Pierce County Public Records /Pierce County Divorce Records

Pierce County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Pierce County in 2026

PierceCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available data and information related to divorce records in Pierce County, Washington. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, final decrees, and related court documents. Record categories available through official channels include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and post-judgment modification orders.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk's office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, the Washington Courts case search portal, and the Washington State Department of Health vital records system.

Multiple Search Methods:

Online Searches:

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

Members of the public may search Pierce County Superior Court case records through the Washington Courts case search portal, which provides free access to basic case information including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and hearing schedules. Obtaining copies of actual documents requires payment of applicable fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a statewide court records portal, allowing users to search dissolution of marriage cases across multiple jurisdictions within Washington State. This consolidated database is particularly useful when the county of filing is uncertain.

3. State Vital Records

Washington State does not issue divorce certificates through the Department of Health in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Washington State Department of Health maintains limited divorce record data for statistical purposes; however, certified copies of divorce decrees are obtained directly from the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed.

In-Person Searches:

Clerk of Court Family Division:

Pierce County Superior Court Clerk
930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7455
Pierce County Clerk

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search dissolution case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Obtain staff assistance for locating archived records

Records Department:

The Pierce County Superior Court Clerk maintains a separate records and archives unit for historical and older case files. Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in physical archives and require additional retrieval time. Certified copy requests for archived cases are accepted at the main clerk's counter.

By Mail:

Written Request:

Mail to: Pierce County Superior Court Clerk, 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402
Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce or filing year
- Case number, if known
- Requester's full name and mailing address
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and whether records require retrieval from archives.

By Phone:

Limited Information:

Clerk of Court: (253) 798-7455
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
- Scheduled hearing dates
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted case information

Through Attorneys:

An attorney licensed in Washington State may access dissolution case files on behalf of a client, request sealed or restricted documents through proper court motion, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Washington State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for individuals who require legal representation in accessing complex or sealed records.

Information Needed for Search:

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate year or date range of the divorce
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior residential addresses in Pierce County
Names of minor children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County:

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Washington State are filed in the Superior Court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a divorce record must search in the county of residence, not the county where the marriage ceremony occurred. If residency is uncertain, searches across multiple county court systems may be necessary.

Residency Requirement:

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 residency duration for filing a dissolution petition, though the petitioner must be a Washington resident at the time the petition is filed.

Time Considerations:

Recent divorces may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing; records are entered into the system within days to a few weeks after the final order is signed.
Older divorces, particularly those filed prior to electronic case management, may be archived in physical storage and require additional retrieval time.
Cases filed before the mid-1990s may not be digitized and must be retrieved from paper archives upon special request.

What If You Cannot Find a Record:

Verify the correct county of filing; the divorce may have been filed in an adjacent county such as King, Kitsap, or Thurston.
Attempt alternate name spellings, including maiden names and hyphenated surnames.
Search under both spouses' names, as either party may appear as petitioner or respondent.
Confirm the case is finalized; a pending dissolution will not appear as a completed record.
Contact the Clerk's office directly at (253) 798-7455 for assistance with difficult searches.
Consult the Washington State Courts case search for statewide results.

What Are Pierce County Divorce Records?

Pierce County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in Pierce County Superior Court. These records constitute part of the permanent public court file and are maintained by the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk as the primary custodian.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Respondent's answer or response
Financial declarations from both parties
Proposed and final parenting plans
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings, if ordered
Final judgment and decree of dissolution

Final Decree:

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

The legal date of dissolution
Division of marital property and debts
Spousal maintenance provisions, if ordered
Child custody and residential schedule, if applicable
Child support obligations, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

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

Supporting Documents:

Original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
Financial disclosure statements
Real and personal property inventories
Post-judgment modification orders
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement account division

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Legal Purposes:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes with government agencies
Supporting immigration and naturalization proceedings
Verifying property transfer and title changes
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Social Security benefit determinations

Personal Purposes:

Genealogical and family history research
Personal record-keeping and verification
Confirming terms of prior court orders

Legal Framework:

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Washington State are governed by the Washington Dissolution of Marriage Act, codified at RCW Chapter 26.09. Access to court records is governed by GR 31, the Washington Court General Rule on privacy and court records, which establishes the framework for public access and restricted information in family law cases.

Are Pierce County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Pierce County Superior Court are public court records subject to the presumption of openness under Washington law. Under RCW 2.32.060, court records are open to public inspection, subject to specific statutory and rule-based restrictions. As the Washington Supreme Court has stated through its court rules, "court records are presumptively available to the public," while recognizing that certain categories of information warrant protection to preserve individual privacy and safety.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of petitioner and respondent
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled and completed hearing dates
Court orders and judgments
Final decree of dissolution
Property division orders
Docket entries reflecting the full case chronology

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings pursuant to GR 22
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed financial statements may carry limited access designations
Tax returns submitted as exhibits may be sealed or restricted

Children's Information:

Residential addresses of minor children
Names of schools children attend
Medical and psychological records pertaining to children
Child custody evaluations ordered by the court
Guardian ad litem reports, which are restricted to parties and counsel

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sexual abuse allegations and related evidence

Sealed Records:

A court may seal specific documents or an entire case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving domestic violence, abuse, or high-profile parties may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public court record.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of fees. Photo identification may be required at the clerk's counter.
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents designated as restricted, without limitation.
Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may file motions to access sealed documents upon a proper showing.
Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order and a showing consistent with First Amendment and public interest principles.

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use that information for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any conduct that violates a protective order issued in the case.

