Garfield County Divorce Records
Garfield County divorce records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Pomeroy, Washington. The Clerk's office is the official keeper of all dissolution case files and decrees for this county. Garfield County is one of Washington's smallest counties by population, located in the southeastern corner of the state. All family law matters, including divorce, are heard in Garfield County Superior Court. This page explains how to get copies of dissolution records, what the Clerk's office provides, and what state-level resources are available to supplement your search.
Garfield County Overview
Garfield County Superior Court and Clerk
The Garfield County Superior Court is located at 789 Main Street, Pomeroy, WA 99347. The mailing address is PO Box 329, Pomeroy, WA 99347-0329. The court can be reached by phone at 509-843-3731 and by fax at 509-843-1224. The general email is SuperiorCourt@garfieldcountywa.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with the office closed from noon to 1:00 PM for lunch.
The Honorable Brooke J. Burns serves as judge. This is a shared judicial position. The judge alternates between Garfield County and two neighboring courts in Asotin and Columbia Counties. Court Administrator Adrianne A. Krull handles administrative matters and can be reached at AKrull@co.asotin.wa.us or 509-243-2082. County Clerk Marie M. Gormsen manages all court records and can be reached at mgormsen@co.garfield.wa.us. Deputy Clerk Briana Moran also assists with the office.
| Office | Garfield County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
789 Main Street, PO Box 915 Pomeroy, WA 99347 |
| Phone | (509) 843-3731 |
| Fax | (509) 843-1224 |
| SuperiorCourt@garfieldcountywa.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed noon to 1 PM) |
| Website | co.garfield.wa.us/superiorcourt |
The Washington State Courts directory for Garfield County confirms the current judicial roster. Commissioners Julie E. Karl, Robert Richard King, and David R. Risley serve alongside Judge Burns. The court is a trial court of general jurisdiction with authority over major criminal cases, civil disputes, domestic relations, adoption, probate, and juvenile matters.
The Garfield County Superior Court page lists current judicial officers, contact details, and online records access information.
The Superior Court in Pomeroy handles all divorce and family law filings for Garfield County, with the County Clerk maintaining all case records.
Searching Garfield County Dissolution Records
To search for a dissolution case in Garfield County, contact the Clerk's office directly at 509-843-3731 or by email at SuperiorCourt@garfieldcountywa.gov. The Clerk can search by party name or case number. Bring or provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate year of filing. Case files can be reviewed at the courthouse during office hours.
Garfield County Superior Court uses the Odyssey system for online records access. The Odyssey Code for Garfield County is 12. Through the statewide Washington Courts name and case search, you can find case information for Garfield County along with other Washington counties. Results on the statewide search site are updated every 24 hours and include case status and party names. Keep in mind this is a reference tool only. Certified copies and the full official record come from the Clerk's office.
Because Garfield County is a small county, online resources may be more limited compared to larger county systems. For detailed searches or if you cannot locate a record online, calling or visiting the Clerk's office in Pomeroy is the most reliable approach. Staff can confirm whether a dissolution was filed and provide guidance on requesting copies.
Note: The court does not have a dedicated family court. All family law matters, including dissolution, are heard in the regular Superior Court before Judge Burns or one of the commissioners.
Garfield County Auditor Records
The Garfield County Auditor's Recording Division handles recording of official documents, marriage records, and land records. Marriage licenses and certificates are available through the Auditor's office. The Auditor does not maintain divorce records. Those are held exclusively by the Superior Court Clerk. If you contact the Auditor about a dissolution, they will direct you to the Clerk at 509-843-3731.
The Auditor's office keeps marriage records from approximately 1890 and also holds birth and death records from approximately 1890 to 1908. If you are researching genealogy that involves Garfield County and need historical marriage records alongside old divorce cases, you may need to visit or contact both offices. For land records and deeds, the Auditor's recording department is the right place. For divorce records, the Clerk is the only source.
The Garfield County Auditor page covers recording services, marriage licenses, and land records maintained by the Auditor's office.
The Auditor's office handles marriage records and recorded documents, while the Superior Court Clerk is the sole source for divorce and dissolution records in Garfield County.
Divorce Filing Process in Garfield County
To file for dissolution in Garfield County, follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Under RCW 26.09.030, Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing. Either party can petition and the other cannot prevent the court from granting the dissolution.
To file in Garfield County, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed here. You file the Petition for Dissolution and a Summons with the County Clerk. The other spouse must be served with documents or sign a Joinder. The filing fee is approximately $350. Additional costs may include fees for service of process, certified copies, and a parenting seminar if children are involved.
Washington has a mandatory 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served. There are no exceptions. After 90 days, an agreed decree can be submitted if both parties agree on all terms. If there is a dispute, the case may proceed to mediation or trial. Property is divided under community property rules in RCW 26.09.080. The court divides community property equitably. Assets acquired before marriage or received as gifts or inheritance and kept separate are treated as separate property.
Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. Get the motion and declaration forms at the courthouse or at courts.wa.gov/forms. Legal self-help resources are also available at WashingtonLawHelp.org, which has guides on family law cases and official court forms.
90-Day Waiting Period: Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period from the date the petition is filed and served before a dissolution can be finalized. No exceptions exist under state law.
State and Archive Resources
The Washington State Department of Health holds divorce certificates (certificates of dissolution) from 1968 to present. These are short summary documents, not full case files. The Department of Health can issue a certificate after the county clerk sends the record. Fees start at $25 per copy and are nonrefundable. If you need the full decree with all the terms of the dissolution, you must get that from the Garfield County Superior Court Clerk in Pomeroy.
It can take up to five months from the date the case is finalized for the county clerk to transmit the record to the Department of Health. If your case was recently resolved, contact the Garfield County Clerk first to confirm the record was sent before you order from the state.
Older dissolution records may be available through the Washington State Digital Archives. Many county clerks across Washington have transferred copies of divorce records to the State Archives. You can search by county name and the keyword "divorce" in the collection search. The Digital Archives is useful for genealogy and historical research, particularly for cases going back several decades.
The Washington State Courts directory for Garfield County lists Judge Burns, County Clerk Marie Gormsen, and court commissioners serving the county.
The state court directory confirms current judicial officers and contact information for Garfield County Superior Court, useful when verifying who to contact for records.
Cities in Garfield County
Garfield County is one of Washington's smallest counties. Pomeroy is the county seat and the location of the Superior Court. All dissolution cases filed by residents of Garfield County are processed at the courthouse in Pomeroy.
No cities in Garfield County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Garfield County residents should contact the Superior Court Clerk at 509-843-3731 for divorce record requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Garfield County. If you are not sure where your dissolution was filed, check the county where you lived when you filed. Dissolution cases are filed where at least one spouse resides.