Whitman County Divorce Records
Whitman County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Colfax. The Clerk's Office keeps case records indefinitely, including dissolution decrees, parenting plans, and other family law filings. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a copy of a decree, or understand how filing works in Whitman County, this page covers the Clerk's Office contact details, search methods, fees, and local legal resources.
Whitman County Overview
Whitman County Superior Court Clerk
The Whitman County Clerk's Office is located at 400 N Main Street, Colfax, WA 99111. The Clerk manages the legal records and financial transactions of Superior Court cases. As an independent elected official, the Clerk preserves public access to accurate and independently established records of court opinions, decisions, and judgments. The Clerk is independent of the judicial branch and provides external oversight of the judiciary.
Court case records are open to the public with some exceptions and are available for viewing at no charge in the Clerk's Office during business hours. The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays. Based on the Clerk's scanning efforts, all new filings and many older filings are only available electronically. Paper filings are not always retained except as required by statute. Older case files are stored in a secure, vaulted location.
| Office | Whitman County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
400 N Main Street Colfax, WA 99111 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | whitmancounty.gov/684/County-Clerk |
Accessing Whitman County Divorce Records
The image below shows the Whitman County Government Access to Court Records page, which explains how to view and request copies of dissolution records in Colfax.
View the Whitman County Access to Court Records page
That page explains the process for viewing case files at the Clerk's Office and how to submit email requests for copies of dissolution documents.
To request copies of filed documents or court hearings, email a request to the Clerk's Office. Provide as much information as you have about the party, the case, and what you want to receive. The Clerk will reply with the cost and method of obtaining the records. Copy fees are typically $0.50 per page for uncertified copies and $5.00 for certification plus copying costs.
If you want to view a case file older than ten years, provide at least 24 hours notice before your visit. Older files are stored in a secure, vaulted location and need to be pulled in advance. You can also listen to previously recorded proceedings in the Clerk's Office during regular hours.
The image below shows the Whitman County Government County Clerk page with an overview of the Clerk's responsibilities and how to contact the office.
View the Whitman County County Clerk page
The Clerk's page outlines the office's role in maintaining dissolution records and the steps for public access.
Online Tools for Whitman County Cases
Whitman County does not have its own dedicated online case portal. For online searches, use the statewide tools provided by Washington State Courts. The Washington State Courts Case Locator searches across all court types and shows case numbers, parties, and filing dates for cases filed in Whitman County Superior Court. Results update every 24 hours. The Case Locator does not show full document images.
The Washington Odyssey Portal gives public access to Superior Court case records. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney to find dissolution and family law cases in Whitman County. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and party information. For certified copies, contact the Clerk's Office directly. The Washington State Name and Case Search is another quick way to pull case numbers and filing dates before contacting the Clerk.
The image below shows the Washington State Courts directory for Whitman County, listing judges, clerks, and court staff contact information.
View the WA State Courts Whitman County directory
The directory is maintained by the Washington State Courts Administrative Office and updated regularly with current personnel.
Fees and Filing Information
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage in Whitman County is approximately $350. This covers statutory surcharges required under Washington State law. Certified copies of dissolution decrees cost $5.00 for certification plus per-page copy costs. Uncertified copies run $0.50 per page. For older records stored in the vault, provide 24 hours advance notice before your visit.
Fee waivers are available for people who qualify based on income. File a motion and declaration for waiver of civil filing fees. People who receive public assistance or whose household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualify. Forms for fee waivers are free at courts.wa.gov/forms or available in person at the Clerk's Office in Colfax.
Washington requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served before a dissolution can be finalized. This is a statewide rule under RCW 26.09.030. It applies in Whitman County just as it does everywhere else in the state.
Note: Whitman County Clerk staff provides information on court rules and procedures but cannot give legal advice. Contact an attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Mediation and Legal Help in Whitman County
The Northwest Mediation Center in Spokane serves Whitman County residents. They provide family mediation, conflict coaching, and the court-mandated "Sharing the Children" co-parenting seminar. Services are available on a sliding fee scale and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Contact NMC at (509) 456-0103. Their office is at 35 W Main Avenue, Suite 230, Spokane, WA 99201.
For free or low-cost legal assistance, contact Northwest Justice Project at (888) 201-1014. They serve low-income residents across Eastern Washington with dissolution, custody, and support cases. The Washington State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722 and online at wsba.org. Self-help guides and all official forms are available at washingtonlawhelp.org.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds older dissolution records transferred from Whitman County. Search the Divorce Records collection by county name to find older cases. Washington State Department of Health holds divorce certificates from 1968 to the present. Order at DOH's vital records page for $25 per copy.
Cities in Whitman County
All dissolution cases in Whitman County are filed at the Superior Court in Colfax, regardless of which city or community you live in.
Other communities in Whitman County include Colfax, Palouse, Tekoa, and St. John. Dissolution cases for all of those areas go through Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Whitman County. File in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.