Wenatchee Family Court Records Lookup
Wenatchee family court records are held at Chelan County Superior Court, which is located in Wenatchee since the city is the Chelan County seat. Dissolution, custody, child support, parenting plans, legal separation, and protection order cases for Wenatchee residents are all filed and maintained here by the Chelan County Clerk. This page covers how to search those records online, how the filing process works in Chelan County, what fees apply, where to get certified copies, and legal help options for Wenatchee residents.
Wenatchee Overview
Where Wenatchee Family Court Cases Are Filed
Wenatchee is the Chelan County seat. The courthouse is in the city, so residents do not need to travel elsewhere to file or retrieve records. Chelan County Superior Court handles all family law matters for Wenatchee and the rest of Chelan County.
Chelan County covers a large area of north-central Washington, stretching from the Cascade crest east to the Columbia River. Communities like Leavenworth, Chelan, and East Wenatchee (in Douglas County) are nearby, but Wenatchee residents use the Chelan County courthouse in their own city.
| Office | Chelan County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Chelan County Courthouse 350 Orondo Ave Wenatchee, WA 98801 |
| Phone | (509) 667-6380 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Parking is available near the courthouse on Orondo Avenue. Bring a photo ID when visiting. Staff at the Clerk's window can tell you about filing procedures, copy fees, and what documents are on file for a given case number, but they cannot give legal advice or help you decide what to file.
Note that East Wenatchee is a separate city in Douglas County. If a party has an East Wenatchee address, their family law case may be in Douglas County Superior Court rather than Chelan County. The two counties share a border along the Columbia River.
Searching Wenatchee Family Court Records Online
Chelan County Superior Court cases are searchable through the Washington Courts Odyssey portal. The system covers cases filed since Chelan County joined the Odyssey platform. Searches are free and open to the public. You search by party name or case number and get results showing case type, parties, docket entries, and hearing dates. Family law cases are included in the public index.
The screenshot below shows the Odyssey portal that Wenatchee residents use to find Chelan County Superior Court case records.
Go to odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov/odyportal to search. Confidential case types are not shown in the public view. If you need records that are not available online, contact the Chelan County Clerk at (509) 667-6380. The Clerk can tell you what copies are available and what they cost.
The Washington Courts central search at dw.courts.wa.gov also covers Chelan County. Use it when you need to search across multiple courts or are unsure which county holds a case.
Below is the central search engine that Wenatchee residents can use to look up cases across Washington courts.
High-volume users can subscribe to JIS-Link at courts.wa.gov/jislink for $0.145 per transaction. A $13 minimum monthly charge applies. Attorneys and researchers who need frequent multi-county access use this service most often.
Filing Family Court Cases in Chelan County
Wenatchee residents file family law cases under RCW Chapter 26.12, which governs family court jurisdiction in Washington. Dissolution proceedings specifically follow RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground needed is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is no need to show any fault by either party.
One spouse must be a Washington resident or an active-duty service member stationed in the state. You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the Chelan County Courthouse. The filing fee is approximately $314 for a standard dissolution. The other party must be served. Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period from the date of service before any dissolution decree can be finalized.
Cases that are fully agreed can be wrapped up after the 90-day period. If there are disputes, the court may refer parties to mediation. Chelan County Superior Court may require mediation for contested custody and property issues before setting a trial date.
Cases with children require a parenting plan. Chelan County typically requires both parents to attend an approved parenting seminar before the case closes. Child support is set by the Washington State Child Support Schedule using both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, and the residential time each parent has.
All forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. Packets cover dissolution, parenting plans, child support worksheets, temporary orders, and protection orders. The Guide and File interactive tool helps self-represented filers complete the forms correctly.
You can ask the Clerk for a fee waiver application if you cannot pay the filing fee. You qualify if you get public benefits such as food assistance or if your income is under 200% of the federal poverty level.
Certified Copies and State Vital Records
The Chelan County Clerk provides certified copies of dissolution decrees, parenting plans, and other court orders. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted for legal uses including name changes, estate matters, and property transfers. Plain copies cost less but are not certified.
Washington's Department of Health keeps statewide records of divorces and marriages going back to 1968. These records are separate from the full court file. They show party names, date, and the county where the decree was entered, but not the full case documents. The image below shows the state portal where Wenatchee residents can order certified marriage and divorce certificates.
Order at doh.wa.gov. Each copy costs $25. No ID is required to order. VitalChek expedited service is available for faster delivery. For older historical court records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds Superior Court materials from before electronic filing systems.
Types of Family Court Cases in Wenatchee
Chelan County Superior Court handles the full range of family law case types for Wenatchee residents. Knowing the right type helps when you search records or prepare to file.
Dissolution of marriage is the most common type. Legal separation is less common but available, and it keeps the marriage legally intact while dividing property and setting support. A declaration of invalidity handles marriages that were legally void from the start. All three begin with a similar filing process at the courthouse.
Parentage cases cover custody and child support for parents who were never married. The court can establish legal parentage, enter a parenting plan, and set child support in one proceeding. Modifications are filed when there is a significant change in circumstances after an existing order, such as a parent moving, a job change, or a child's needs shifting.
Protection orders are filed at no cost. Domestic violence protection orders can be filed on the same day you visit the courthouse. The court issues a temporary order and sets a full hearing within 14 days. Anti-harassment orders and sexual assault protection orders follow the same general process. No family relationship is required for anti-harassment orders.
Guardianship and dependency matters involving children are also handled in Superior Court. Dependency cases involve the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and follow a separate process from typical family law filings.
Legal Resources for Wenatchee Residents
Northwest Justice Project serves Chelan County and provides free legal help to low-income residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit washingtonlawhelp.org for guides on dissolution, custody, parenting plans, and protection orders. The site has multilingual resources. Spanish-speaking residents in the Wenatchee area will find many guides available in Spanish.
The Washington State Bar Association referral line is (206) 443-9722. Local attorneys in Wenatchee and the greater Chelan County area handle family law matters in Superior Court. The Chelan County Courthouse may have a self-help facilitator available. Contact the Clerk at (509) 667-6380 to ask about current services.
All court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. Use only official state forms. Unofficial form sites may provide outdated or incorrect versions that will be rejected by the court.
Chelan County Family Court Records
Wenatchee is in Chelan County. All family law cases go through Chelan County Superior Court.
Nearby Cities
Moses Lake and Yakima are nearby cities in central Washington, each served by their own county's Superior Court for family law filings.