Search Chelan County Divorce Records

Chelan County divorce records are maintained by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Wenatchee. Whether you need to look up a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a final decree, or understand how the filing process works, the clerk's office is your main contact. Martin D. Young serves as the elected Chelan County Clerk and is responsible for all Superior Court records in the county, including family law and domestic relations filings. This page covers how to search for dissolution records in Chelan County, what documents are in a case file, where to get copies, and what resources are available for people navigating the process.

Chelan County Superior Court Clerk

The Chelan County Clerk is an elected official under the Washington State Constitution. The clerk serves as both the administrative and financial officer of the Superior Court. This office receives and permanently preserves all documents filed in Superior Court cases, including every dissolution filing. The clerk also handles financial functions, collects statutory fees and fines, and issues court documents like letters testamentary and writs. Martin D. Young holds this position for Chelan County.

The clerk's office is at the Chelan County Courthouse in Wenatchee. For dissolution records and family law case files, this is the office you contact. Staff can confirm whether a case exists, provide case status updates, and process copy requests. They cannot give legal advice or help you fill out your forms.

The Chelan County Superior Court is the court of general jurisdiction for all divorce proceedings in the county. Three Superior Court judges currently serve: Judge Robert E. Jourdan (Department 1), Judge Travis C. Brandt (Department 2), and Judge Kristin M. Ferrera (Department 3). Court Commissioner Tracy S. Brandt also hears matters. The Washington State Courts Chelan County directory has current contact details for all judicial officers.

The Washington State Courts Chelan County directory lists current judges, the county clerk, and other court staff.

Use this directory to confirm current contact information for the Chelan County court system.

How to Find Chelan County Divorce Records

The Washington Courts Name and Case Search is a free starting point for looking up dissolution cases in Chelan County. This tool covers all Washington superior courts and lets you search by party name or case number. The site updates every 24 hours at 3 a.m. It shows basic case data like party names, docket entries, and status, but it does not let you download the actual documents. Think of it as a directory, not a document source.

For the actual case file, you need to go to the Chelan County Clerk. You can visit in person at 350 Orondo Avenue in Wenatchee during regular courthouse hours. Staff can search by name or case number and process copy requests on-site. Certified copies of the Decree of Dissolution are available directly from the clerk's window. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit.

The Washington State Digital Archives has a Chelan County Superior Court collection that includes civil, criminal, divorce, and probate case files. Each case file in the archive contains documents filed by both parties and the presiding judge, including decrees, orders, pleadings, and other filings. Cases are ordered numerically by date initiated. Note that adoption, dependency, and mental competency case files are restricted and not available online; you must contact the clerk's office directly for those. Personal identifiers may appear in older records due to the rules in effect at the time of filing.

Note: Case information from the statewide portal is for reference only. The official record is held by the Chelan County Clerk. For certified copies, you must order directly from the clerk's office.

The Washington State Department of Health vital records page explains how to obtain certified dissolution certificates for cases from 1968 forward.

The DOH issues dissolution certificates, not full decrees. For the complete decree, you must contact the Chelan County Clerk directly.

Chelan County Family Law Facilitator

The Chelan County Family Law Facilitator helps self-represented parties navigate the dissolution process. Glena Valentine serves as the Court Facilitator and Program Administrator. The facilitator office is at 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours until 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. daily.

Appointments must be scheduled in advance by the petitioner, respondent, or a named party in the court action. Call to schedule. Children and third parties cannot schedule appointments. The fee for a one-hour scheduled appointment is $40, paid in advance. Walk-in sessions are available Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at a cost of $20 for 30 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis. Refunds are not available for missed scheduled appointments.

Chelan County Local Court Rules require self-represented parties to get pre-approval of all temporary and final orders from the Chelan County or Douglas County Courthouse Facilitator, or from a private attorney, before presenting them to the court. This is a local rule that matters for how you handle your paperwork.

Form packets are available from the facilitator. The Divorce With Children packet and the Divorce Without Children packet are each $20. The facilitator cannot give legal advice, represent you in court, or fill out your forms. But they can point out errors and check that your paperwork is complete before you file. Official court forms are also free at courts.wa.gov/forms.

