Divorce records in Yakima County, Washington, are available through several channels — online tools, the court that issued the decision, the county clerk's office, and the state department of vital records. YakimaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce records. Additionally, you can contact the Yakima County Superior Court, Clerk of Superior Court, or the Washington State Department of Health for certified copies or divorce certificates.
Yakima Divorce Records Search
In Washington state, divorce is officially called "dissolution of marriage." Divorce cases in Yakima County are handled by the Yakima County Superior Court. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains complete court records: decree of dissolution, property division agreements, child custody orders, and all related documents filed during the case.
Separate from court records, the state Department of Health maintains divorce certificates — brief documents confirming the fact of marriage dissolution. These certificates can be ordered at the state level.
Basic case information — number, filing date, party names — can be checked through the Washington Courts case search system. Copies of documents from the case file are not provided through this portal — they must be ordered directly from the court.
Yakima County Clerk of Superior Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Yakima
The structure for storing divorce records depends on the specific document you need — a complete court decision or a brief certificate.
Superior Court — Case Records
All marriage dissolution cases in Yakima County go through the Superior Court. After the decision is issued, the decree of dissolution remains in the case file, which is kept by the Clerk of Superior Court. This is where you should go if you need a copy of the court decision, property division agreement, or custody order. The Yakima County — Divorce page contains general information about the procedure.
Washington State Department of Health — Divorce Certificates
The Department of Health issues divorce certificates — documents that confirm the fact of divorce without details of property agreements. If you need a certificate to confirm marital status, contact the Vital Records department. For recent records (from 2023), the Department of Health recommends first contacting the county court where the divorce was filed.
Which Agency to Choose?
- Full text of court decision, agreements, custody orders — Clerk of Superior Court, Yakima County
- Divorce certificate to confirm status — Department of Health or the same Clerk if the divorce was recent
- Basic search by name or case number — Washington State Courts online search
Note: Some divorce case materials may be restricted if the court has sealed certain documents — for example, financial declarations or information related to minor children.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Yakima
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (Department of Health) | $25.00 | Up to 6 weeks by mail |
| Copy of court document (Clerk of Superior Court) | Depends on the number of pages; inquire at 509-574-1430 | Usually 1–5 business days |
| Name search via Washington Courts online portal | Free | Instant |