Franklin County Family Court Records
Franklin County family court records are kept by the County Clerk, who also serves as the ex-officio Clerk of Superior Court in Pasco. The clerk's office maintains all family law filings for the county, including dissolution cases, parenting plan orders, child custody and support records, protection orders, and adoption files. You can search case information online through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal or go to the courthouse in Pasco to request copies in person. Franklin County is part of the Tri-Cities area and serves a growing population in southeastern Washington. If you need a family court case or a certified document, the Franklin County Superior Court Clerk is the right place to start.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Superior Court Clerk
The Franklin County Clerk serves as the ex-officio Clerk of Superior Court. This means the elected county clerk holds the statutory position of court clerk and manages all Superior Court records and filings. The clerk's office in Pasco stores family court records from the start of a case through final judgment and archiving. This includes dissolution petitions and decrees, parenting plans, child support orders, custody modification filings, protection orders, guardianship files, and adoption documents.
The clerk's office page at franklincountywa.gov/177/Clerk has contact information and details on how to request records. You can request copies in person or by mail. Name searches and case number lookups are both available. If you need a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution for legal purposes such as a name change or remarriage, the clerk can provide those during office hours. Fees apply for copies.
| Office | Franklin County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Franklin County Courthouse 1016 N 4th Avenue Pasco, WA 99301 |
| Phone | (509) 545-3535 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | franklincountywa.gov/177/Clerk |
The screenshot below shows the Franklin County Clerk homepage on the official county website, which includes contact details and records request instructions.
The Franklin County Clerk's homepage is the main reference for contact details and records request procedures for family court cases in the county.
How to Search Franklin County Family Court Records
Use dw.courts.wa.gov to start an online search. The Washington Courts central case search connects to the Odyssey Portal and lets you search Franklin County Superior Court records by party name or case number. The results show docket entries, party names, hearing dates, and case status for non-sealed cases.
The screenshot below shows the Washington Courts central search engine that directs users to Franklin County family court records through the Odyssey Portal.
Start at dw.courts.wa.gov when looking up Franklin County family court case information online. It links directly to the Odyssey Portal for Superior Court records.
The Odyssey Portal is the direct online database for Franklin County Superior Court cases. Use the Party Name Search with Smart Search enabled. If searching by case number, omit hyphens. The portal shows non-confidential dockets and schedules. Cases involving sealed records, minors, or domestic violence may be restricted. For complete case documents or certified copies, contact the Franklin County Clerk directly.
The screenshot below shows the Odyssey Portal interface for searching Franklin County Superior Court family court cases and dockets.
The Odyssey Portal is the primary online source for Franklin County family court case data, docket entries, and hearing schedules.
For broader access, the JIS-Link subscription service provides display-only records from district, municipal, and superior courts statewide. It costs $0.145 per transaction with a $13 monthly minimum. Criminal history records are maintained separately by the Washington State Patrol. Contact the clerk for any records you cannot locate through the online tools.
Filing Family Court Cases in Franklin County
Franklin County Superior Court handles all family law matters for the county. This includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and support, parenting plan modifications, adoptions, and minor guardianships. The main statute governing dissolution cases is RCW Chapter 26.09. This chapter covers filing requirements, residency rules, mandatory forms, mediation procedures, property division, child support, parenting plans, and relocation notices.
To file a dissolution in Franklin County, at least one party must be a Washington State resident or a member of the armed forces stationed here. No minimum residency time in the county itself is required. Washington is a pure no-fault state; the only basis for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither spouse needs to allege or prove fault. The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution and Summons with the clerk. The other party must be served, or both can file jointly. If they agree on all terms, they can submit an agreed decree after the required waiting period. Contested cases may involve temporary orders, mediation hearings, and trial.
Washington requires a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed and served before a dissolution can be finalized. This waiting period cannot be waived. RCW Chapter 26.09 also sets out special mediation rules for domestic violence cases. When domestic violence is alleged, mediation may be waived because it is not appropriate in all situations. Temporary maintenance and child support can be ordered while a case is pending.
