Clallam County Divorce Records

Clallam County divorce records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Port Angeles. The clerk's office files and indexes all dissolution cases, domestic filings, and related family law records for the county. If you need to find a divorce case, request a certified copy of a decree, or check the status of a pending dissolution, you can search online through the Washington State Courts portal or visit the clerk's office in person. This guide covers how to search Clallam County divorce records, where to go for help, and what fees and procedures apply.

Clallam County Superior Court Clerk

The Superior Court Clerk's office in Port Angeles is the official keeper of all dissolution records filed in Clallam County. The clerk files and indexes criminal felony cases, civil filings, domestic cases, probate matters, paternity and adoption filings, and juvenile records. For divorce and family law matters, the domestic filing category covers everything from dissolution petitions to final decrees.

County Clerk Nikki Botnen oversees the office. You can reach the clerk by phone, email, or in person. The office does not accept fax or email filings for new cases. All new case filings must be dropped off or mailed in with the applicable filing fees. Credit and debit cards are accepted; personal checks are not.

The Clallam County Clerk of the Superior Court page has current office details and resources for records requests.

The clerk's office is the first stop for certified copies of dissolution decrees or case file documents.

How to Search Clallam County Divorce Records

There are two main ways to search Clallam County divorce records: online and in person. Online searches give you basic case information quickly. In-person visits let you review the full file and request certified copies on the same day.

The statewide Washington Courts Name and Case Search lets you look up dissolution cases across all Washington counties including Clallam. You can search by party name or case number. The data updates every 24 hours. Keep in mind that search results are reference material, not official court records. Actual case documents must be requested from the clerk's office.

To request records by email, send your request to Web_Clerk@ClallamCountyWA.gov. Your email must include the case name, case number, and a list of the specific documents you need. The clerk does not accept vague requests. If you don't have the case number, try searching the state portal first to get it.

For in-person access, go to Suite 9 at 223 E. 4th Street in Port Angeles. Bring a photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number and make copies on the spot. The Requesting Superior Court Records page outlines the full process, including what information to include and how payment works.

E-filing is available for documents in existing cases through the Clallam County Superior Court Clerk E-Filing portal. Note that new cases cannot be e-filed; they must be submitted in person or by mail. All e-filed documents must be in PDF format, and color or grayscale documents will be rejected.

You can also search older Clallam County divorce records through the Washington State Archives Digital Archives. Many county clerks have provided copies of historical divorce records to the state archives. Search the site by selecting the Divorce Records collection and entering the county name.

Note: The Washington State Courts case search site is updated every 24 hours at 3:00 AM; recent filings from the same day may not appear yet.

Clallam County Superior Court

All divorce cases in Clallam County are filed in the Clallam County Superior Court. This is a court of general statewide jurisdiction and the principal trial court for the county. The Superior Court handles criminal felonies, civil cases, domestic relations, probate matters, and juvenile cases. The court has three active judges: Simon Barnhart, W. Brent Basden, and Elizabeth A. Stanley.

The Superior Court is where all dissolution petitions are filed and where judges enter final decrees.

Ex parte hearings are held Monday through Friday at 1:00 PM, with an 11:00 AM filing deadline. Friday civil and criminal motion calendars rotate between the three judges. Child support matters are heard on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM. Knowing these calendars helps if you need to appear for a hearing or schedule a motion in your dissolution case.

Clallam County Family Court

The Clallam County Family Court handles all family law matters including divorce and legal separation with or without children, parenting plans, establishment of paternity, adoption, child support, and protection orders. It is a subdivision of the Superior Court. Many proceedings require mandatory court forms, which are available through the Washington State Courts website.

Family Court handles all dissolution and domestic relations cases for Clallam County residents.

Clallam County has a Court Facilitator who helps self-represented people with family law cases. The facilitator can help you identify the right forms, explain how to file documents, and give procedural guidance. They charge a $35 fee per session. Most self-represented divorce cases involving children require two to three visits from start to finish. The facilitator is not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice. They also cannot act for only one side if both spouses are involved. You can reach the facilitator at 360-417-2588. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to noon and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Clallam County also approves online parenting programs for parents who need to meet compliance requirements under Local Court Rule 95. Check with the Family Court directly to confirm which programs are currently approved.

