Washington Divorce Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes divorce Indexes from the Washington State Archives for the years 1969-2014. The records are arranged by year and then in boxed files, alphabetically by name.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Names of interested parties
 * Divorce date
 * County and State of divorce place
 * Number of children under age 18

Collection Content
Sample image of an indexed record:

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * The location or date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

Remember to:
 * Whenever possible, look at the original record. If often has more information than the indexed record
 * Print or download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the names and locations to find other county records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records
 * These records will probably show the number of minor children. Search for birth records of children in the area
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in the census records
 * If your further research leads you to a marriage record, witnesses were often family members
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching nearby locations
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle name

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Washington.
 * Washington Guided Research
 * Washington Record Finder
 * Washington Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1907 &#124; 1907-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Washington, County Divorce Records, 1852-1950
 * Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014
 * Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008
 * Washington, Pierce County Marriage Returns, 1891-1938

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Washington Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration. Guide to public vital statistics records in Washington. Seattle, Washington :, 1941

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.