Pend Oreille County Divorce Records
Pend Oreille County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk at the Hall of Justice in Newport. The clerk serves as the official record keeper and financial officer for Superior Court in the county. If you need dissolution records, you can contact the clerk's office by phone, email, or mail, or visit in person. Cases filed since January 1, 1996 are available as computer images. This page covers how to find and request dissolution records, what fees apply, how e-filing works, and what legal resources are available to Pend Oreille County residents.
Pend Oreille County Overview
Pend Oreille County Superior Court Clerk
Tammie Ownbey has served as Pend Oreille County Clerk since January 2007. The County Clerk is an elected constitutional office with duties assigned by statute and court rules. The clerk acts as the ex-officio of Superior Court and is the official record keeper and financial officer. The clerk's mission is to protect the integrity and accuracy of Pend Oreille County Superior Court records while serving the public and legal community in a courteous and professional way.
The Pend Oreille County Superior Court Clerk's office is located at the Hall of Justice, 229 South Garden, Newport, WA 99156. The mailing address is PO Box 5020, Newport, WA 99156. The Hall of Justice is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk's office is closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. You can reach the clerk at (509) 447-2435.
The Pend Oreille County Superior Court Clerk's office at the Hall of Justice in Newport is where dissolution records are filed and stored.
Remote services are available. The clerk offers phone, email, and mail services in addition to walk-in access. Online self-service options are also available. Superior Court remote hearings are conducted via Zoom using Meeting ID 509 447 2435. Phone-in numbers for Zoom hearings include 833-548-0282, 877-853-5257, 888-475-4499, and 833-548-0276.
| Office | Pend Oreille County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Hall of Justice 229 South Garden PO Box 5020 Newport, WA 99156 |
| Phone | (509) 447-2435 |
| Hours | 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (closed noon to 1:00 PM) |
| Website | pendoreille.gov/superior-court-clerk |
Dissolution Records Maintained by the Clerk
Cases filed since January 1, 1996 are available as computer images. You can view them online or at the clerk's office. Cases from before 1996 that are not available online can be viewed on microfiche at the clerk's office. The clerk maintains several types of Superior Court cases. Available case types include criminal, civil and domestic violence, domestic (which includes dissolution), probate and guardianship, juvenile offenders, and judgments. Restricted case types include adoptions and paternity, mental illness and alcohol cases, and juvenile dependency cases, which are restricted by statute.
For dissolution cases specifically, the record typically includes the petition, summons, financial declarations, any agreed settlement, the parenting plan if children are involved, and the final Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the key document most people need. It contains all the terms: property division, child support, parenting schedule, and any spousal maintenance ordered by the court. Most dissolution records are public. You do not need to be a party to request copies.
The Pend Oreille County records request page explains how to order copies of dissolution documents from the clerk's office.
Note that the Public Records Act does not apply to judicial records in Washington. Disclosure of judicial records is governed by a limited common law right of access as determined by the court on a case-by-case basis. Adoption records are sealed under RCW 26.33.330. Mental illness records are confidential under RCW 71.05.390. Juvenile dependency records are confidential under RCW 13.50.100. These restrictions do not generally affect standard dissolution case records, which remain public.
Fees for Pend Oreille County Divorce Records
The Pend Oreille County Clerk charges the following rates for copies of dissolution documents. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Under RCW 36.18, this fee structure applies to the preparation, copying, or certification of any instrument on file. Paper copies without a seal cost $0.50 per page. Electronic copies without a seal are $0.25 per page. There is no fee for simply viewing documents at the courthouse. For a written search of records, the fee is $20.00 per hour or partial hour.
To order copies, call the clerk's office at (509) 447-2435. You can also mail a written request with payment to PO Box 5020, Newport, WA 99156. Documents cannot be partially copied or separated. Payment options include check, money order, or credit card. Credit card payments can be made by phone through Official Payment Corp. at 1-800-272-9829 using Jurisdiction Code 5687, or online at Officialpayments.com using the same code. You can also pay in person at the Hall of Justice at 229 S. Garden Ave., Newport, WA 99156.
