Pacific County Public Records /Pacific County Divorce Records

Pacific County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Pacific County in 2026

PacificCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records, including dissolution of marriage filings, final decrees, and related court documents. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, court orders, and docket entries. Record availability and completeness may vary depending on the age of the case and whether any portions have been sealed by court order.

Divorce records in Washington State are maintained primarily by the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the dissolution proceeding was filed. Members of the public may search these records through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools provided by the Washington State court system.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Washington Courts Case Search portal is the most common method for locating dissolution of marriage cases filed in Pacific County. The system provides free access to basic case information, including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and hearing schedules. Obtaining copies of actual documents may require payment of applicable fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Washington State Courts case lookup tool allows members of the public to search across multiple jurisdictions within the state. This consolidated database is particularly useful when the county of filing is uncertain, as it indexes cases from Superior Courts statewide.

3. State Vital Records

The Washington State Department of Health vital records office issues certified copies of divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized in Washington. The Department of Health notes that it "issues certified copies of vital records (or 'certificates') for births, deaths, stillbirths, fetal deaths, marriages, and divorces." Members of the public seeking a certified divorce certificate rather than a full court file may submit a request for ordering a marriage or divorce record directly through the Department of Health.

In-Person Searches

Pacific County Superior Court – Clerk of Court
300 Memorial Drive
South Bend, WA 98586
Phone: (360) 875-9320
Washington State Court Directory: Pacific County

Members of the public may visit the Clerk's office during regular business hours to search case files, view documents, request certified copies, and use public access terminals. Staff are available to assist with locating case records by party name or case number.

Records Department – Historical and Archived Cases

Older dissolution records that predate electronic filing may be maintained in archived storage. Requestors seeking records from earlier decades should contact the Clerk's office directly to confirm availability and retrieval timelines. The Washington State Archives, Southwest Region Branch also holds historical Pacific County Auditor records, including Pacific County Auditor marriage records from 1872 to 1947, which may be relevant for genealogical research.

By Mail

Written Request – Pacific County Superior Court Clerk
PO Box 67
South Bend, WA 98586

Written requests should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the dissolution, the case number if known, the requestor's contact information, and payment for applicable copy fees. A self-addressed stamped envelope should be included for return correspondence. Processing time is typically one to two weeks, though archived records may require additional time.

By Phone

The Clerk of Court may be reached at (360) 875-9320. Staff can confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, verify case status, and confirm the filing date. Detailed document contents, copies of filings, and confidential information cannot be provided by telephone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Washington State may access dissolution records on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may require a formal showing of need. Attorneys may also petition the court for access to sealed portions of a case file. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Washington State Bar Association's referral services.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of the dissolution
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of the marriage
Previous addresses in Pacific County
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Washington are filed in the Superior Court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties using the statewide case search portal. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the dissolution was filed.

Under Washington law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state at the time of filing. Washington does not impose a minimum in-state residency period before a dissolution petition may be filed, though the petitioner must establish that Washington courts have jurisdiction.

Time Considerations

Recent Dissolutions:

Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final order is entered
Electronic filing has reduced processing delays for cases filed in recent years

Older Dissolutions:

Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format
Retrieval of archived records may require additional time and a specific written request
Some older records may not be digitized and must be reviewed in person

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The dissolution was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case has not yet been finalized and remains pending
Very old records are in off-site archival storage
The case or portions of it have been sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Pacific County Superior Court Clerk at (360) 875-9320
Attempt alternate name spellings in the online search portal
Search under both spouses' names
Submit a request to the Washington State Department of Health for a divorce certificate
Consult an attorney for assistance with sealed or difficult-to-locate records

What Are Pacific County Divorce Records?

Pacific County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Pacific County Superior Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the family law case file and constitute public records subject to applicable access laws.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

The complete case file for a dissolution proceeding may include:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits from both parties
Parenting plans, if minor children are involved
Settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution

Final Decree

The final decree of dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It constitutes legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date the marriage was legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Spousal support or maintenance terms, if any
Child custody and parenting plan provisions, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Any court-ordered name restoration

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents

Additional documents that may be part of the case file include financial disclosure statements, property inventories, appraisals, parenting plan modifications, and post-judgment enforcement or modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Legal Purposes

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes
Supporting immigration proceedings
Facilitating property transfers
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Social Security benefit determinations

Personal Purposes

Genealogical and family history research
Personal record-keeping
Verification of dissolution terms

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Pacific County Superior Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of dissolution records, maintaining complete case files indexed by party names. The Washington State Department of Health maintains divorce certificates as part of the state's vital records system under Chapter 70.58A RCW, which governs the registration and issuance of vital records in Washington State. Court records provide more comprehensive documentation than vital records certificates, which contain only summary information.

