Find Divorce Records in San Juan County
San Juan County divorce records are held by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Friday Harbor. If you need to search for a dissolution case or get copies of court documents, the clerk's office on Orcas Island handles requests by mail, email, or in person. San Juan County is a small island county with roughly 18,000 residents. All dissolution cases go through the Superior Court, which has general jurisdiction over family law matters. The court serves the San Juan Islands archipelago, including San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island.
San Juan County Overview
San Juan County Clerk and Superior Court
The County Clerk in San Juan County serves as the Clerk of the Superior Court. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a lunch break from noon to 1:00 p.m. The clerk handles court cases, manages case files, accepts new filings, and processes records requests. Credit card payments are accepted for fees, fines, and costs, but a case number is required for credit card transactions.
San Juan County Superior Court operates under Judge Kathryn C. Loring as Presiding Judge. The court has general jurisdiction over all state court matters, including family law cases and dissolution of marriage. It also handles prosecution of felony crimes, real estate disputes, probate matters, juvenile law, and civil disputes over $100,000. The court aims to provide accessible justice to all people regardless of background or financial ability.
| Office | San Juan County Clerk / Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
350 Court Street Friday Harbor, WA 98250 |
| Phone | (360) 378-2163 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM) |
| Website | sanjuancountywa.gov/County-Clerk |
Documents over 10 pages may not be filed by fax without the clerk's prior approval. Electronically submitted filings received after 4:30 p.m. will be processed the next court day. For Judge's Working Copies, contact the Superior Court Administrator at (360) 378-2399.
The San Juan County Clerk's office in Friday Harbor processes all dissolution filings and maintains the official court record for the county.
San Juan County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, custody, and support cases filed in the county.
How to Request San Juan County Divorce Records
Court files in San Juan County can be viewed during office hours from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To request copies, fill out the San Juan County Superior Court Clerk's Office Document Request form. You can print it and bring it to the clerk's office at 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor, or email it directly to the County Clerk. Once the office receives your request, staff will make copies and contact you with the fee amount. Processing time is up to 5 business days for copies and 7 business days for recording requests.
Copy fees in San Juan County are clearly set. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Authenticated or exemplified copies cost $6 for the authentication plus the standard certified copy fees. Electronic copies sent by email cost $4.00 plus $0.25 per page, and payment must be received before copies are sent. Hearing request audio files cost $25 per individual hearing.
Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the San Juan County Clerk. Credit card payments can be made through Point and Pay. Out-of-town requesters may mail a check or money order along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
San Juan County's online guide for requesting court records walks through the process for obtaining copies of dissolution documents and other court filings.
If you don't have a case number, use the case name and call the office at (360) 378-2163 with the confirmation code when prompted. Restricted or sealed files require a photo ID or court order to view. Restricted case types include adoptions, paternity cases, and dependency matters.
Statewide Search Options
You can search San Juan County dissolution cases through several statewide tools. The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search lets you look up cases by party name or case number across all Washington counties. The database updates every 24 hours at 3:00 a.m. Case information there is reference material only, not the official court record.
The Odyssey Portal provides public access to case records for Washington Superior Courts. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. It shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. For complete document copies, contact the San Juan County Clerk. The Washington State Courts Case Locator covers superior, district, municipal, and appellate courts in a single search and updates approximately every 24 hours.
The Washington State Courts directory for San Juan County lists judicial officers, clerks, and court staff with contact details for the Superior Court serving the islands.
Note: Search results from statewide tools provide basic case data but not document images. You will need to contact the San Juan County Clerk directly to get copies of actual filed documents.
Certificates of Dissolution from the State
The Washington State Department of Health holds marriage and divorce records from 1968 forward. You can order a certified divorce certificate, also called a certificate of dissolution, from DOH. Fees start at $25 per copy, with additional charges for some ordering or shipping methods. DOH does not have divorce decrees. The decree is a multi-page document that shows the terms of the dissolution and is only available from the county clerk where the case was filed.
Keep in mind that the county clerk sends records to DOH after the case closes. It can take up to five months for that transfer to happen. If your divorce was finalized recently, check with the San Juan County Clerk first to confirm whether the record has been submitted to the state.
The Washington State Digital Archives may hold older San Juan County dissolution records. Many county clerks have transferred copies of historical court records to the archives. Search by county name and "divorce" to see what is available.
Filing for Dissolution in San Juan County
Dissolution cases in San Juan County follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state, so the only ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Either spouse must be a Washington State resident when filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives. For island residents, that means filing with the San Juan County Clerk at 350 Court Street in Friday Harbor.
The court calendar in San Juan County runs on a regular schedule. Criminal law and motion is Monday at 9:30 a.m. Civil law and motion is Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Protection orders are heard Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Family law matters are handled during the civil law and motion calendar or scheduled separately by the court. Contact the clerk at (360) 378-2163 to confirm scheduling for your specific case type.
Washington's mandatory 90-day waiting period applies here as everywhere else in the state. The waiting period starts from the date the petition is filed and served. An agreed decree can be entered at the end of that period if both spouses are in agreement. Contested cases may take longer depending on the court schedule and the complexity of the issues.
San Juan County Superior Court also handles the District Court's civil cases involving civil protection orders, name changes, and other limited-jurisdiction matters. The Prosecuting Attorney's office has a Family Support Section that handles child support cases.
Note: Domestic form packets for dissolution are available from the clerk's office. Contact the court at (360) 378-2163 to ask about available self-help forms before your first visit.
Legal Resources for San Juan County
San Juan County is a small, remote county. Local legal resources are limited compared to larger counties. The clerk's office provides e-filing instructions and information on legal financial obligations and vacating certain drug convictions. Self-help resources are listed on the clerk's page. For family law matters, a Courthouse Facilitator is available through Juvenile Court Services, which operates in partnership with the Skagit County Detention Center.
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides on dissolution, parenting plans, child support, and more. 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 area at wsba.org.
Fee waivers are available for those who can't afford filing costs. File a motion and declaration showing financial hardship. People who receive public assistance or whose household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. The clerk's office can point you to the correct forms.
Communities in San Juan County
San Juan County covers the San Juan Islands archipelago. Communities include Friday Harbor, Eastsound, Lopez Village, and others across San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island. All dissolution cases for the county are filed at the courthouse in Friday Harbor. No cities in San Juan County meet the population threshold for a separate city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
San Juan County is an island county with no direct land borders. The nearest mainland counties serve neighboring communities and archipelago jurisdictions.