Divorce records in Chelan County, Washington, are available through several channels. ChelanCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Chelan County. You can also access records through the Chelan County Superior Court, the Chelan County Auditor's office, and the Washington State Department of Health's vital records division. Whether you need a certified divorce certificate or copies of court filings, the right office depends on the type of document you're looking for.
Chelan County Divorce Records Search
Chelan County Superior Court is the primary custodian of divorce case files. In Washington, divorce is formally called "dissolution of marriage," and all dissolution cases are handled at the superior court level. The Chelan County Superior Court Clerk maintains the official case records, which may include:
- Petitions for dissolution
- Decrees of dissolution (final divorce orders)
- Settlement agreements and property division orders
- Parenting plans and custody orders
- Modifications filed after the original decree
The Washington State Department of Health separately maintains divorce certificates — shorter documents that confirm a dissolution occurred, listing names, date, county, and case number. These certificates are available for dissolutions that took place from January 1968 forward.
You can look up basic case information through the Washington State Courts name and case search tool, though copies of actual documents must be requested directly from the court. Historical Chelan County Superior Court case files, including divorce records, are also indexed through the Washington State Digital Archives.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Chelan County
In Washington, all divorce (dissolution) cases are filed in and decided by the superior court. Chelan County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over dissolutions, legal separations, and declarations of invalidity of marriage filed in the county.
After a judge signs the final decree of dissolution, the court clerk retains the complete case file. The court also transmits a Certificate of Dissolution (DOH form 422-027) to the Washington State Department of Health, which records it in the statewide vital records system.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
For court case documents
Contact the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk for copies of the petition, decree, parenting plan, settlement agreement, or any other filing in the case.
For a divorce certificate (vital record)
Contact the Washington State Department of Health if you need a certified certificate of dissolution. Certificates are available for events recorded from 1968 to the present.
For older or historical records
Chelan County court records predating current electronic systems may be available through the Washington State Digital Archives. The Chelan County Auditor's office also recorded certain related documents; some historical records are indexed through the Chelan County public records portal.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Chelan County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court record copy (per page, non-certified) | $0.50 | Same day to several business days |
| Superior Court certified copy | $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page | Same day to several business days |
| DOH divorce certificate (standard mail) | $25.00 | Approximately 4–6 weeks |
| DOH divorce certificate (expedited processing) | $25.00 plus additional shipping fees | Approximately 5–7 business days |