Find Divorce Records in Mason County
Mason County divorce records are held by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Shelton. If you need to find dissolution case information, you can search by name or case number through the Washington State Courts online tools. For certified copies of decrees or full case files, you contact the Mason County Clerk directly. This page covers how the clerk's office works, how to search online, what documents are available, fees, court procedures, and where to get help with a dissolution case in Mason County, Washington.
Mason County Overview
Mason County Superior Court Clerk
Mason County Clerk Charles Rhodes has held the elected position since January 1, 2023. The County Clerk is a constitutional office with specific duties set by statute and court rules. The clerk serves as the administrative and financial officer of the Superior Court and preserves the integrity of court records. By being independent of the judicial branch, the clerk protects the judiciary from any appearance of unfairness in the handling of cases or court orders.
The Mason County Superior Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction. It hears felony criminal matters, civil cases, domestic relations, guardianship and probate, juvenile cases, child dependency cases, and appeals from lower courts. The court's mission is to serve the public by resolving disputes under the law and protecting the rights guaranteed by state and federal constitutions. Court Administration is at 419 N 4th Street, P.O. Box X, Shelton, WA 98584, and can be reached at (360) 427-9670 extension 348.
Mason County Superior Court handles all dissolution and family law filings for residents of Mason County.
One important thing to know about the Mason County Clerk's office: Mason County documents are not viewable online or on the county website. The index of Mason County public cases is available on the Washington Courts website at courts.wa.gov. The clerk's office responds to requests by telephone and U.S. mail only. No email or fax requests are accepted. Copies of documents require written requests, and payment must be made in advance. No personal checks are accepted.
| Office | Mason County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
419 N 4th Street P.O. Box X Shelton, WA 98584 |
| Phone | (360) 427-9670 ext. 348 |
| Website | masoncountywa.gov/departments/superior_court |
Mason County Clerk Services for Dissolution Cases
The Mason County Superior Court Clerk provides several services relevant to dissolution cases. Court staff can tell you the status of a case unless it is confidential. They can pull up the court file on a specific case for you to review. They also give out printed general information on court rules and procedures, court-approved forms, court schedules, and copies of documents on written request.
The clerk's office in Shelton is where you submit written requests for copies of Mason County dissolution records.
There are things court staff cannot do. They cannot give legal advice, tell you what to write on a form, speculate about what a judge might decide, change a signed court order, or let you speak with a judge outside of court. The clerk does not accept fax filings either. If you need legal advice, the office suggests contacting an attorney or calling the Lawyer Referral Program of the Thurston County Bar at 360-923-4844.
The Superior Court Facilitator can help people who are representing themselves in family law and custody cases. The facilitator assists with selecting and filling out approved forms, explaining court procedures, calculating child support based on provided financial information, and making referrals to legal and social services. This is a free service for people who cannot afford an attorney and need help navigating the system.
The Mason County Superior Court family court division oversees dissolution, custody, and other domestic matters filed in the county.
Searching Mason County Divorce Records Online
Because Mason County documents are not posted online, the main way to search dissolution cases remotely is through the statewide court tools. The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search lets you look up cases by name or case number. It covers all Washington Superior Courts and updates daily at 3:00 a.m. The results show case status and basic filing information, but not document images. That information is available as a reference only, not as the official court record.
Mason County also participates in the Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal. This portal provides public access to Superior Court case records, including dissolution and family law matters. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows case summaries, party names, and hearing dates. For full copies of any filed documents, you still need to contact the Mason County Clerk's office directly with a written request.
The Washington State Courts Case Locator is a third option that searches across Superior, District, Municipal, and Appellate courts statewide. Dissolution cases filed in Superior Court will appear with case numbers and filing dates. This is a useful way to confirm a case exists before submitting a records request to the clerk.
The Washington State Courts directory provides contact details for judges and clerk staff serving Mason County Superior Court.
Court Procedures in Mason County
Ex parte dockets in Mason County are held Monday through Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and Friday at 3:00 p.m. All paperwork must reach the clerk's office by 2:00 p.m. on the same day. Civil, domestic, probate, and guardianship proceedings may be attended in person or virtually at the party's discretion, unless the court requires in-person appearance. All civil and probate jury trials must be held in person.
Washington requires a 90-day waiting period before any dissolution can be finalized under RCW 26.09.030. The waiting period starts when the petition is filed and the other party is served. No exceptions exist. Protection order hearings are held in person, though virtual appearances may be allowed in some situations under RCW 7.105.205 upon request and court approval.
Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither spouse needs to prove fault. Either spouse can file, and the other cannot block the dissolution. Property is divided as community property under RCW 26.09.080, with the court distributing assets in a just and equitable manner.
Note: For questions about scheduling or virtual appearance options in Mason County, call Court Administration at (360) 427-9670 extension 348 at least one business day before the hearing.
State-Level Records and Archives
The Washington State Department of Health holds divorce records statewide from 1968 to the present. These are certificates of dissolution, not full decrees. A certificate confirms a divorce took place. Fees start at $25 per copy. The Department of Health does not have the full divorce decree. If you need the actual decree with all the terms, you get it from the Mason County Clerk.
There is often a delay between when a case closes and when the state gets the record. It can take up to five months for the Mason County Clerk to send a divorce record to the Department of Health. For recent dissolutions, go to the clerk first. The Washington State Archives Digital Archives holds older dissolution records from many counties. Search by county name and the keyword "divorce" to see what Mason County materials are available in the archive.
Legal Help for Mason County Dissolution Cases
If you need help with a dissolution case in Mason County, several free and low-cost resources are available. Northwest Justice Project provides family law assistance to low-income residents across Washington. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility. Their offices handle dissolution, custody, and support matters.
The Washington State Bar Association lawyer referral service can connect you with an attorney. Call (206) 443-9722 or search online at wsba.org. WashingtonLawHelp.org has free self-help guides for family law cases and links to all official court forms. Court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. Using the right forms is important because Mason County Superior Court follows Washington State court rules on form requirements.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Mason County. Dissolution cases must be filed in the county where you or your spouse lives. Contact the correct clerk's office if you are not sure which county applies to you.