To find divorce records in Washington State online, start with two free state tools: the Washington State Digital Archives divorce index (1969–2017) and the Washington Courts Name and Case Search. Once you have the names, date, and county, you can order a divorce certificate online through VitalChek from the Department of Health, or request the full divorce decree from the Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Decide Which Record You Actually Need
Two different agencies hold two different documents, and picking the wrong one is the most common mistake.
A divorce certificate is a one-page document on security paper that confirms a divorce happened. It shows the names of both parties, the date, and the county. The Washington State Department of Health issues these for divorces finalized on or after January 1, 1968. Sometimes it’s called a certificate of dissolution. A certificate proves marital status but contains no details about the terms.1Washington State Department of Health. Ordering a Marriage or Divorce Record
A divorce decree is the multi-page court order that ended the marriage. It sets out property division, custody, support, and any other terms. You get this only from the Superior Court clerk in the county where the case was finalized. The Department of Health does not have decrees.1Washington State Department of Health. Ordering a Marriage or Divorce Record
People often end up needing both. The certificate proves you’re divorced; the decree proves what the divorce required.
One boundary to know before you start: for divorces finalized before January 1, 1968, the county Superior Court clerk is the only source for any records. The Department of Health does not have them.2Washington State Archives, Digital Archives. Department of Health, Divorce Certificates, 1968-1999
Free Online Tools to Locate a Record
Two state websites let you confirm a divorce exists and pull the details you’ll need to order copies. Neither one gives you the actual document.
Washington State Digital Archives
The Digital Archives hosts a divorce index covering 1969 through 2017. Search by name and it will return the date and county of the divorce. That’s usually enough to fill out a certificate order or to walk into (or call) the right Superior Court clerk. Browsing the index is free.3Washington State Archives, Digital Archives. Department of Health, Divorce Index, 1969-2017
Washington Courts Name and Case Search
The Washington State Courts website has a free search that pulls case information from state courts. You can search by person name or case number and find the court where a case was filed. Results are updated daily, but the site is clear that this is reference information, not the official court record. You cannot download documents through it. Use it to find a case number, then take that number to the Superior Court clerk for copies.4Washington State Courts. Washington State Courts Name and Case Search
What to Have Ready Before You Search
- Full names of both parties. Two names beats one and prevents wrong-record returns.
- An approximate date of finalization, or at least a range of years.
- The county where the divorce was granted.
- The case number, if you have it. If you don’t, the case search above often surfaces it.
Ordering a Divorce Certificate Online
The Department of Health uses VitalChek for online orders. The fee starts at $40.50 per copy: $25 for the certificate, $8.50 VitalChek processing, and $7 DOH processing. An optional identity authentication quiz adds $3 if applied. Orders process and ship in 3 to 7 business days depending on the shipping option you pick.5Washington State Department of Health. Ordering a Vital Record
Phone orders at 1-866-687-1464 use the same system and pricing. Mail orders cost less ($25 per copy) but take 6 to 8 weeks, and in-person service is offered through some local health departments; both are alternatives if online isn’t working for you.5Washington State Department of Health. Ordering a Vital Record
The Recent-Divorce Delay
It can take up to five months after a divorce is finalized for the county clerk to transmit the record to the Department of Health. If your divorce is recent and DOH can’t find it, that’s usually why. Order the decree from the county Superior Court clerk in the meantime; it exists there as soon as the judge signs it.1Washington State Department of Health. Ordering a Marriage or Divorce Record
Getting the Full Decree from Superior Court
For the decree itself, contact the Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized. That office holds the complete case file with the judge’s orders and every supporting document.6Washington State Courts. Court Forms – Divorce (Dissolution)
Most counties take requests in person, by mail, or through an online portal if the county runs one. Availability of online ordering varies by county, so check the specific clerk’s website. Fees also vary, so call to confirm current pricing and payment methods. Having the case number ready, which is where the free Washington Courts search earns its keep, cuts the wait considerably.
Certified Copy or Informational Copy
When you order from the Department of Health, VitalChek will ask which type of copy you want.
A certified copy carries an official seal and the registrar’s signature on security paper. Use this for legal transactions: remarriage, name changes on government ID, passport updates, and similar. Order a certified copy through the state registrar with the applicable fee.7Washington State Legislature. Chapter 70.58A RCW – Vital Statistics
An informational copy contains the limited data allowed by rule. It works for personal reference, genealogy, or simply confirming a divorce happened. Under Washington law, the state or local registrar will issue an informational copy to anyone who submits an application and the fee.7Washington State Legislature. Chapter 70.58A RCW – Vital Statistics
Washington’s vital records statute treats these documents differently from typical public records. They are not subject to the state public disclosure law, but they remain available through the Department of Health’s application process.7Washington State Legislature. Chapter 70.58A RCW – Vital Statistics
What You’ll See in the Record, and What You Won’t
Court records in Washington are generally open under General Rule 31, which provides access to court records except where restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, or court order.8Washington State Courts. GR 31 Access to Court Records
Divorce files carry sensitive information that is kept out of the public version. GR 31 requires parties to redact or omit Social Security numbers (only the last four digits may appear), financial account numbers (last four digits only), and driver’s license numbers from filed documents.8Washington State Courts. GR 31 Access to Court Records
Family law cases also require a Confidential Information Form that keeps full Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, phone numbers, employer details, and children’s personal information out of the public file and stored separately.9Washington Courts. Confidential Information (CIF)
If the court sealed any portion of the file, that portion is off-limits without a separate court order. This sometimes happens with financial disclosures or protective order material. You may see references in the docket to sealed items you cannot open online or over the counter.