Divorce Records in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County divorce records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk at the Hall of Justice in Kelso. The clerk's office maintains permanent records for all dissolution cases, family law matters, civil lawsuits, and criminal felonies filed in Cowlitz County Superior Court. If you need to search for a divorce case, request a copy of a decree, or find out how to file, this page covers the key procedures, contacts, and fees. Cowlitz County is served by the Hall of Justice and has multiple family law resources for residents who need help.

Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court

County Clerk Staci L. Myklebust oversees the Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court. The office keeps permanent records of all cases filed in the Superior Court, including dissolution and family law cases, felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, probates and guardianships, and mental or alcohol commitment cases. A deputy clerk must be present at all court proceedings and maintains official minutes for each hearing. The clerk also marks and secures all exhibits introduced in trials and hearings.

The clerk's office is on the second floor of the Hall of Justice in Kelso, just outside the entrance to Courtroom 2. You can reach the office for record requests, copy fees, and filing questions. Court staff can give you information but are not permitted to give legal advice. If you need legal guidance, contact an attorney. This is required under RCW 2.32.090.

Visit the Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court page for current details.

The Cowlitz County Clerk's Office is the official keeper of all dissolution case files and is located on the second floor of the Hall of Justice.

How to Search Cowlitz County Divorce Records

The Cowlitz County Clerk Search Court Records page lets you request copies of court records from a Superior Court case file. You can ask for copies to be delivered physically or electronically. Submit your request with the case name, case number, and the specific documents you need. Accurate information speeds up processing. Missing or wrong details can cause delays.

The Cowlitz County Clerk's records request form allows physical or electronic delivery of court documents including dissolution decrees.

For archival searches of older cases not in the digital system, there is a non-refundable $15 deposit due before processing begins. Copy costs are deducted from this deposit. Digital requests over 100 pages carry an additional $30 clerk service fee. Standard processing takes at least two weeks. If you need a faster turnaround, pay an additional $30 to expedite the request.

Dropbox links for electronic delivery are valid for 14 days. Download your files and store them locally before the link expires. CD or thumb drive requests not picked up within 14 days will be destroyed.

You can also search cases online using the statewide Washington Courts Name and Case Search. Search by party name or case number. Data refreshes every 24 hours. Results are reference material and are not the official court record. Certified copies must be requested from the clerk's office.

Older Cowlitz County divorce records may be available through the Washington State Archives Digital Archives. Select the Divorce Records collection and search for Cowlitz County.

Note: Fees for archival searches are set under RCW 36.18.016(4) and 36.18.016(11).

Cowlitz County Superior Court

The Cowlitz County Superior Court is located at the Hall of Justice at 312 SW First Avenue in Kelso. The court currently has five elected Superior Court Judges: Gary B. Bashor (Presiding), Michael H. Evans, Stephen M. Warning, Marilyn K. Haan, and Patricia M. Fassett. Court Commissioner Tierra A. Busby and Court Administrator Chadwick M. Connors also serve the court. Court administration hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The court provides live-streamed hearings through CourtStream and handles certain dockets via Zoom virtual hearings. Family law dockets are a hybrid of in-person and Zoom. Check the court's Zoom Hearing Page calendar for login information before your scheduled hearing date.

The Washington State Courts Cowlitz County Directory lists all judicial officers and contact information for the county's court system.

The state courts directory confirms Cowlitz County judicial personnel and their contact details.

Cowlitz County Family Law Division

The Cowlitz County Superior Court Family Law Division handles all domestic relations cases. This includes dissolution, paternity, child support, third-party custody, and adoption. Cases are heard at both the Hall of Justice in Kelso and the Juvenile Center.

The court has a Court Facilitator who helps unrepresented parties move their case toward resolution. Per Cowlitz County Local Court Rule 92 (CCLCR 92), certain final paperwork must be reviewed by the facilitator or a family law attorney before being placed on the docket for a final hearing. If you don't have an attorney, contact the Court Facilitator early in the process. The facilitator can also help you request a Guardian Ad Litem if one is needed for a custody or visitation case.

