How to get Washington divorce records
In Washington, order a certified divorce record from the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics.1 Divorce decrees come from the county superior court clerk; DOH issues only the one-page divorce certificate (certificate of dissolution).2 Each certified copy costs $253. You can order online, by mail, at a local office or by phone. Anyone may order a certified copy. The fastest published option is online: 3 to 7 business days4.
On this page
Ways to order
| How | Cost per copy | Processing time | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online through VitalChek | $40.504 for one copy ($254 certificate fee, $8.504 VitalChek fee and $74 DOH processing fee) | 3 to 7 business days4 | Card4 |
| By mail | $253 + one extra charge | – | Check and money order3 |
| At a local office | See the details below | – | – |
| By phone | $40.504 for one copy ($254 certificate fee, $8.504 VitalChek fee and $74 DOH processing fee) | 3 to 7 business days4 | Card4 |
Not offered: online directly with the vital records office and in person.56
Online through VitalChek
- Vendor
- VitalChek5
- Vendor status
- The state's only authorized vendor1
- Processing time
- 3 to 7 business days4
- Payment
- Card4
Good to know
- Marriage/divorce certificates are not available until 3 months after the event is finalized with the county; DOH's page says it can take up to 5 months for the record to reach DOH.3
By mail
At a local office
- Run by
- Clerk of the superior court of the county where the divorce was finalized2
Good to know
- The county clerk cannot issue a divorce certificate.2
By phone
What Washington divorce records cost
- First certified copy
- $253
- Each additional copy, same order
- $253
- Expedite fee
- $78
- If no record is found
- The fee is kept as a search fee3
- Fees in effect since
- Law: 2019 c 148 (chapter 70.58A RCW); Effective: Jan. 1, 20219
Types of copies
| Copy | Accepted for | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (certificate of dissolution)2 | One-page certified document stating two parties were divorced on a specific date.2 | $253 |
| Not available10 | – | – |
No-fee copies
- Veterans Administration claim: no fee for a vital record used for a claim for compensation or pension pending before the VA (official VA documentation required).11
How long it takes
These are the office's own published times. They do not include shipping. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.
| How you order | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Online through VitalChek | 3 to 7 business days4 |
| By phone | 3 to 7 business days4 |
Who can order Washington divorce records
Anyone may order a certified copy.2
- Records open to the public after
- 25 years9
ID you need
What the application asks for
Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.2
- First and last name of one of the persons on the record
- Approximate date the event occurred (month, day, year)
- County where the court finalized the divorce
Decree or certificate
The decree, the court's judgment with the terms of the divorce, comes from the clerk of the court that granted it. Washington also keeps a state record of divorces at its vital records office2; it shows that the divorce happened, not its terms. Divorce certificate vs decree explains which one an agency usually wants.
Forms
- Marriage / Divorce Certificate Mail Order Form (DOH 422-104) revision November 20253
Years held and older records
- Years the issuing office holds
- January 1, 1968 to today2
- Older records
- Before January 1, 1968, and all divorce decrees: county superior court clerk where the divorce was finalized.2
Special situations
- If no record is found
- Recent divorces: it may take up to 5 months for the county clerk to send the record to DOH.2
Warnings from the office
- VitalChek is DOH's only contracted vendor; other third-party sites charge high fees. Complaints: WA Attorney General Consumer Protection, 206-464-6684.1
The state office
- Office
- Center for Health Statistics1
- Phone
- 360-236-43001
- [email protected]1
- Mailing address
- Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health, PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 985071
- Walk-in address
- Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics Town Center 2, 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 985011
- Hours
- Phone: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.1
- Appointments
- Required6
- Website
- Official website1
Questions people ask
How much is a certified Washington divorce record?
Each certified copy costs $25.3
How long does it take to get Washington divorce records?
Online through VitalChek: 3 to 7 business days. By phone: 3 to 7 business days.4
Can I order Washington divorce records online?
Yes. Online through VitalChek.5
Who do I make the check or money order payable to?
Write it exactly as the office prints it: DOH.3
Where are older Washington divorce records kept?
Before January 1, 1968, and all divorce decrees: county superior court clerk where the divorce was finalized.2
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.
- Vital Records | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Ordering a Marriage or Divorce Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Marriage and Divorce Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-104, November 2025)Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated November 1, 2025
- Ordering a Vital Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Certificates and Informational Copies FAQ | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Schedule An Appointment for Vital Records | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Apostilles Services & Information - Resource PageWashington Secretary of State
- Chapter 246-491 WAC Vital statistics - Certificates (full text)Washington State Legislature (Office of the Code Reviser)
- Chapter 70.58A RCW Vital Statistics (full text)Washington State Legislature
- Birth/Death Informational Copies Order Form (DOH 422-185, November 2025)Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated November 1, 2025
- Vital Records No Fee in Specific Circumstances | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics