Center for Health Statistics

Divorce

The Washington State Divorce Certificate System gathers information about each dissolution, annulment, or legal separation that is finalized in Washington State. These certificates may come from any superior court or tribal court in the state. The clerk of the court forwards the divorce certificate to the Center upon finalization of the decree. The clerk of the court or the legal counsel for the person requesting the divorce can complete the information on the certificate. The filing of divorce certificates at the state level began in 1968.

The main purposes of the divorce system are 1) to provide a brief, legal record of the event; and 2) to collect information on population trends.