The court provides Guardian Ad Litems to represent children's interests in custody and visitation cases. The GAL program is administered by the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Parenting classes are required when children are involved. Check the family law section of the court website for a current list of approved parenting programs.

All family law forms are available from the court's local forms page at cowlitzsuperiorcourt.us/forms1. Local forms include categories for family law, settlement conferences, fee waivers, ADA accommodations, and self-help. Spanish-translated forms are available under the Formas Traducidas link. Washington State mandatory forms can be downloaded free from courts.wa.gov/forms.

Filing for Divorce in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County dissolution cases are governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault divorce state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state. No minimum time living in Cowlitz County specifically is required before filing there.

You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons with the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk. The filing fee is approximately $350. The other spouse must be served with the documents. If both parties agree on all terms, they can file an agreed final decree. If they disagree on property, custody, or support, the case may go through mediation or proceed to trial before a judge enters the Decree of Dissolution.

Property division follows community property rules under RCW 26.09.080. The court divides property in a just and equitable manner. Property acquired during the marriage is typically community property. Assets owned before the marriage and gifts or inheritances kept separate are usually treated as separate property.

If children are involved, a parenting plan and child support order are required. Washington courts focus on the best interests of the child when making any custody or residential schedule decisions. Parents who cannot agree on a parenting plan are typically required to go through mediation first.

Cowlitz County Divorce Fees and Costs

The filing fee for a dissolution petition in Cowlitz County is approximately $350. This covers the standard statutory court fees under Washington law. The petitioner pays this amount when filing. Other costs can include process server fees, parenting class fees, and copy fees for documents from the case file.

Copy and search fees from the clerk's office follow this structure:

• Archival search deposit for cases not in the digital system: $15 non-refundable
• Digital requests over 100 pages: $30 clerk service fee
• Expedited request: additional $30
• Standard processing: minimum 2 weeks

Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. File a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. If your income is below 200% of the federal poverty level or you receive public assistance, you generally qualify. Fee waiver forms are available at cowlitzsuperiorcourt.us/forms1 under the Fee Waivers and ADA section, or free from courts.wa.gov/forms.

Note: Copy and search fees are set by statute under RCW 36.18.016. Check with the clerk's office to confirm current rates before submitting your request.

Washington State Divorce Certificates

The Washington State Department of Health holds divorce records from 1968 to present. DOH can issue a divorce certificate confirming that a dissolution occurred. Fees start at $25 per copy. DOH holds certificates only. The full Decree of Dissolution, which sets out property division, custody terms, and support amounts, must be obtained from the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk. If the divorce was finalized within the past five months, the clerk may not have sent the record to DOH yet. Contact the clerk directly for recent cases.

Cowlitz County District Court

Cowlitz County District Court is located at 312 SW 1st Avenue, Room 207, Kelso, WA 98626. The court phone number is 360-577-3073. It handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, civil cases up to $100,000, and small claims. It does not handle divorce or family law matters. Dissolution and domestic relations cases are filed in the Superior Court, not the District Court. If you contact the District Court about a divorce case, they will direct you to the Superior Court Clerk.

Legal Help for Cowlitz County Residents

If you need help with a dissolution case in Cowlitz County, several options are available. The Northwest Justice Project CLEAR line at (888) 201-1014 provides free legal assistance for low-income Washington residents, including help with family law cases. Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides and explanations of the divorce process in plain language.

The Washington State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722. You can search their directory at wsba.org. For mandatory court forms, go to courts.wa.gov/forms. Local Cowlitz County forms are at cowlitzsuperiorcourt.us/forms1.

The Court Facilitator at Cowlitz County Superior Court helps unrepresented parties with procedural questions and form review. Contact the Superior Court at (360) 577-3085 to reach the facilitator. Remember that the facilitator cannot give legal advice and that you are expected to know all applicable laws and court rules when you represent yourself in court.

Cities in Cowlitz County

All cities in Cowlitz County file dissolution cases with the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cowlitz County. File your dissolution case in the county where you or your spouse lives at the time of filing.