Fees for Clallam County Divorce Records

Filing a dissolution petition in Clallam County costs approximately $350. This covers statutory court fees and surcharges. The petitioner pays this amount when they file. Fees can vary slightly based on whether children are involved or if additional motions are filed.

For copies of records, the fee schedule is:

• Non-certified paper copies: $0.50 per page
• Electronic copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 per additional page
• Archival search deposit (cases not in the digital system): $15.00 non-refundable

Certified copies must be obtained in person or by mail. They cannot be purchased electronically. A certified copy includes the Official Seal of the Court and a Deputy Clerk's signature. Agencies like the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, financial institutions, and passport offices often require certified copies rather than plain copies. Check with the agency before ordering.

Payment is accepted by cash, cashier's check, money order, or through the LexisNexis online payment portal. Credit and debit cards are accepted at the office. Personal checks are not accepted.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. File a motion and declaration showing your financial situation. People who receive public assistance or have household income below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. Forms are available at the courthouse or on the Washington Courts website.

Note: Certified or exemplified copies are not available electronically; you must request them in person or by mail with proper payment.

Washington Divorce Law and Clallam County Filings

Divorce in Washington is governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Under RCW 26.09.030, either spouse must be a resident of Washington State or a member of the armed forces stationed here. No minimum county residency period is required.

The process starts when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons with the Clallam County Superior Court Clerk. The other spouse must be served with those documents. If both parties agree on all terms, they can file an agreed decree. Contested cases may need mediation or a trial before a judge enters the final Decree of Dissolution.

Washington requires a mandatory 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served. No exceptions exist. A dissolution cannot be finalized until that window has passed.

Property is divided under community property rules. RCW 26.09.080 directs courts to divide property in a just and equitable manner. Anything acquired during the marriage is typically community property. Assets owned before marriage, and gifts or inheritances kept separate during the marriage, are generally treated as separate property.

If children are involved, the court requires a parenting plan and a child support order. The court considers the best interests of the child in all custody determinations. Parents who cannot agree must go through mediation before the court will schedule a trial.

Divorce Certificates from Washington State DOH

The Washington State Department of Health holds marriage and divorce records from 1968 to present. DOH can issue a divorce certificate (also called a certificate of dissolution) after it receives the record from the county clerk's office. Fees start at $25 per certified or noncertified copy.

Keep in mind that DOH holds certificates, not decrees. A divorce certificate confirms that a divorce occurred. A divorce decree is the full multi-page court order that spells out the terms. Decrees must be obtained from the Clallam County Superior Court Clerk, not DOH. If a divorce was finalized within the past five months, the clerk may not have sent the record to DOH yet. Contact the clerk directly in that case.

Clallam County District Court

The Clallam County District Court handles traffic infractions, misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims, and civil cases up to $100,000. It does not handle divorce or family law matters. All dissolution filings go to the Superior Court, not the District Court. If you contact the District Court about a divorce case, they will redirect you to the Superior Court Clerk.

District Court I is located at 223 E. 4th Street, Suite 10, Port Angeles. It shares the building with the Superior Court Clerk at Suite 9.

Legal Help for Divorce in Clallam County

Several resources are available if you need help with a dissolution case in Clallam County. The Court Facilitator at the Clallam County Family Court is a good starting point for self-represented individuals. Reach them at 360-417-2588 during their set office hours. There is a $35 session fee.

For free legal help if you have low income, contact the Northwest Justice Project CLEAR line at (888) 201-1014. They handle family law cases including dissolution for qualifying residents across Washington. The Washington Law Help website at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides and plain-language explanations of the divorce process.

All official court forms for dissolution are available free at courts.wa.gov/forms. You can find the Petition for Dissolution, Summons, Parenting Plan, Child Support Worksheets, and all other required forms there. The Washington State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service you can reach at (206) 443-9722 or through wsba.org.

Note: Pro se litigants in Clallam County are expected to know all laws and court rules that apply to their case, just as a lawyer would. The court facilitator and clerk staff cannot give legal advice.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clallam County. If you are unsure which county handles your case, check the address where you live. File in the county where you or your spouse resides.