Spokane County, Washington Divorce Records
Spokane County divorce records are official records of divorce proceedings within the county. Such records basically reveal divorced couples’ personal information, divorce year, reason for the divorce, and the number of minors affected by the divorce. Divorce records in Spokane County are important for various legal and financial purposes. Concerned parties may use the records to refinance mortgages, settle inheritance disputes, or as a reference in alimony and child support cases.
Spokane County Divorce Rate: About 13.4% of Spokane County residents were divorced as of December 31, 2024. Male and female resident divorce rates were at 11.6% and 15.1%, respectively.
Are Divorce Records Public in Spokane County?
Yes, most divorce records in Spokane County are open to the public. The Washington Public Record Act and WA General Rule 22 generally allow interested persons or entities to access most divorce records from designated record custodians. These custodians are government agencies tasked with the creation and recordkeeping of divorce records. The state law requires custodians to provide avenues through which the public may obtain divorce records.
Washington laws may prevent the release of specific information in divorce documents. For example, the laws may prevent the release of court-sealed divorce information. Record subjects may petition the court to seal specific information for reasons, such as privacy and safety.
How to Find Divorce Records in Spokane County
Record seekers may search and obtain divorce records in Spokane County by using these steps:
- Identify the names of the parties involved: The case party names, alongside other search information, are necessary when looking up divorce records. For example, you need the case party name to view records on the Spokane County Court Viewer platform.
- Identify the record custodians in charge of maintaining the records: Spokane County divorce records are under the purview of state and local agencies. At the state level, the Washington State Department of Health issues divorce records from 1968 to the present date. In contrast, you may look up divorce records by submitting a request to the Spokane County Clerk’s Office.
- Choose a preferred method of looking up divorce records: Record seekers may use online search databases to find informational copies of divorce documents. To view records online, record seekers must input the case party name in the Spokane County Court Viewer.
In contrast, record seekers may obtain full copies of divorce records by mail or in-person requests. You may request records via mail from the Washington State Department of Health by following these steps: - Complete a divorce order form.
- Attach a $25 money order or check.
- Include a photocopy of a valid ID if the request is for a confidential divorce record.
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Submit the request form and fees to the agency at this address:
Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Oympia WA 98507-9709.
The Spokane County Clerk’s Office accepts in-person and mail requests for divorce decrees and certificates. Requesters must submit the request to this address:
Spokane County Clerk's Office
1116 West Broadway Avenue
Room 300
Spokane, WA 99260
The request must include the following:
- A request letter that contains specifics of the divorce event, including the case party name and divorce year.
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope if the request is mail-based.
- The required fees. Record seekers may contact the clerk’s office for recent fee schedules.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Spokane County Court Viewer | Full name | Free | Instant |
| In Person | Spokane County Clerk’s Office | Case party name, divorce year, and photo ID if the request is for confidential records. | Varies | Same day |
| By Mail | Clerk’s Office, Washington State Department of Health | Request form, valid ID payment | $25 | 6-8 weeks (for requests made to the State’s Department of Health). |
Overview of the Spokane County Court System
The Spokane County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over family law matters, including divorce case filings. While there’s no separate family court division, the superior court’s family court department handles family and domestic relations cases. The public may find the superior court at this address:
Spokane County Courthouse
1116 West Broadway Avenue
Spokane, WA 99260
Phone: (509) 477-5790
The Spokane County Clerk’s Office maintains records of divorce cases heard at the superior court. As the record custodian, the clerk’s office may release copies of court documents upon receiving a mail or in-person request from record seekers. Record seekers may submit their request to this address:
Spokane County Clerk's Office
1116 West Broadway Avenue
Room 300
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 477-2211
Online Access to Spokane County Divorce Records
Record seekers may find Spokane divorce records online via the superior court’s Court Viewer platform. The platform allows name-based searches for divorce case files and related information.
Alternatively, record seekers may look up divorce records through third-party search websites. These websites may allow name- or case number-based searches for divorce records. They are generally easy to navigate and may allow requesters to download court documents. Nevertheless, third-party websites are not government-regulated and, as such, may not include verifiable information.
What’s Typically Included in a Spokane Divorce Record
Spokane County divorce records typically reveal the following information:
- Petitioner’s and respondent’s names.
- Names and contact information of legal representatives.
- Court summons.
- Filed court documents, such as the petition for the dissolution of marriage, police reports, and marriage certificates.
- Case information statement, including financial declaration.
- Divorce date.
- Court orders, including divorce decrees, child support orders, and date of satisfaction
Record custodians may redact or withhold information that endangers the safety of vulnerable parties. For example, personal information of minors and abused partners is often excluded from publicly accessible records. Custodians may also exempt confidential bank or trade information filed in divorce case proceedings.
| Information | Available to the Public? |
|---|---|
| Names of spouses | Yes |
| Divorce date | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Custody arrangements | Sometimes restricted |
| Financial disclosures | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Spokane Divorce Records
Record seekers may obtain certified copies of Spokane divorce records from the county clerk’s office. The clerk may release this record upon requests from legally eligible parties, such as the case party and their legal representatives.
To obtain certified divorce records in Spokane, record seekers may follow these steps:
- Create a request form that provides relevant search data, such as the case party name, number, and divorce date.
- Include a copy of a valid ID, such as a driver’s license or travel passport.
- Attach the required fees. The clerk’s office charges $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of certified divorce records.
- Submit the request to the clerk’s office at this address:
1116 West Broadway Avenue
Room 300
Spokane, WA 99260.
Note: Certified copies of divorce records are not the same as informational copies. The latter bears the official seal of the county clerk’s office and is crucial in legal processes. For example, concerned parties may need to provide certified divorce records when processing a travel passport or applying for a new marriage license.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal proceedings | Anyone with a valid ID. | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy, general info | Anyone (if public) | No |
Spokane Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane County Clerk’s Office | Full case files, certificates, judgments | Public Portal / Mail / In person. | Certified divorce copies: $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page. |
| Washington State Department of Health (Vital Records) | Divorce certificates and decrees | Mail-in via form. | $25 per copy. |
| Third-Party Websites | Aggregated records | Online search (paid) | Convenience at cost; accuracy may vary |