Filing a dissolution petition in Pend Oreille County costs approximately $350. This follows the Washington State fee schedule. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. If you receive public assistance or your income is below 200% of the federal poverty line, you may be eligible. File a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees using forms from courts.wa.gov/forms.
Electronic Filing in Pend Oreille County
The Pend Oreille County Clerk's office accepts electronic filings. An electronically filed copy is treated as an original for all court purposes. The electronic filing page has detailed instructions. Documents being electronically filed must have prepayment of $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after. Documents must be PDF format, 8.5 x 11 inches, portrait orientation, and must not contain embedded videos. The original copy must be kept by the filing party for 60 days after the case is complete, per GR 17.
The Pend Oreille County electronic filing page explains the rules, fees, and accepted formats for submitting documents to the clerk electronically.
A free BOX account is required to e-file. After submitting, you get an email confirming receipt. Protection Orders can be e-filed at no charge. Original wills and negotiable instruments cannot be e-filed. Documents that require filing fees can be filed electronically, including original petitions, jury demands, writs, notices of appeal, and petitions to modify child support. Payment must be made before the e-filing is submitted.
Searching Pend Oreille County Dissolution Cases
To search for dissolution records online, start with the statewide Washington State Courts Name and Case Search. This tool lets you look up cases by name or case number across all Washington Superior Courts, including Pend Oreille County. Results update daily at 3:00 a.m. The data shown is reference information, not the official court record. For official records, contact the clerk.
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal provides public access to Superior Court case records statewide. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name to find dissolution cases and view summaries, party info, and hearing dates. The Washington State Courts Case Locator searches across all court levels and is another way to confirm whether a case exists before contacting the clerk.
The Washington State Courts directory lists judges and clerk staff serving Pend Oreille County Superior Court.
Older Pend Oreille County records that predate computerized systems may be available through the Washington State Archives Digital Archives. Many county clerks have shared older dissolution records with the state archives. Search by county name and the keyword "divorce" to see what may be available there. For cases from 1996 forward, the clerk's office computer system is the better source.
Filing for Dissolution in Pend Oreille County
Dissolution cases in Pend Oreille County are governed by Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No one has to prove fault or wrongdoing. Either spouse can file, and the other cannot prevent the dissolution from happening. There is no minimum residency time required in the county before you can file, but at least one spouse must be a Washington State resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state under RCW 26.09.030.
Filing begins when one spouse submits a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons to the clerk. The other spouse is served or signs a Joinder. A mandatory 90-day waiting period follows before any dissolution can be finalized. This period starts when the petition is filed and the respondent is served. No court can shorten or waive this waiting period. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can submit an agreed decree at the end of the waiting period. Contested cases may go through mediation or a trial.
Property division follows Washington's community property rules under RCW 26.09.080. Community property includes assets acquired during the marriage and is divided in a just and equitable manner. Separate property, which includes assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance during the marriage and kept separate, is not generally subject to division. Each dissolution case creates a court file that the Pend Oreille County Clerk maintains permanently.
Note: Washington's 90-day waiting period applies to all dissolution cases filed in Pend Oreille County. No exceptions exist regardless of whether both spouses agree.
Legal Help for Pend Oreille County Residents
People in Pend Oreille County can access several legal resources for dissolution cases. Northwest Justice Project serves low-income residents across Washington with free family law help including dissolution, custody, and support. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to check eligibility and available services. The Washington State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral line at (206) 443-9722. Search their directory at wsba.org.
The Washington State Department of Health holds divorce certificates from 1968 to present. These are not decrees. Fees start at $25. Allow up to five months after the case closes for the clerk to transmit the record to the state. For recent cases, contact the Pend Oreille County Clerk directly. Free self-help guides and all Washington court forms are at washingtonlawhelp.org and courts.wa.gov/forms.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Pend Oreille County. Dissolution cases are filed in the county where you or your spouse lives. Contact the correct clerk's office if you are not sure which county your address falls under.