Washington's dissolution of marriage statutes, codified under § 26.09 RCW, govern the legal framework for divorce proceedings in the state, including grounds, property division, and child-related provisions.

Are Pacific County Divorce Records Public?

Dissolution of marriage records filed in Pacific County Superior Court are public court records subject to Washington's Public Records Act, codified under § 42.56 RCW. Members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents, though certain categories of information are restricted or redacted to protect sensitive personal data.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments
Final decree of dissolution
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
Some financial statements may be filed under seal

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside
Schools children attend
Medical and psychological evaluations of children
Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
Guardian ad litem reports are typically restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Mediation communications, which are confidential by statute

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a dissolution case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.

Who Can Access Records:

Requestor Category	Level of Access
General public	Public documents and docket information
Parties to the case	Full access to their own case file
Attorneys of record	Full access; may petition for sealed records
Law enforcement	Statutory access to certain restricted records
Researchers and media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records

Prohibited Uses:

Stalking, harassment, or intimidation
Identity theft or fraud
Violation of existing protective orders
Commercial exploitation where prohibited by law

Permitted Uses:

Legal proceedings and background verification
Genealogical research
News reporting protected under the First Amendment
Academic research
Personal record verification

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Pacific County?

The Pacific County Superior Court Clerk charges standard fees for copying and certifying dissolution records. Members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the Clerk's office, as fee schedules are subject to revision.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Service	Estimated Fee
Copies (per page)	$0.50 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$5.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee)
Certification fee	$5.00
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies
Record search fee	No separate search fee for in-person requests

Washington State Department of Health – Divorce Certificate Fees:

Certified divorce certificate: $25.00 per copy
Additional copies ordered at the same time: $25.00 each

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Check or money order payable to Pacific County Superior Court
Credit or debit card (availability may vary; confirm with Clerk's office)

Fee Waivers:

Members of the public who demonstrate financial hardship may petition the court for a waiver of filing and copy fees. Fee waiver eligibility is governed by Washington court rules, and applicants must complete the appropriate court forms. The Washington State Courts provide dissolution of marriage court forms, including fee waiver applications, through the official court forms portal.

What Is Available at No Cost:

Online case index searches through the Washington Courts Case Search portal
Viewing of public docket entries online
In-person inspection of public case documents at the Clerk's office (no copy fee for viewing only)

What's Included in Divorce Records in Pacific County

A dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Pacific County Superior Court Clerk is a comprehensive collection of documents generated throughout the proceeding. The contents vary depending on whether the case was contested or uncontested, whether minor children were involved, and the complexity of the marital estate.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and assigned judge
Names of petitioner and respondent
Names and contact information of attorneys of record
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, and the relief requested, including property division, support, and custody arrangements. The respondent's answer or counterpetition, if filed, presents the respondent's position on each issue raised.

Financial affidavits filed by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement funds, as well as all outstanding liabilities.

Discovery Documents:

In contested cases, the file may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, deposition notices, and financial records such as tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and business financial statements.

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and valuations
Debt inventory covering mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
Real property appraisals and business valuations
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

The parenting plan is a required document in all dissolutions involving minor children. It establishes legal custody (decision-making authority), physical custody and primary residence, a detailed timesharing schedule including holidays and vacations, transportation arrangements, and provisions for relocation. The child support calculation worksheet documents income information, the number of overnights with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses, resulting in the support amount ordered by the court.

Custody evaluations, if ordered, may include psychological assessments, home studies, and evaluator recommendations. Guardian ad litem reports, when a guardian is appointed to represent the children's interests, are typically restricted from general public access.

Settlement Documents:

A marital settlement agreement, when the parties resolve issues by agreement, comprehensively addresses property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions. Mediation agreements, if the parties participated in mediation, may be incorporated into the settlement agreement, though mediation communications themselves remain confidential.

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case may address temporary custody, support, use of the marital residence, and restraining orders. The final judgment of dissolution is the court's definitive order terminating the marriage, incorporating all findings of fact, conclusions of law, property awards, support obligations, and parenting provisions. Where retirement accounts are divided, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is issued as a separate order directing the plan administrator.

