Introduction to Washington Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Washington Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure.  

Washington Divorce certificates have been maintained by the Washington Center for Health Statistics for individuals divorced in the state of Washington since 1968.

Washington Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

By Washington state law, Washington Divorce certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Washington Divorce Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Washington Divorce Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Washington Divorce Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Washington Divorce Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Washington Divorce Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Washington Divorce Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Washington Divorce certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Washington Divorce Certificate

Washington Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a non-certified Washington Divorce Certificate, for genealogy or other reasons.

Washington Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Washington Divorce Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Washington Divorce Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Washington Divorce Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Washington Divorce Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Washington Divorce certificate online.  It usually takes 3-4 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Washington Divorce certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Washington Divorce certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Washington Divorce certificate
• Date of Divorce on the Washington Divorce certificate
• County (or city) of Divorce on the Washington Divorce certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Washington Divorce certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Washington Divorce certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Center for Health Statistics

Department of Health

PO Box 9709

Olympia WA 98507-9709

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Washington: You may go to any county health department in the State of Washington to obtain a certified copy of a Washington Divorce certificate. Most Washington Divorce certificates can be issued while you wait.

Washington Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Washington Divorce certificate is $20.00, which includes one certified copy of the Washington Divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Washington Divorce certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $20.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Washington Department of Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.