Note: The Chelan County facilitator handles family law cases only and does not assist with guardianship, custody without a parent, or dependency matters.

Chelan County Dissolution Case Files

A dissolution case file at the Chelan County Clerk holds everything submitted from the start of the case through the final decree. The Petition for Dissolution starts 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 grows to include financial declarations, proposed parenting plans, any motions filed, temporary orders, and eventually the Final Decree of Dissolution.

The Decree of Dissolution is the most important document in the file. It officially ends the marriage and sets the terms: how property and debt are divided, any parenting plan and residential schedule for children, child support, and spousal maintenance if ordered. Certified copies of the decree are what you need for name changes, updating government-issued ID, or proving marital status for legal or financial purposes. Only the Chelan County Clerk can issue certified copies of decrees. The Washington State Department of Health only has dissolution certificates, which are much shorter documents.

Most records in the file are public. You do not have to be a party to the case to request copies. Adoption, dependency, and mental competency records are restricted. Sealed financial documents may also be restricted. The Washington State Archives digital collection for Chelan County Superior Court notes that sealed or confidential documents cannot be viewed or purchased online, and that questions about specific record contents should be directed to the clerk before ordering.

Filing and Copy Fees

Filing for dissolution in Chelan County costs approximately $350. This includes statutory filing fees and surcharges required under Washington state law. The petitioner pays this when filing the Petition for Dissolution. Contact the Chelan County Clerk to confirm the current exact amount before you file, as fees can change.

Copies of court documents are available from the clerk for a fee based on the number of pages and whether certification is required. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page. Non-certified copies are less expensive. If you need a full multi-page decree with certification, ask the clerk for an estimate so you can prepare the right payment amount.

Fee waivers are available for individuals who cannot afford court costs. You file a motion and declaration showing your financial situation. The court reviews it and determines whether you qualify. Generally, if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level or you receive public assistance, you are likely eligible. Waiver forms are available at the courthouse and on the Washington Courts forms site.

Divorce Law and Filing in Chelan County

Dissolution in Chelan County is governed by Washington state law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only valid ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." The court does not accept fault-based reasons. Either spouse can file, and the other cannot prevent the dissolution from proceeding.

Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington State resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state to file here. There is no required length of time in Chelan County specifically. Once you file and the other spouse is served, the law imposes a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the dissolution can be finalized. No exceptions apply.

Property is divided under Washington's community property rules. RCW 26.09.080 requires the court to divide community property in a just and equitable manner. Community property is generally anything acquired during the marriage. Separate property, such as assets owned before marriage or gifts and inheritances received individually during the marriage and kept separate, stays with the spouse who owns it.

If both spouses agree on all terms, they can submit agreed final paperwork as soon as the 90-day period ends. If there are disputes, the case may go to mediation or a hearing before a judge. In Chelan County, self-represented parties must get pre-approval of all temporary and final orders from the facilitator or a private attorney before presenting them to the court.

Legal Help in Chelan County

Northwest Justice Project provides free legal assistance to low-income residents across Washington. Call 1-888-201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. They handle dissolution, custody, support, and other family law matters for people who qualify based on income. This is one of the best free options for Chelan County residents who cannot afford an attorney.

The Washington State Bar Association lawyer referral service is at (206) 443-9722. Their directory is at wsba.org. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has plain-language guides and self-help resources for family law procedures in Washington. All official court forms for dissolution cases are free at courts.wa.gov/forms.

For dissolution certificates (not the full decree), the Washington State Department of Health issues certified copies for divorces from 1968 to the present. Each copy costs $25. Note that it can take up to five months after the divorce date for the county clerk to transmit the record to the DOH, so for recent dissolutions you may need to go directly to the Chelan County Clerk. The clerk is the right source for the full Decree of Dissolution at any time.

Cities in Chelan County

Chelan County includes several communities. All dissolution filings from the county go through the Chelan County Superior Court in Wenatchee.

Other communities in Chelan County include East Wenatchee (Douglas County), Cashmere, Leavenworth, and Chelan. Dissolution cases from all of these areas file through Chelan County Superior Court if the parties reside in Chelan County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chelan County. File your dissolution in the county where you or your spouse lives.