Yes, divorce records are public in Washington. Court records are presumptively open under Washington General Rule 31 and the Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56). Anyone can view a divorce case file without being a party and without stating a reason. Sensitive data like Social Security numbers is redacted, and courts can seal records by order.
Washington calls divorce "dissolution of marriage," governed by Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030. The state maintains an open-records tradition: divorce petitions, decrees, and settlement terms sit in the public file at the county Superior Court clerk's office unless a judge orders otherwise. This guide explains exactly what is public, what is protected, how to search public divorce filings, and how to seal divorce records when privacy is at stake.
Key Facts: Washington Divorce Records at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $314 in most counties (up to $364 in some); base statutory portion $50 under Wash. Rev. Code § 36.18.020 |
| Waiting Period | 90 days minimum from filing AND service (Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030) |
| Residency Requirement | No minimum duration; petitioner or spouse must be a Washington resident |
| Grounds | No-fault only: marriage "irretrievably broken" |
| Property Division Type | Community property, divided "just and equitable" (Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.080) |
| Records Access Rule | General Rule 31 (GR 31); family cases add GR 22 protections |
| Public Access | Open to anyone; no party status or reason required |
As of January 2026. Verify current fees with your local Superior Court clerk.
Are Divorce Records Public in Washington?
Divorce records are public in Washington under General Rule 31 (GR 31) and the Washington Public Records Act, Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.070. Any member of the public may inspect a dissolution case file at the county Superior Court clerk's office. You do not need to be a party to the divorce, and you are not required to state a reason for your request. This open-access default covers the petition, the final decree, and most filed pleadings.
Washington's presumption of openness reflects a deep policy commitment to judicial transparency. Court files are considered public property, and the burden falls on anyone seeking secrecy to justify closure. When you ask whether divorce records are public in Washington, the baseline answer is a clear yes for the docket, the petition for dissolution, the decree, and most substantive orders. The Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted serves as the official custodian. Each of Washington's 39 counties maintains its own clerk's office, and each processes public divorce filings under the same statewide court rules, ensuring consistency regardless of where the dissolution was filed.
What Divorce Information Is Public vs. Redacted
Most divorce documents are public, but Washington redacts specific sensitive identifiers under GR 22. Filers must omit or truncate Social Security numbers (only the last four digits may appear), financial account numbers (last four digits only), and driver's license numbers. A separate Confidential Information Form stores full personal data outside the public record, keeping addresses, dates of birth, and children's details private.
The distinction between public and protected information is precise. Publicly viewable material includes party names, the case number, the filing date, the petition for dissolution, the final decree, parenting plans (the schedule itself), property division terms, and most motions and orders. Protected or redacted material includes full Social Security numbers, complete financial account numbers, home addresses submitted on the Confidential Information Form, and children's identifying details. Under General Rule 22, custody evaluations, parenting investigations, and guardian ad litem reports carry heightened protection and are restricted to the parties, their attorneys, and approved agencies. This layered approach means the outcome of a case is public while the raw personal data behind it stays shielded, balancing transparency against divorce records privacy.
Two Types of Washington Divorce Records
Washington maintains two distinct divorce records held by two different agencies. The county Superior Court clerk holds the full case file and decree with all detailed terms, while the Washington State Department of Health issues a one-page divorce certificate confirming the divorce for events on or after January 1, 1968. Knowing which agency to contact saves time and money.
The two records serve different purposes. The divorce certificate is a single-page document printed on security paper that lists both parties' names, the date, and the county where the divorce was finalized; it proves a divorce occurred but contains none of the settlement terms. The full case file, by contrast, is the complete dissolution record under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030, containing the petition, decree, parenting plan, financial declarations, and every order the court entered. Vital records at the Department of Health fall under Chapter 70.58A RCW and are handled through an application process rather than a standard public disclosure request. If you need proof a divorce happened, order the certificate; if you need the terms, request the court file.