Post-Judgment Documents:

Following entry of the final decree, the case file may be supplemented with petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions alleging non-compliance, income deduction orders for support enforcement, and related court orders.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted from all public filings)
Addresses and schools of minor children
Domestic violence details, which may be sealed upon motion
Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
Mediation communications
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Pacific County?

Proof of divorce in Pacific County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution or a certified divorce certificate issued by the Washington State Department of Health. The appropriate document depends on the purpose for which proof is required.

Certified Copy of Final Decree – Pacific County Superior Court:

Members of the public may obtain a certified copy of the final decree by submitting a request to the Pacific County Superior Court Clerk in person, by mail, or by phone. The request should include the names of both parties, the approximate date of dissolution, and the case number if known. Payment of applicable certification and copy fees is required at the time of the request.

Pacific County Superior Court Clerk
300 Memorial Drive
South Bend, WA 98586
Mailing: PO Box 67, South Bend, WA 98586
Phone: (360) 875-9320
Washington State Court Directory: Pacific County

Certified Divorce Certificate – Washington State Department of Health:

The Washington State Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized in Washington. As the Department of Health states, members of the public may request ordering a marriage or divorce record directly from the county court that processed the divorce or from the state vital records office. A certified divorce certificate provides summary information confirming the dissolution but does not include the full terms of the decree.

Washington State Department of Health – Vital Records
PO Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507
Phone: (360) 236-4300
Vital Records | Washington State Department of Health

Steps to Obtain Proof of Divorce:

Identify the county where the dissolution was filed (Pacific County Superior Court for cases filed in Pacific County)
Locate the case number using the Washington Courts Case Search portal
Submit a request to the Clerk of Court in person, by mail, or by phone
Provide identifying information for both parties and the approximate dissolution date
Pay applicable certification and copy fees
Receive the certified copy by mail or in person, depending on the method of request

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Pacific County?

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Pacific County are presumptively public, but Washington law permits the court to seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause. Confidentiality is the exception rather than the rule, and a court order is required to restrict public access to any portion of a dissolution record.

Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Sealed or Restricted:

Domestic violence cases, where disclosure of a party's address or identifying information could endanger a victim
Cases involving allegations of child abuse or sexual abuse, where sensitive evaluations or reports are filed
Mental health and substance abuse records incorporated into court filings
Cases where the parties have entered into a confidential settlement agreement and sought court approval to seal its terms
High-profile cases where the court finds that public access would cause substantial harm outweighing the public interest in transparency

Statutory Basis:

Washington's Public Records Act under § 42.56 RCW establishes the presumption of public access to government records, including court filings. Exceptions to public access must be grounded in a specific statutory exemption or a court order supported by findings of good cause. Mediation communications are separately protected as confidential under Washington's mediation confidentiality statutes and are not part of the public court record regardless of whether a sealing order is entered.

Information That Is Always Redacted (Not Sealed):

Social Security numbers
Financial account numbers
Addresses of domestic violence victims
Names and identifying information of minor children in certain circumstances

How Long Does Pacific County Keep Divorce Records?

Pacific County Superior Court maintains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with Washington State court records retention schedules established by the Washington State Archives and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Retention Periods:

Final decrees of dissolution and complete case files for contested dissolutions: Permanent retention
Uncontested dissolution case files: Retained for a minimum of 75 years
Financial affidavits and supporting financial documents: Retained for the duration of the case file retention period
Post-judgment modification and enforcement records: Retained as part of the original case file

Key Points Regarding Retention:

Washington courts treat final dissolution decrees as permanent records due to their ongoing legal significance for property rights, name changes, and marital status
Older paper records may be transferred to the Washington State Archives for long-term preservation
The Washington State Archives Digital Archives preserves electronic records from local government agencies, including Pacific County Auditor recorded land records, which may reflect property transfers ordered in dissolution proceedings
Members of the public seeking records from archived cases should contact the Pacific County Superior Court Clerk to confirm the location and retrieval process for specific records
Washington State Archives retention schedules are established pursuant to state law and apply uniformly to all Superior Court records statewide

The Washington State Department of Health retains divorce certificate records in accordance with the vital records retention requirements established under Chapter 70.58A RCW, which governs the registration, maintenance, and issuance of vital records in Washington State. Vital records are maintained permanently by the Department of Health.