Family court proceedings are also governed by RCW Chapter 26.12, which establishes family court structure and jurisdiction in Washington Superior Courts. This chapter covers the appointment of guardians ad litem in custody and dependency cases, parenting seminar requirements for cases involving children, court commissioner duties, and the address confidentiality program for domestic violence survivors. Franklin County courts follow all of these statewide rules.
Note: Franklin County is a growing county in the Tri-Cities area. Court filings and wait times may reflect a busier docket than smaller counties. Check with the clerk on current processing times.
Franklin County Family Court Record Contents
A family court file in Franklin County contains all documents filed with the Superior Court over the life of a case. For dissolution cases, you can expect to find the Petition for Dissolution, the Summons, any temporary orders entered during the case, financial declarations from each party, a settlement agreement if one was reached, a parenting plan and child support order if the couple has minor children, and the final Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the court order that officially ends the marriage and sets out all terms for property, debt, custody, and support.
The clerk's office also maintains records for legal separations, custody modifications, child support enforcement cases, domestic violence protection orders, minor guardianship files, and adoption records. Adoption records are sealed under RCW Chapter 26.33 and are not available to the public. Most other family court records are accessible by anyone who makes a proper request at the clerk's office.
Key information found in a Franklin County dissolution record:
- Full names of both parties and marriage date
- Date the petition was filed and served
- Division of community property and debts
- Parenting plan and child residential schedule
- Child support amount and terms
- Spousal maintenance if any was ordered
- Date the final decree was entered
Divorce Certificates and Historical Franklin County Records
The Washington State Department of Health provides certified divorce certificates for cases filed in the county from 1968 forward. These are one-page official documents confirming the divorce. The fee is $25 per copy. Anyone can order one; no identity verification or relationship proof is required. Orders are placed through the DOH vital records ordering page. Mail processing takes 6 to 8 weeks. VitalChek offers faster expedited service. The state certificate confirms the divorce took place; full case documents must be obtained from the Franklin County Clerk.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State DOH portal for ordering certified Franklin County divorce certificates.
Order a certified Franklin County divorce certificate online through the DOH vital records portal for cases from 1968 to the present.
For older records predating 1968, contact the Franklin County Clerk or search the Washington State Digital Archives. The archives hold historical court and vital records from across the state, including pre-1968 materials and territorial court files. The system is searchable by record series and keyword, making it useful for genealogy research or locating older family court cases from Franklin County.
Legal Resources for Franklin County Family Court
Official family law forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. The site covers dissolution, custody, child support, parenting plans, protection orders, guardianships, and adoptions. The Guide & File interactive tool helps you complete forms with step-by-step prompts. Translated forms in multiple languages are available. Local Franklin County court rules may require additional forms or local cover sheets. Check with the clerk before submitting your paperwork to make sure you have everything needed.
Washington Law Help provides free self-help guides on all areas of family law. Topics include how to file for dissolution, what parenting plans must contain, how child support is calculated, what protection orders cover, and how to modify existing orders. The site is available in multiple languages and serves all Washington counties including Franklin County. The courthouse facilitator program provides limited free help with forms at the courthouse for people handling their own cases.
For legal representation, contact the Washington State Bar Association for a referral to local attorneys. The Northwest Justice Project and other legal aid groups provide free services to qualifying low-income residents in family court matters. These organizations can help with dissolution, custody disputes, and protection orders. Resources vary by county, so contact them directly to learn what is available in Franklin County and the Tri-Cities area.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County includes several communities. All family court filings for the county go through the Franklin County Superior Court in Pasco.
Other communities in Franklin County include Connell, Mesa, and Kahlotus. All family court matters for Franklin County are handled at the Superior Court in Pasco.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Franklin County. File in the county where you reside. Confirm your county of residence before submitting any court filings.