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

The Pierce County Superior Court Clerk charges standard fees for copying and certifying court records. Current fees are established pursuant to RCW 36.18.016, which governs clerk's fees in Washington Superior Courts.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Service	Current Fee
Copies (standard paper documents)	$0.50 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$5.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee)
Certification fee	$5.00 per certification
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies; contact clerk for current rate
Search fee	No separate search fee for in-person requests

Inspection of public court records at public access terminals in the courthouse is available at no charge.
Certified copies of the final decree of dissolution, which are required for remarriage, name change, and legal proceedings, carry the certification fee in addition to per-page copy costs.
Payment is accepted by cash, check payable to the Pierce County Clerk, and credit or debit card at the clerk's counter.
Fee waivers are available for indigent parties who have an active case and have been granted in forma pauperis status by the court; fee waivers do not extend to third-party requesters.
Mail requests must include a check or money order for the estimated fee; the clerk's office will contact the requester if additional payment is required.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Pierce County

A complete dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk contains the following categories of documents:

Basic Case Information:

Case caption including case number, court division, and party names
Judge and judicial department assigned to the case
Attorneys of record for each party
Filing date, case type designation, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The petition for dissolution of marriage identifies both parties, states the date and location of the marriage, identifies any minor children, and sets forth the relief requested including property division, spousal maintenance, and child-related provisions. Washington is a no-fault dissolution state; the petition states that the marriage is irretrievably broken pursuant to RCW 26.09.030. The respondent's answer or counterpetition sets forth that party's position and requests for relief.

Financial declarations filed by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit obligations.

Discovery Documents:

Interrogatories and answers under oath
Requests for production of financial and property documents
Depositions, if taken and filed with the court
Subpoenaed records filed as exhibits

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and estimated values
Debt inventory with creditor names and balances
Real property appraisals and business valuations
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

The parenting plan is a detailed document establishing legal custody (decision-making authority), primary residential placement, and a timesharing schedule covering regular weeks, holidays, school breaks, and vacations. It addresses transportation, communication between households, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities.

Child support is calculated using the Washington State Child Support Schedule, with a worksheet reflecting each parent's income, the number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. The final support order specifies the monthly amount, payment method, and provisions for modification.

Support Documents:

Spousal maintenance orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income calculation worksheets supporting maintenance determinations

Settlement Documents:

Marital settlement agreement resolving all contested issues, signed and notarized by both parties
Mediation agreement, if the case was mediated (note: mediation communications themselves are confidential)

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case
Restraining orders and injunctions, if issued
Final judgment and decree of dissolution containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and all final orders
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders for division of retirement plan benefits

Post-Judgment Documents:

Petitions and orders modifying custody, residential schedule, or support
Contempt motions and orders for enforcement of prior orders
Income deduction orders for support enforcement
Liens filed against property for unpaid support obligations

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted per court rule)
Residential addresses of minor children
Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
Domestic violence evidence in cases with protective orders
Guardian ad litem reports (restricted to parties and counsel)
Settlement negotiations and mediation communications

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Pierce County?

Proof of divorce in Pierce County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment and decree of dissolution issued by the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature, confirming it as a true and accurate reproduction of the original court record.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case number using the Washington Courts case search portal or by contacting the clerk's office directly.
Submit a request in person at the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk's office, by mail, or through the clerk's online request system where available.
Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if known.
Pay the applicable certification and per-page copy fees as described in the fee schedule above.
Receive the certified copy in person at the time of request (for in-person requests when the file is immediately available) or by mail within approximately 1–2 weeks.

Pierce County Superior Court Clerk
930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7455
Pierce County Superior Court Clerk

For individuals who need proof of divorce for immigration purposes, Social Security benefits, or remarriage in a foreign country, a certified copy of the final decree is the standard document accepted by federal agencies and foreign governments. The Washington State Department of Health does not issue a separate divorce certificate; the certified court decree serves as the official proof of dissolution.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Pierce County?

Dissolution of marriage cases filed in Pierce County Superior Court are presumptively public; however, specific documents or entire case files may be designated as confidential or sealed under Washington Court General Rule 31 and applicable family law statutes.

Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:

Domestic violence cases: Addresses, contact information, and safety-related details of protected parties may be sealed or redacted to prevent harm to victims.
Child protection matters: Information identifying the residential location, school, or medical providers of minor children may be restricted.
Mental health and substance abuse records: Records pertaining to treatment are protected under state and federal law and are not part of the public court file.
Sealed case orders: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal specific documents or the entire file upon a showing of good cause, such as trade secret information in business valuations or extraordinary privacy interests.
Mediation communications: Under RCW 7.07.030, mediation communications are confidential and are not filed with the court or accessible to the public.
Guardian ad litem reports: These reports are restricted to the parties, their counsel, and the court, and are not available for public inspection.

A court order is required to seal any document that would otherwise be public. The party seeking confidentiality bears the burden of demonstrating that the privacy interest outweighs the public's right of access.

How Long Does Pierce County Keep Divorce Records?

Pierce County Superior Court maintains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with the Washington State Court Records Retention Schedule established by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.

Retention periods for dissolution records are as follows:

Final judgments and decrees of dissolution: Retained permanently as part of the official court record. These documents are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely.
Complete case files (contested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of filing, reflecting the long-term legal significance of family law judgments.
Uncontested dissolution case files: Retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of filing.
Temporary orders and interlocutory documents: Retained as part of the case file for the duration of the applicable retention period.
Post-judgment modification files: Retained for the same period as the original case file, as modifications are part of the ongoing court record.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention schedules as paper records.

Older records that predate electronic filing systems may be stored in physical archives at the Pierce County Records Center. Retrieval of archived paper files requires additional processing time. The Washington State Archives also maintains court records transferred from county courts; members of the public may contact the Washington State Archives for assistance locating very old dissolution records.