Thurston County Divorce Records
Thurston County divorce records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Olympia and include dissolution petitions, decrees, parenting plans, and family law judgments. Whether you need to search for an existing dissolution case, request a certified copy of a decree, or understand how to file for divorce in Thurston County, this page walks you through the offices, fees, online tools, and legal resources available to you in this county.
Thurston County Overview
Thurston County Superior Court Clerk
The Thurston County Clerk's office handles all Superior Court records, including dissolution, family law, civil, and criminal cases. The office is located at the Thurston County Courthouse in Olympia. You can request copies in person, by email, or online through the Clerk's Documents app. Staff can help you find case files, get copies, or answer basic questions about court procedures.
Most public Thurston County court documents are available online. The Clerk's Documents app lets you search by cause number, preview documents, add them to a cart, and pay online. After payment, you get an email with a download link. If a document is not available online, send an email request to tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us. Include the case number, case name, and the specific documents you want. The Clerk will reply with the page count, cost, and a payment link.
| Office | Thurston County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Thurston County Courthouse 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Olympia, WA 98502 |
| tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
| Website | thurstoncountywa.gov - Obtaining Court Records |
Getting Copies of Thurston County Divorce Records
The page below shows the Thurston County portal for obtaining court records, which explains how to search and purchase copies of dissolution documents online.
View the Thurston County Obtaining Court Records page
That page outlines the full process for requesting dissolution documents, including online purchase options and instructions for records not available digitally.
Copy fees in Thurston County are as follows. Hard copies of non-certified documents cost $0.50 per page. Electronic non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Certified copies in hard copy form are mailed to you. Certified copies purchased online include a certification page with instructions to verify the document using the Clerk's website.
If you want to view documents without paying, go to the public computers at either the main Thurston County Courthouse or the Family and Juvenile Court facility. Confidential documents may be viewed by appointment if you are a party to the case.
For statewide searches, use the Washington State Courts Case Locator or the Odyssey Portal. Both tools let you search by party name or case number and show case summaries and filing dates for Thurston County dissolution cases. The Washington State Name and Case Search is also available and updates every 24 hours.
The image below shows the Washington State Courts directory for Thurston County with contact information for judges, clerks, and court staff.
View the WA State Courts Thurston County directory
The directory is maintained by the Washington State Courts Administrative Office and updated regularly.
Fees for Dissolution in Thurston County
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition in Thurston County is approximately $350. This amount covers the statutory surcharges required under Washington State law. The petitioner pays this when filing the Petition for Dissolution. If you cannot afford the fee, you can file a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. People who receive public assistance or whose income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. All fee waiver forms are free and available at courts.wa.gov/forms.
Other potential costs include service of process, parenting seminar fees (required if children are involved), and mediation fees. The parenting seminar is provided by Family Education and Support Services at (360) 754-7629, toll-free at 1-877-813-2828, and online at familyess.org. Mediation costs vary; the Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center uses a sliding fee scale based on household income.
Note: Contact the Thurston County Clerk or email tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us to confirm current fees before you file or request copies.
Family Law Mediation in Thurston County
Washington State has required separating parents to create a Parenting Plan since 1987. The Thurston County Superior Court may refer parents to the Mandatory Parenting Plan Mediation Program if they cannot agree on a plan on their own. Under Local Court Rule LSPR 94.05, parties to any court action involving a parenting plan must participate in mediation before going to trial, except in domestic violence cases.
The image below shows the Thurston County Superior Court Family Law Mediation page, which explains the mediation process and requirements for parents going through dissolution.
View the Thurston County Family Law Mediation page
That page covers the mandatory mediation program, available mediators, and what to do if domestic violence is a concern.
Mediation is available through the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County or through private mediators on the court's Family Court Mediation Panel. The DRC is located at PO Box 6184, Olympia, WA 98507-6184, phone (360) 956-1155. Fees at the DRC are based on a sliding scale of household income. In 2024, the DRC served 5,100 people and reached agreements in 86% of mediation cases.
The image below shows the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County website, which provides information on mediation services and how to get started.
Visit the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County
The DRC provides services for family matters including dissolution, parenting plan creation, and plan modifications. No one is turned away for lack of funds.
Legal Resources in Thurston County
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS) helps people with civil legal issues including family law. Call (360) 705-8194 or toll-free at 1-844-211-6916. Their website is tcvls.org. They provide legal advice at clinics for people who qualify based on income.
If you are receiving public assistance or state medical through Washington, contact the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Division of Family Support at (360) 786-5536. This office handles child support establishment and enforcement related to public assistance cases.
Washington Courts has all forms needed for dissolution cases. Download them free at courts.wa.gov/forms. The Thurston County Superior Court website also has local court forms and rules at www.thurstoncountywa.gov/sc. Self-represented parties should always keep a current address, phone number, and email on file with the court. Use the Notice of Appearance (FL All Family 118) to do this. If your contact information changes, file a Notice of Address Change (FL All Family 120). More self-help guides are at washingtonlawhelp.org.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds older divorce records transferred from Thurston County. Search the Divorce Records collection by county name to find older cases. This is a free resource available online.
Cities in Thurston County
All dissolution cases in Thurston County are filed at the Superior Court in Olympia, regardless of which city you live in.
Other communities in Thurston County include Yelm, Tenino, Rainier, and Bucoda. All dissolution cases for these areas go through Thurston County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Thurston County. File your dissolution case in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.