Pacific County Family Court Records

Pacific County family court records are kept at the Superior Court in South Bend, housed in the historic Pacific County Courthouse at 300 Memorial Drive. The court serves both Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties under one elected Superior Court Judge. County Clerk Emma Rose maintains all case files and processes records requests. The court handles dissolution, custody, parenting plans, child support, adoption, guardianship, and protection orders. To access records, contact the Clerk directly by phone, email, or in person during office hours. Family court filings are public unless sealed by order of the court.

Pacific County Superior Court and County Clerk

Judge Donald J. Richter is the elected Superior Court Judge serving both Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties. County Clerk Emma Rose manages the Pacific County Clerk's office, which keeps all court records and processes copy requests. The official court and clerk website at pacificcountysuperiorcourt.com serves as the main portal for court information, forms, and administrative resources for both counties.

The physical address is 300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586. The mailing address is PO Box 67, South Bend, WA 98586. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Contact the Clerk at clerk@co.pacific.wa.us or call (360) 875-9320. For court administration matters, email courtadmin@co.pacific.wa.us or call (360) 875-9328.

The screenshot below shows the Pacific County Superior Court and County Clerk homepage, which identifies the elected judge and clerk and links to court services.

The homepage gives you direct access to the court's contact page, court facilitator program, resource links, and appeal and recording services.

Contacting the Pacific County Clerk for Records

The best way to get Pacific County family court records is to call or email the Clerk's office. You can reach Clerk Emma Rose at (360) 875-9320 or at clerk@co.pacific.wa.us. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you plan to visit in person, go to 300 Memorial Drive in South Bend during those hours. For court administrative questions or hearing scheduling, contact court administration at (360) 875-9328.

The screenshot below shows the Pacific County contact page with the clerk's email, phone, and office hours.

The contact page also notes that all information on the official Pacific County website is provided for reference purposes only, and requesters should verify details directly with court staff before acting on them.

Family court cases in Pacific County are governed by RCW Chapter 26.09 for dissolution, RCW Chapter 26.12 for family court proceedings, and RCW Chapter 26.33 for adoption. Washington is a no-fault state. Dissolution requires only a showing that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Either party can file, and a mandatory 90-day waiting period applies after service of the petition.

Pacific County Court Facilitator Program

Pacific County's Court Facilitator Program helps people who are representing themselves in family law, adult guardianship, and minor guardianship cases. The facilitator is not an attorney and does not give legal advice, but they can provide a lot of practical help. Services include explaining basic court procedures and logistics, helping with form selection and completion, assisting with calculating child support, explaining legal terms, helping prepare court orders under the court's direction, and giving referrals to legal and social service resources.

Appointments are required. You must pay the session fee directly to the Clerk before scheduling with the facilitator. The fee is $20.00 for a half-hour session and $40.00 for a one-hour session. To schedule, contact the facilitator at (360) 875-9328 ext. 3 or email tamundson@co.pacific.wa.us. A GR 27 Disclaimer Form is available for download on the facilitator's webpage at pacificcountysuperiorcourt.com/court-facilitator.

The screenshot below shows the Pacific County Court Facilitator Program page, which outlines services, fees, and how to book an appointment.

The facilitator page is a good first stop if you are handling a family law case on your own and need help getting started with forms and court procedures.

Pacific County South District Court

Pacific County South District Court handles traffic matters, criminal misdemeanors, civil cases, small claims, and protection orders for the southern portion of Pacific County. The District Court is located at the Pacific County Courthouse. The phone number is 360-642-9417 and the email is sdclerks@co.pacific.wa.us. District Court is separate from Superior Court and handles different types of cases. Dissolution and custody matters are handled only by Superior Court.

The South District Court accepts online citation payments. You will receive a confirmation number after payment is authorized. A convenience fee is charged by NCourt for online payment. Forms available from the District Court include petitions for protection, small claims forms, and court records request forms.

The screenshot below shows the Pacific County South District Court page with payment options, forms, and staff information.

The District Court page notes that the Pacific County Courthouse where both courts are located is a National Historic Site, which is worth knowing if you plan to visit in person.

Legal Help for Pacific County Residents

Free family law guides are available at washingtonlawhelp.org, covering divorce, custody, parenting plans, child support, protection orders, guardianship, and adoption. Resources are available in multiple languages. Court forms are free to download at courts.wa.gov/forms. All forms must be printed single-sided per GR 14.

For certified divorce certificates rather than full court records, the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov has records from 1968 to the present for $25 per copy. Historical records before 1968 may be at the county level or at the Washington State Digital Archives.

If you need an attorney, the Washington State Bar Association's referral service is at (206) 443-9722. Their directory is at wsba.org.

Cities in Pacific County

Pacific County's main communities include South Bend (the county seat), Raymond, Long Beach, and Ilwaco. All family court cases for Pacific County residents are filed at the Superior Court in South Bend. No cities in Pacific County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pacific County. File your family court case in the county where you or your spouse resides.