Divorce records in Benton County, Washington, can be accessed through several channels, including online search tools, the court that issued the decree, the county clerk, and the state vital records office. BentonWACourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Benton County. You can also request records directly from the Benton County Superior Court Clerk's office or order a divorce certificate through the Washington State Department of Health.
Benton County Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Benton County are maintained by two separate offices, each holding different types of documents:
- Benton County Superior Court Clerk — keeps the official court file, including the divorce decree, petition, settlement agreements, parenting plans, custody orders, property division orders, and all related filings.
- Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics — maintains divorce certificates, which are summary vital records confirming that a divorce occurred.
The Washington Courts Case Search allows you to look up case index information for Benton County Superior Court online. Results are updated within 24 hours but do not include copies of filed documents. To obtain actual documents, contact the clerk's office directly. You can also use the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search to search by party name.
Benton County Clerk — Superior Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Benton County
In Washington, divorce (dissolution of marriage) cases are filed in and handled by the Superior Court. Benton County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all divorce cases involving Benton County residents. After the judge signs the final decree of dissolution, the decree and all related orders remain on file with the Benton County Clerk's office at the Justice Center in Kennewick.
The court also maintains a secondary location:
Contact the clerk to confirm which location holds the file you need. The Washington State Court Directory for Benton County lists current addresses and contact information.
Which Office to Contact
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Copy of the divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody order, or other court filing | Benton County Superior Court Clerk's Office |
| Divorce certificate (vital record confirming the divorce) | Washington State Department of Health or the county court that processed the divorce |
| Online case index lookup | Washington Courts Case Search |
| Access to court documents through the Odyssey Portal | Odyssey Portal — contact the Benton County Clerk for elevated access |
| Historical or archived records | Washington State Digital Archives |
The Department of Health can issue divorce certificates for dissolutions that occurred in Washington. Eligibility restrictions apply — generally, certificates are available to the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, or qualified applicants under state law.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Benton County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court document (Benton County Clerk) | $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 each additional page | Same day to several business days if requested by mail |
| Divorce certificate (Washington Department of Health) | $25.00 | Approximately 2–6 weeks by mail |
| Online case index search (Washington Courts) | Free | Immediate |
| Expedited divorce certificate (Department of Health) | Additional fee applies | Faster processing; check DOH website for current options |