of Health can issue a dissolution certificate (a shorter document) for cases from 1968 onward, but for the full decree you must go to the clerk.

Dissolution records are generally public. Anyone can request copies. Sealed records, certain financial documents like tax returns, and records involving minors may have restricted access under Washington court rules.

The Washington State Courts Benton County directory lists the current Superior Court judges and the county clerk.

Use the directory to confirm current judicial officers and court contacts for Benton County.

Filing and Copy Fees in Benton County

Filing for dissolution in Benton County costs approximately $350. This includes statutory surcharges for court operations set under Washington state law. The petitioner pays when filing the Petition for Dissolution. Contact the clerk at 509-735-8388 to confirm the current exact amount before you file.

Copy fees vary depending on what you need. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies are cheaper. If you need multiple pages from a decree or settlement agreement, ask the clerk for the estimated total cost upfront. You can also ask about electronic copy options.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. File a motion and declaration with the court explaining your financial situation. If your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level or you receive public assistance, you likely qualify. Fee waiver forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms.

Washington Divorce Law in Benton County

Dissolution in Benton County follows RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a pure no-fault state. The ground for dissolution is simply that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." The court does not consider fault or misconduct. One spouse can file and the other cannot block the dissolution from proceeding.

To file in Benton County, one spouse must be a Washington State resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state, per RCW 26.09.030. There is no county-level residency requirement beyond that. You file in the county where you live. After the petition is filed and served, a mandatory 90-day waiting period applies. The dissolution cannot be finalized before the 90 days are up. No exceptions exist.

Community property rules govern how property is divided. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides community property in a just and equitable manner. Property acquired during the marriage is generally community property. Separate property includes assets owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, if maintained separately. Each case can vary based on the specific assets and agreements involved.

The Benton County Auditor's website provides online access to recorded documents and marriage license records.

The Auditor's EagleWeb portal covers recorded documents from 1972. For divorce decrees, contact the Superior Court Clerk instead.

Legal Resources for Benton County Residents

Northwest Justice Project serves Benton County residents with free legal help for low-income individuals. Call 1-888-201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org for details on services and eligibility. They handle family law cases including dissolution, custody, support modification, and legal separation.

The Washington State Bar Association lawyer referral service is at (206) 443-9722 and their directory is at wsba.org. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides for family law matters, and all official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms.

For certified dissolution certificates (not full decrees), the Washington State Department of Health maintains records from 1968 forward. The cost is $25 per certified or informational copy. Keep in mind that new records can take up to five months to reach the DOH after the county clerk files them. For recent cases, go directly to the Benton County Clerk.

Cities in Benton County

Benton County includes several communities. All dissolution cases from cities in the county are filed at the Benton-Franklin Superior Court.

Other communities in Benton County include Prosser, West Richland, Benton City, and Finley. All dissolution cases from these areas also go through the Benton-Franklin Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Benton County. File your dissolution case in the county where you reside.