Garfield County Family Court Records
Garfield County family court records are maintained by the Superior Court in Pomeroy. Garfield County is part of the 12th Judicial District, which it shares with Asotin and Columbia counties. The clerk's office handles all family law filings for the county, including dissolution cases, parenting plans, child custody and support records, protection orders, guardianship files, and adoption documents. You can search case information online through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal or visit the courthouse in Pomeroy to get copies. If you need to look up a family court case or get a certified document, start with the Garfield County Superior Court or the Odyssey Portal online.
Garfield County Overview
Garfield County Superior Court
Garfield County is one of the smallest counties in Washington by population. Its Superior Court is part of the 12th Judicial District, shared with Asotin and Columbia counties. Judges rotate among the three counties as needed. The Superior Court clerk in Pomeroy handles all family court filings and stores the official records. This includes dissolution cases, legal separations, parenting plans, custody orders, child support records, and protection orders.
The official Superior Court page at garfieldcountywa.gov/superiorcourt has information on the court structure and contacts. The page reflects the shared judicial district arrangement with Asotin and Columbia counties. Because Garfield County is very small, court staff and services may be more limited than in larger counties. Call ahead before making the trip to Pomeroy. Written and mailed records requests are also accepted.
| Office | Garfield County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
Garfield County Courthouse 789 Main Street Pomeroy, WA 99347 |
| Phone | (509) 843-3731 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | garfieldcountywa.gov/superiorcourt |
The screenshot below shows the Garfield County Superior Court page, which includes information on the 12th Judicial District structure and how to access court records.
The Garfield County Superior Court page explains the shared 12th Judicial District structure and provides key contact information for accessing family court records in Pomeroy.
Search Garfield County Family Court Records Online
The Washington Courts central case search at dw.courts.wa.gov is the starting point for searching Garfield County family court records online. It connects to the Odyssey Portal and lets you search by party name or case number. Results display docket entries, party names, hearing dates, and case status for non-restricted cases.
The screenshot below shows the Washington Courts central search engine for finding Garfield County family court case records.
The central search at dw.courts.wa.gov routes you to Garfield County family court records through the Odyssey Portal system.
The Odyssey Portal provides direct access to Garfield County Superior Court cases. Use the Party Name Search with Smart Search for the best results. When searching by case number, leave out any hyphens. Non-confidential dockets and schedules appear in the portal. Sealed records, minor-related cases, and certain domestic violence files may be restricted or not visible. For full case files and certified copies, contact the Garfield County Superior Court clerk.
The screenshot below shows the Odyssey Portal for searching Garfield County Superior Court family court case filings and dockets.
Use the Odyssey Portal to search Garfield County Superior Court family court case dockets and filing information directly online.
Garfield County Family Court Filing Process
All family law cases in Garfield County are filed with the Superior Court in Pomeroy. Dissolution, legal separation, custody, child support, parenting plan modifications, adoptions, and minor guardianships all go through this court. The primary dissolution statute is RCW Chapter 26.09. It covers filing requirements, the mandatory waiting period, mediation requirements, property division, child support calculations, parenting plans, and relocation procedures.
To file a dissolution in Garfield County, at least one party must be a Washington State resident or a military member stationed in Washington. No minimum county residency period applies. Washington is a no-fault state. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not have to prove any wrongdoing by either spouse. The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution and Summons with the clerk. The other party must be properly served. If both spouses agree on all issues, they can file an agreed final order once the 90-day waiting period has passed.
The mandatory 90-day waiting period begins when the petition is filed and the other party is served. It cannot be shortened. For contested cases, hearings and mediation may be required. Under RCW Chapter 26.09, mediation is often required before a trial in family court cases. Domestic violence cases may be exempt from mediation requirements. Temporary orders for support, custody, or property can be entered while the case is pending.
Family court jurisdiction and structure are governed by RCW Chapter 26.12. This statute sets out the rules for family court judges and commissioners in Washington Superior Courts, guardian ad litem appointments, parenting seminar requirements, the courthouse facilitator program, and the address confidentiality program. Garfield County courts apply all of these statewide rules. Cases involving child abuse or neglect allegations may also be subject to RCW Chapter 26.44, which governs duties to report suspected abuse, records maintenance and disclosure, and the appointment of guardians ad litem in child protection matters.
Note: Garfield County is Washington's least populous county. Court resources are shared across the 12th Judicial District. Scheduling and processing times may differ from larger counties. Contact the courthouse directly if you have questions about your case timeline.
Garfield County Family Court Record Contents
Family court records at the Garfield County Clerk's office include all documents filed with the Superior Court in a given case. For dissolution cases, this typically means the Petition for Dissolution, the Summons, temporary orders, financial declarations from both parties, a parenting plan and child support order if minor children are involved, and the final Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the official court order ending the marriage. It sets out all terms on property, debt, custody, and support that the parties agreed to or the court ordered.
The clerk also holds records for legal separations, custody modification cases, domestic violence protection orders, child support enforcement filings, minor guardianship records, and adoption files. Most of these are public records. Adoption records are sealed under RCW Chapter 26.33 and are not available to the public. Certain domestic violence records may have access restrictions to protect the safety of parties involved. For restricted records, you may need to show a direct legal interest to obtain access.
Key details typically found in a Garfield County dissolution record:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of marriage and separation
- Date the petition was filed and served
- Division of community property and debts
- Parenting plan and residential schedule for children
- Child support amounts and payment terms
- Date the final decree was signed and entered
Garfield County Divorce Certificates and Older Records
The Washington State Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for cases from 1968 to the present. Each copy costs $25. No proof of identity or relationship is required. To order, provide both parties' names, the approximate year of the decree, and the county. Orders can be placed online through the DOH vital records page. VitalChek offers expedited service. Mail orders take 6 to 8 weeks. The state certificate confirms a divorce occurred. It does not include the full decree or other case documents. To get those, contact the Garfield County Superior Court clerk.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State DOH portal for ordering Garfield County certified divorce records.
Use the DOH vital records portal to order a certified divorce certificate for cases filed in Garfield County from 1968 forward.
For pre-1968 family court records, the Garfield County clerk holds older paper files. The Washington State Digital Archives also holds historical court records and vital records from Garfield County, including pre-1968 materials and territorial court files. You can search the archives by record series or keyword. This is the main resource for older family court research or genealogical inquiries involving Garfield County cases.
Forms and Legal Help for Garfield County
All official family law forms are available at no cost on the Washington Courts forms page. Forms cover dissolution, legal separation, child custody, parenting plans, child support, domestic violence protection orders, guardianships, and adoptions. The Guide & File interactive tool walks you through completing forms with prompts at each step. Translated forms in multiple languages are available. Local Garfield County court rules may call for additional forms or local cover sheets, so confirm with the clerk before submitting your filing package.
Washington Law Help provides free self-help guides for all major family law topics, including divorce, custody, child support, protection orders, and parenting plan modifications. The site serves all Washington residents and is available in multiple languages. For Garfield County residents without access to local attorneys, Washington Law Help and the courthouse facilitator program are key resources.
For legal representation, the Washington State Bar Association's referral line can connect you with an attorney. Legal aid organizations like the Northwest Justice Project provide free services to income-qualified residents statewide, including those in Garfield County. The subscription-based JIS-Link service is available to legal professionals who need display-only access to Washington court records, including those from Garfield County. It charges $0.145 per transaction with a $13 monthly minimum.
Cities in Garfield County
Garfield County's county seat is Pomeroy. No cities in Garfield County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All family court filings for the county go through the Garfield County Superior Court in Pomeroy.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Garfield County. If you are unsure which county handles your case, check your residential address. File in the county where you live.