Pierce County Divorce Records

Pierce County divorce records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court in Tacoma. If you need to search for a dissolution case, access a filed decree, or get certified copies of court documents, this page covers where to go and what to expect. Pierce County is the second most populous county in Washington, with around 950,000 residents spread across Tacoma and surrounding communities. The Superior Court here handles all family law filings, including dissolution of marriage. Records go back to the 1890s. Both online and in-person search options are available.

Pierce County Superior Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Superior Court in Pierce County keeps all dissolution records filed in the county. The office processes new filings, stores case files, handles copy requests, and maintains the official public record going back to the 1890s. Staff can search by name or case number. The main office is inside the County-City Building in downtown Tacoma.

Pierce County Superior Court has 23 judicial departments, each with its own staff and contact information. Family law cases, including dissolution filings, go through the civil divisions. The court handles a large volume of family law cases each year. Because of ongoing construction at the courthouse, wait times for in-person services may run longer than usual. The clerk's office encourages people to use online tools when possible.

The Washington State Courts Court Directory lists contact information for judges, clerks, and commissioners serving Pierce County. You can find the full listing at courts.wa.gov.

The Pierce County Superior Court page lists all 23 judicial departments with hearing protocols and contact emails. Most departments hold hearings in person. If you need to reach a specific court reporter about a transcript, call (253) 798-7717 or visit the clerk's website for contact information.

The Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma handles all dissolution filings for the county. Hearings for family law cases are generally held in person at the courthouse.

The Clerk of Superior Court processes all dissolution filings, maintains case files, and handles copy requests for Pierce County divorce records.

Search Pierce County Divorce Records

Pierce County uses the LINX (Legal Information Network eXchange) system for online case searches. The LINX portal lets you search Superior Court cases by name, cause number, or year. You can view civil case litigants, attorneys, docket entries, hearing schedules, and judgments. At the clerk's office, LINX can also be used to view and print public documents filed in 2002 or later. The LINX Help Desk is available at (253) 798-7757 if you have trouble navigating the site.

You can also use the statewide Washington Courts tools to find Pierce County dissolution cases. The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search lets you search by party name or case number across counties. The database updates every 24 hours. Note that case information found there is reference material only and is not the official court record.

The Odyssey Portal offers another statewide access point. It displays case summaries, hearing dates, and party information for most Washington Superior Courts. For complete copies of filed documents, you still need to contact the clerk directly. The Washington State Courts Case Locator is a third option that covers municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts in one search.

The Pierce County LINX system lets you search dissolution cases by name or cause number and view docket entries and judgments for cases filed since 2002.

To search in person, go to the clerk's office at 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 110. Bring a photo ID. Staff can pull cases by name or number and make copies on the spot. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Plain copies are less. Call ahead at (253) 798-7455 during the construction period to check wait times.

Note: The LINX system requires a browser that supports tables, cookies, and JavaScript. Calendars are regenerated every two hours and may not reflect last-minute changes.

State-Level Divorce Records for Pierce County

The Washington State Department of Health holds marriage and divorce records from 1968 to the present. You can order a certified divorce certificate from DOH, but keep in mind that they only have the certificate itself, not the full decree. Fees start at $25 per copy. It can take up to five months after a divorce for the county clerk to send the record to DOH, so if the case was finalized recently, you may need to go directly to the Pierce County clerk first.

The Washington State Digital Archives is another resource worth checking. Many county clerks have transferred copies of older divorce records to the state archives. You can search by county name and the keyword "divorce" to find what is available for Pierce County. This can be especially useful for older cases that predate the LINX system.

The Washington State Courts directory for Pierce County lists judges, clerks, commissioners, and court staff, with contact details and departmental assignments.

Divorce certificates from DOH are also known as certificates of dissolution. They confirm a divorce occurred but don't spell out the property division or custody terms. For anything that requires the actual terms of the decree, you need the full decree from the Pierce County clerk.

Filing for Dissolution in Pierce County

Dissolution cases in Pierce County are filed under Washington State law, primarily RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. One spouse files the Petition for Dissolution along with a Summons. The filing fee is approximately $350, though new fees went into effect July 27, 2025. Check with the clerk's office or their website for the current fee schedule before you file.

Either spouse must be a resident of Washington State when filing. There is no minimum residency period required for a specific county. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently live. All filings create records that become part of the permanent case file at the Pierce County Clerk's office.

Washington requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is served before a dissolution can be finalized. There are no exceptions. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can file an agreed decree at the end of the waiting period. Contested matters may go through mediation or trial before a judge enters a final order.

Property is divided under community property rules. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court divides community property in a just and equitable manner. If children are involved, a parenting plan and child support calculation are also required.

What Pierce County Divorce Records Include

Dissolution records in Pierce County are made up of several different documents. The Petition for Dissolution is the initial filing and states that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The Summons is served on the other spouse or signed as a Joinder. Financial declarations from both parties detail income, assets, and debts. A separation agreement or agreed decree lays out what both parties have agreed to. All of these become part of the court file held by the clerk.

The Decree of Dissolution is the key document. It is the court order that ends the marriage and spells out all final terms: property division, the parenting plan, child support, and spousal maintenance if ordered. Certified copies of the decree are often needed for legal name changes, updating financial accounts, or proving marital status. You can get certified copies from the Pierce County clerk at the fees noted above.

Most dissolution records are public. You don't have to be a party to request them. Certain sealed documents like financial exhibits may be restricted. Records involving minors may also have limited access in some cases.

Legal Help in Pierce County

Several resources exist for people who need help with dissolution cases in Pierce County. The clerk's website links to self-help resources and miscellaneous forms. The Pierce County Law Library is available to the public and can help you find court forms and legal guides. The Pierce County Superior Court clerk's page also links to Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers for low-income residents.

Fee waivers are available for those who can't afford filing costs. You file a motion and declaration showing your financial situation. If your income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level, or if you receive public assistance, you may qualify. Forms are on the Washington Courts website. You can also ask the clerk's office for guidance on where to find them.

The parenting seminar is required when children are involved in a dissolution case. Fees for the seminar generally run $35 to $75. The clerk's page lists approved providers. The Crystal Judson Family Justice Center is also linked from the clerk's page and offers services related to domestic violence situations. Domestic Partnership information and Landlord Tenant information are also listed as resources on the clerk's site.

Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has plain-language guides on family law and dissolution. Official court forms are available at courts.wa.gov. The Washington State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722 and lists attorneys by practice area at wsba.org.

Cities in Pierce County

All cities and communities in Pierce County file dissolution cases at the Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. The courthouse at 930 Tacoma Ave. S. serves the entire county.

Nearby Counties

Pierce County borders several other Washington counties. File your dissolution in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you're near a county line, confirm your address falls within Pierce County before filing.