Island County Divorce Records

Island County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk at the Island County Courthouse in Coupeville. The county covers Whidbey Island and Camano Island and has roughly 88,000 residents. You can search dissolution case records online through the statewide Odyssey Portal or the Washington State Digital Archives, and you can request certified or plain copies by mail or in person at the Clerk's office at 1 NE 7th Street, Coupeville. This page explains how to find, access, and request Island County divorce records and what you need to know about the filing process.

Island County Superior Court Clerk

The Island County Clerk is an elected position created by the Washington State Constitution. The clerk functions as the record-keeping and financial officer of the Superior Court. One of the key roles of the clerk is to ensure the separation of powers among the three branches of government by preserving the integrity of the judiciary. As an independent elected official, the clerk protects public access to a fair, accurate, and independently established record of court opinions, decisions, and judgments.

The clerk's office is located at 1 NE 7th St., Coupeville, WA 98239. You can reach the office at 360-679-7359 ext. 6 to check on record availability. The office handles all Superior Court case filings, maintains the case record system, and processes requests for copies and certified documents. Court filings can be made by mail to the same address. If you want conformed copies returned, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your filing.

The Island County Superior Court Clerk website has detailed information about the clerk's role and procedures.

The Island County Superior Court Clerk page outlines the clerk's constitutional role, filing procedures, copy fees, and how to access dissolution and family law case records.

How to Access Island County Divorce Records

Most cases filed since 2007 are available for in-person viewing in the lobby of the Law and Justice Facility at the Island County Courthouse. Records older than five years, or those that are not currently active, may be stored at an offsite county storage facility. The clerk recommends calling 360-679-7359 ext. 6 before you visit to confirm the file is available on-site.

If you cannot come in person, you can request records by mail or through the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov. Both certified and non-certified copies are available through this system. To find a case using the Digital Archives, you first need a case number. If you don't have one, go to the Odyssey Portal, click Smart Search, enter the party name last name first, complete the Captcha, and note the case number from the results. Then return to the Digital Archives, choose Detailed Search, select "Superior Court Cases," and enter the case number with dashes. If the record has been scanned, a magnifying glass icon will appear and you can order copies online. Copies filed since 2007 are generally available through Odyssey within 48 hours of filing.

The Access to Court Records page at islandcountywa.gov/459/Access-to-Court-Records walks through the full step-by-step process for both in-person and online access.

The clerk's records access page explains copy options, fees, and the online ordering process for Island County divorce case documents.

The Island County Access to Court Records page details how to locate divorce case files, request copies in person or by mail, and use the Digital Archives for online ordering.

Getting Copies of Island County Divorce Papers

Island County has specific procedures for requesting copies of divorce paperwork. If you are active duty military, you will receive one certified copy of your final decree automatically. If you need it mailed, request it and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you are not active duty military, you can order certified copies of your divorce papers through the Digital Archives starting the Monday following your hearing.

To request by mail, send a written request to Island County Clerk, 1 NE 7th Street, Coupeville, WA 98239. Include the case number, the title of the document you are requesting, a cashier's check or money order for the cost, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you don't know how many pages are in your document, call 360-679-7359 and the office can look it up for you. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page per document. Non-certified copies are 50 cents per page.

The copies and certification information page at islandcountywa.gov/460/Copies-and-Certification has the full fee schedule and copy request procedures.

The Copies and Certification page on the Island County website outlines fees and submission requirements for obtaining records from the clerk's office.

The Island County Copies and Certification page specifies current copy fees, instructions for mail requests, and procedures for both military and civilian requestors seeking divorce decree copies.

Electronic Filing in Island County

Island County Superior Court accepts most new filings, pleadings, and documents by email. Filings must be in PDF format. Do not use Adobe's Certify or Sign functions, as the court cannot stamp or save certified or signed files. An emailed copy counts as the original for all court purposes. Do not mail original documents after you have emailed them for filing. Email and attachments are limited to 20 megabytes. If your submission is larger, split it into multiple filings with separate fees and cover sheets.

To file electronically, download and complete the Email Filing Cover Sheet from the clerk's website. Select the current date, indicate whether it is a new case or existing case with the cause number, and fill in the case caption. Payment is made by credit or debit card through nCourt at islandsuperiorcourtpay.com. Email your documents to islandcountye-file@islandcountywa.gov. Filings received after 4 p.m. will be stamped and filed the next business day.

Note: New domestic violence filings and new anti-harassment filings cannot be submitted through e-filing. New will-only or probate filings also require the original to be filed in person. All other dissolution filings, including petitions, responses, and agreed decrees, can generally be filed by email.

If you are submitting proposed orders for a judge's signature and will not be present, a $30 presentation fee is required. Pay it online through NCOURT, indicating the case number.

The Washington State Courts court directory for Island County has contact information for all judicial officers and court staff.

The Washington State Courts directory for Island County lists judges, the county clerk, court commissioners, and administrative personnel handling Superior Court dissolution and family law cases.

Forms and Legal Help in Island County

Island County Superior Court requires the use of current mandatory forms in any family law action. You can download forms from courts.wa.gov/forms. Family law form packets can also be purchased at the Clerk's Office in Coupeville. The Northwest Justice Project at washingtonlawhelp.org has forms, instructions, and online legal information for people handling dissolution cases on their own.

The clerk's office sells form packets at set prices. A Dissolution with Children packet costs $30. A Dissolution without Children packet costs $15. A Legal Separation with Children packet costs $30 and without Children costs $15. A Modification of Child Support packet is $15. A Dissolution without Children - Final Orders packet costs $7.50. Converting a Legal Separation to Divorce is $2. Protection order forms for domestic violence, anti-harassment, sexual assault, and vulnerable adults are available at no charge. Anti-harassment protection forms are also available at Island County District Court in Oak Harbor at (360) 675-5988.

The Washington State Department of Health also handles divorce certificates. If you need a state-issued certificate of dissolution (as opposed to the full decree), visit the DOH vital records page. Fees start at $25. Note that the DOH does not have full decree documents, only the certificate.

Cities in Island County

Island County includes communities on Whidbey Island and Camano Island. All dissolution cases are filed at the Island County Superior Court in Coupeville.

Major communities include Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Langley, Freeland, Clinton, Greenbank, and communities on Camano Island such as Camano and Stanwood (shared with Snohomish County). None of these cities currently qualify for a dedicated city page based on population thresholds. All dissolution filings go through the Island County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

If you are uncertain which county applies to your dissolution case, file in the county where you or your spouse reside.