Kitsap County Divorce Records
Kitsap County divorce records are kept by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Port Orchard, serving a population of roughly 285,000 residents on the Kitsap Peninsula. If you need to find a dissolution case, look up an old decree, or get a certified copy, the Clerk's Office is your main stop. You can search case records online through state court systems or go in person to the courthouse on Division Street. The clerk stores and maintains all dissolution filings from the time a petition is first submitted through the final decree and any post-judgment orders that follow.
Kitsap County Overview
Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk
David T. Lewis III serves as the Kitsap County Clerk. The office is at 614 Division Street, Room 202, Port Orchard, WA 98366. You can reach the clerk by phone at (360) 337-7164. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and again from 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Note that the office closes for lunch from 12:15 to 1:15 daily. If you plan to visit, keep those hours in mind.
The Clerk receives, processes, and preserves all documents in perpetuity for all Superior Court cases. That includes every dissolution case filed in Kitsap County. Whether the case was filed last year or decades ago, the clerk's office holds those records. Staff can help you find a case by name or case number and make copies of the documents you need. For court records, contact the clerk directly rather than the county's Department of Administrative Services, since court records fall under court rules and not the Public Records Act.
The Kitsap County Superior Court handles all family law matters, including dissolution filings, parenting plan disputes, and post-decree modifications. You can also see staffing and contact information through the Washington State Courts directory for Kitsap County.
The Kitsap County Clerk's office page lists hours, contact info, and services for those who need to access dissolution case files.
| Office | Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
614 Division Street, Room 202 Port Orchard, WA 98366 |
| Mailing Address | 614 Division Street, MS 34, Port Orchard, WA 98366 |
| Phone | (360) 337-7164 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:15 PM and 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kitsapgov.com/clerk |
Search Kitsap County Dissolution Cases
There are a few ways to look up divorce records in Kitsap County. Online is the fastest for basic case info. In person is better if you need full documents or a certified copy of the decree. Both work, and they cover cases going back many years.
The statewide Washington Courts Name and Case Search lets you look up cases by party name or case number across all Washington Superior Courts. Data updates every 24 hours, so very recent filings may not show right away. The search results are reference material only. They show the case number, party names, and basic status. They do not give you the actual documents. For copies, you go to the clerk.
The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal provides public access to case records including dissolution matters. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. Most Washington counties use the Odyssey system, and Kitsap is part of that network. For full document copies, you still need to contact the clerk directly.
You can also use the Washington State Courts Case Locator to search across municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts. Search results show case numbers, parties, and filing dates but not document images. The database updates approximately every 24 hours from clerk-entered information.
The Kitsap County Superior Court family law page covers resources for dissolution and parenting plan cases in the county.
To find a dissolution record, you typically need the full name of one or both parties and a rough idea of when the case was filed. A case number speeds things up but is not always required. When you visit in person, bring a photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number and can make plain or certified copies for you.
Divorce Certificates from the State
The Washington State Department of Health holds marriage and divorce records from 1968 to the present. It can issue a divorce certificate, which is also called a certificate of dissolution. This is a short document that confirms the divorce took place. The DOH fee starts at $25 per copy, whether certified or informational.
Keep in mind that the DOH does not have divorce decrees. The decree is the full court order that sets out property division, parenting plans, and other terms. For decrees, you go to the Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk, not the state. Also, it can take up to five months after a divorce is finalized for the county clerk to send the record to the DOH. If you divorced recently, check with the clerk first before requesting from the state.
The Kitsap County Superior Court website provides general court information and links to services for family law matters.
Historical Records at the Digital Archives
For older divorce records, the Washington State Digital Archives may have what you need. Many county clerks have given copies of the records they hold to the Archives. You can search by collection, selecting Divorce Records, then enter your search terms. To check if Kitsap County records are in the system, go to the search page and run a search using the county name and the word divorce.
The Digital Archives is the first in the nation to preserve electronic records of both state and local government. Divorce records are just one of many collections available. The site requires JavaScript. If you don't find what you need online, contact the clerk's office directly at (360) 337-7164.
Note: Court records in Washington are governed by court rules, not the Public Records Act, so requests go directly to the Clerk's Office rather than through county public records portals.
Kitsap County Local Requirements
Kitsap County has a few local rules you need to know if you are filing for dissolution here. Under Kitsap County Local Family Law Rules (KCLFLR 10), both parents in any dissolution or legal separation case that involves minor children must complete a mandatory parenting seminar. The court will not approve a final parenting plan until both parties have finished an approved seminar. Online seminars are not accepted in Kitsap County. Seminars must be attended in person.
Approved providers include the Dispute Resolution Center Kitsap at 9004 Washington Ave. NW, Silverdale, WA 98383, phone 360-307-6155, and Olympic College at 1600 Chester Ave., Bremerton, WA 98337, phone 360-475-7625 or 360-475-7359. Parents do not have to attend together. Each parent's certificate of attendance must be filed before or with the final parenting plan.
The Kitsap County Courthouse Facilitator program helps people who are not represented by an attorney with family law and guardianship cases. Facilitators give procedural help but cannot give legal advice and will not fill out your forms for you. You need to complete your paperwork before scheduling an appointment. The fee is $40.00, or $25.00 if you receive TANF, Food Stamps, or SSI. Zoom and phone appointments are available with advance payment. Advance payment is required, and refunds are not given for missed appointments.
Note: Bring completed paperwork to any facilitator appointment; the facilitator will guide you through questions but will not complete forms on your behalf.
Court Directory and Legal Help
The Washington State Courts directory for Kitsap County lists contact information for judges, commissioners, clerks, and administrative staff. You can find direct contact details and departmental assignments for anyone serving the court.
The statewide court directory is maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts and updated on a regular basis.
For free or low-cost legal help, the Northwest Justice Project handles family law cases for low-income residents. Call 1-888-201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. The Washington Law Help website at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides and forms. Official court forms are also available at courts.wa.gov/forms. All dissolution cases in Kitsap County are filed under Washington State law per RCW Chapter 26.09.
Cities in Kitsap County
All dissolution cases in Kitsap County are filed at the Superior Court in Port Orchard, regardless of which city or community the parties live in.
Other communities in Kitsap County include Port Orchard, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Silverdale, Kingston, and Gig Harbor. All dissolution filings go through the Kitsap County Superior Court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are near Kitsap County. If you are unsure which county handles your dissolution, check where you reside. You must file in the county where you or your spouse lives.