Search Pacific County Divorce Records
Pacific County divorce records are filed and stored at the Superior Court Clerk's office in South Bend. If you need to access dissolution case information, you can search by name or case number through the county's Odyssey Portal or the statewide Washington Courts tools. The clerk handles document requests and certified copy orders. Pacific County has a court facilitator to help people who do not have an attorney, electronic filing through eFileWA, and clear copy fee rates. This page covers all of that and more for residents looking for dissolution records in Pacific County, Washington.
Pacific County Overview
Pacific County Superior Court and Clerk
Pacific County has one elected Superior Court Judge, Donald J. Richter, who also serves as the Superior Court Judge in neighboring Wahkiakum County. Judge Richter was appointed in January 2019 and has jurisdiction over serious criminal matters, civil cases including real property and contracts, and domestic relations including dissolution. The court also hears appeals from lower courts and state administrative agencies.
The Superior Court Administration office is at 300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586. Rikki Thompson serves as Court Administrator and can be reached at rthompson@co.pacific.wa.us. Traci Amundson serves as Assistant Court Administrator and Court Facilitator at tamundson@co.pacific.wa.us. The court does not have Judicial Assistants. All contact with the judge goes through the Court Administrator.
For dissolution records, contact the Pacific County Clerk. The clerk's office processes document requests, handles case file inquiries, and provides copies of court records including dissolution decrees, petitions, and parenting plans. You can email the clerk at clerk@co.pacific.wa.us or mail requests to Pacific County Clerk, P.O. Box 67, South Bend, WA 98586.
| Office | Pacific County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
300 Memorial Drive P.O. Box 67 South Bend, WA 98586 |
| clerk@co.pacific.wa.us | |
| Website | pacificcountyclerk.com |
Requesting Pacific County Divorce Documents
The Pacific County Clerk has a specific process for document requests. Once you submit a request, the office responds with the total cost. Payment must be made no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day of the request, or the submission is dismissed and you must start over. Requests made after 3:00 p.m. are processed the following business day. After you pay, email clerk@co.pacific.wa.us with proof of payment to receive your documents.
The Pacific County Clerk document records page walks you through how to submit a request and receive copies of dissolution documents.
Certified copies of any court document cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Certified copies cannot be emailed. Standard paper copies are $0.50 per page. Emailed copies (not certified) are $0.25 per page. The clerk cannot mail documents to addresses outside of the United States. If you need documents sent abroad, you must mail payment and a pre-addressed envelope with the correct international postage.
One thing worth noting about Pacific County: a copy of the one-page Certificate of Dissolution cannot be ordered through the clerk's office. That certificate is not signed by a judge and not filed with the court. It is mailed directly to the Washington State Department of Health after a divorce is finalized. To get that certificate, contact the Department of Health, not the Pacific County Clerk. For the actual Decree of Dissolution with all the terms, the clerk is the right place.
Note: If you need an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication for a Pacific County court document, visit the Washington Secretary of State Apostille page for that process.
Pacific County Odyssey Portal and Online Case Search
Pacific County uses the Odyssey Portal for online case access. By registering, you get access to publicly accessible records in Pacific County Superior Court, including criminal, civil, domestic, probate and guardianship, and juvenile offender cases. Attorneys of record can also get elevated access to confidential court records in cases where they have filed a Notice of Appearance.
The Pacific County Odyssey Portal provides online access to public court records, including dissolution and family law cases filed in the county.
To register for the Odyssey Portal, the head of a firm or agency must complete and sign a Master Registration Form. Each user must be listed on that form and must review and sign a Subscription Agreement. Both forms and the annual fee must be submitted together by mail, delivery, or email to the Pacific County Clerk's office. Allow 5 to 10 business days for approval. Once approved, you get an email with a link to create a password. Your username is the email address on the Registration Form. There is a 3-day time limit to complete account setup.
For quick name or case number searches without registration, the statewide Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is available to anyone. Results update daily and cover all Washington Superior Courts including Pacific County. The Washington State Courts Case Locator is another option that searches across all court levels statewide.
The Washington State Courts directory provides contact information for Pacific County Superior Court judges and clerk staff.
Pacific County Court Facilitator
Pacific County has a Court Facilitator Program that provides basic services to people representing themselves in family law, adult guardianship, and minor guardianship cases. This is a useful resource for people who are filing for dissolution without an attorney. The facilitator can explain basic court procedures and logistics, help you select and complete court-approved forms, explain legal terms, and make referrals to legal and social services in the area.
The Pacific County Court Facilitator helps people who are self-represented in dissolution and family law matters navigate forms, procedures, and hearing requirements.
The facilitator can help calculate child support based on the financial information you provide and assist with preparing court orders under the direction of the court. The facilitator cannot give legal advice or represent you. For an appointment, contact Traci Amundson directly at (360) 875-9328 ext. 3 or tamundson@co.pacific.wa.us. The facilitator office is at 300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586.
E-Filing in Pacific County
Pacific County accepts electronic filings through eFileWA. There are no fees for using the eFile and Serve platform itself. The only charges are statutory filing fees and an e-commerce transaction fee for electronic payments. New Petitions for Civil Protection Orders cannot be filed through eFileWA, but subsequent filings in existing protection order cases are accepted. Self-represented parties filing dissolutions are encouraged to review the Family Law Handbook before filing. Documents for ex parte filings are accepted electronically.
Registration is handled through the eFile WA platform. Tyler Technologies provides training videos, webinars, and written guides on how to use the system. You can access these free through the eFile and Serve Cloud Knowledge Base. If you have technical issues with e-filing or registration, contact EFS Support at efiling.support@tylertech.com or 800-297-5377, available 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST.
State-Level Records and Historical Archives
The Washington State Department of Health holds divorce certificates from 1968 to present. These certificates confirm that a divorce occurred but do not include the detailed terms of the decree. Fees start at $25. There can be a lag of up to five months between when a case closes and when the Pacific County Clerk sends the record to the state. For recent dissolutions, contact the Pacific County Clerk directly.
The Washington State Archives Digital Archives holds older dissolution records from county clerks across Washington. Search the archives by county name and the keyword "divorce" to see what Pacific County records may be available there. For current and recent cases, use the Odyssey Portal or the clerk's office. The archives are better suited for historical research on older cases.
Northwest Justice Project handles family law cases for low-income residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. The Washington State Bar Association lawyer referral line is (206) 443-9722. Free self-help guides and all Washington court forms are at washingtonlawhelp.org and courts.wa.gov/forms.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Pacific County. You must file for dissolution in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are unsure which court covers your address, check with the clerk before you file.