Comparison: Public Access vs. Certified Copies
| Access Type | Who Can Obtain It | Cost Range (2026) | Source Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| View/inspect case file | Anyone (public) | Free to view; copy fees apply | County Superior Court clerk |
| Uncertified copies | Anyone (public) | ~$0.50–$1 per page | County Superior Court clerk |
| Certified copy of decree | Parties and their attorneys only | $10–$50 typical | County Superior Court clerk |
| Divorce certificate | Anyone (no ID required) | Around $25 per certified copy | WA Department of Health |
| Online case index search | Anyone | Free | Washington Courts Case Search |
As of January 2026. Verify current fees with your local clerk or the Department of Health.
How to Search Public Divorce Filings in Washington
You can perform a divorce records search in Washington three ways: the statewide Washington Courts Case Search website (free), the county Superior Court clerk's office, or the Department of Health for certificates. The online index typically requires both parties' names and, ideally, the case number. Certified copies of the full decree are limited to the divorcing parties and their attorneys.
Start with the statewide index for the fastest result. Washington Courts Case Search lets anyone look up case existence, party names, case type, and filing status at no cost; it confirms a case exists but does not display full document images. To read the actual pleadings, contact the county Superior Court clerk where the divorce was filed and request to inspect or copy the file. Note an important technical distinction: some counties clarify that Chapter 42.56 RCW governs administrative records, while court case files are accessed through the clerk under court rules (GR 31), not a standard Public Records Act request. For the divorce certificate alone, the Department of Health processes orders without requiring identification, since any member of the public may order a certified certificate for any divorce in the state.
How to Seal Divorce Records in Washington
To seal divorce records in Washington, you must file a motion with the Superior Court and prove your privacy interests substantially outweigh the public's right of access. Sealing is not automatic. Under General Rule 15 and Wash. Rev. Code § 26.12.080, the court applies a balancing test weighing personal safety, privacy, and the public interest before entering written findings that justify closure.
Washington law provides two paths to confidentiality. First, certain documents seal automatically without a court order: financial source documents, personal health care records, confidential reports, and unredacted Judicial Information System records must be filed under a designated cover sheet (for example, "SEALED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS") and the clerk seals them by rule under GR 22. Second, to seal other records or an entire file, you must request a hearing, give reasonable notice to all parties, and submit a proposed order with specific findings. When a whole file is sealed, the public index still shows the party names, case type, and a "case sealed" notation, so complete anonymity is impossible. A court may later unseal records under GR 15(e) if all parties agree or the original justification no longer exists.
Residency, Grounds, and the 90-Day Waiting Period
Washington imposes no minimum residency duration, requires only no-fault grounds, and enforces a mandatory 90-day waiting period. Under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030, a court has jurisdiction if the petitioner or spouse is a Washington resident, or is (or is married to) a service member stationed in the state. The sole ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."
Washington's residency rule is among the most flexible in the nation, requiring no set length of prior residence, unlike states demanding 6 to 12 months. The 90-day clock is triggered by two events: filing the petition and completing service on the respondent (or the respondent's joinder). Filing alone does not start the period, so delaying service extends the timeline. The Washington Supreme Court confirmed the period runs from filing and from the date service was made. This waiting period cannot be waived under any circumstances, even in cases involving domestic violence, though Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.060 allows temporary orders for custody, support, and property use during the 90 days. Uncontested cases often finalize in 3 to 4 months; contested divorces can run 6 to 18 months.
Filing Fees and Costs for Washington Divorce
The divorce filing fee in Washington is $314 in most counties, though some charge up to $364. The base statutory fee under Wash. Rev. Code § 36.18.020 is $50, but counties add mandatory surcharges that raise the total. King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties charge $314; Lincoln County charges $364. Fee waivers are available for low-income filers.
Understanding the cost structure prevents surprises at the courthouse. The $314 figure represents the base $50 dissolution fee plus statewide surcharges funding court operations and legal aid. Filers earning at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines ($19,406 for a single person in 2026) may request a Fee Waiver, submitting income documentation with the petition; courts grant full or partial waivers based on need. Beyond the filing fee, budget for service of process ($50–$100 if a professional server delivers papers), certified copies ($10–$50), and any certified divorce certificate from the Department of Health (around $25). Because each of Washington's 39 Superior Courts sets its own schedule, always verify the current amount with your local clerk before filing. All official forms are available free at courts.wa.gov/forms.