Were you served, or are you filing, in Washington? Learn the wait and the residency rule.
Washington Divorce: Waiting Period, Residency Rule, Timeline
Washington in short
Washington's waiting period: 90 days. (app.leg.wa.gov) Washington's residency rule: petitioner a Washington resident, or stationed there in the armed forces, or married to such a person; no minimum period (RCW 26.09.030). (app.leg.wa.gov) Washington is a community property state. (irs.gov) Washington's alimony rule: no; discretionary, misconduct not considered (RCW 26.09.090). (recordinglaw.com)
Checked October 14, 2026
The estimator below is preset to Washington and free to use. Answer its questions to see your fee and waiting period.
Jump to the estimatorWashington divorce estimator
Uncontested divorce in Washington
- Court filing fee
$290 to $310 is listed for Washington (needs court check): not yet confirmed against a current court fee schedule.
How this was read
Varies by county: the clerk where the case is filed sets the exact amount.
Marked for a court check: this figure still needs to be confirmed against a current court fee schedule.
Source note: varies by county; statute-built: $200 first-document fee (RCW 36.18.020(2)(a)) plus $40 surcharge ((5)(c)) and $50 surcharge ((6)) = $290 statewide, plus a county courthouse facilitator surcharge of up to $20 on Title 26 cases (RCW 26.12.240); FindLaw and county clerks are cited at about $314, which may include other local charges.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov
- Fee waiver
A fee waiver path is recorded for Washington: waiver for indigent status; GR 34.
Source: national chart
- Residency before filing
Petitioner a Washington resident, or stationed there in the armed forces, or married to such a person; no minimum period (RCW 26.09.030).
Source: app.leg.wa.gov
- Waiting period
The waiting period in Washington is 90 days.
How this was read
Decree only after 90 days have elapsed since the petition was filed and since the respondent was served or summons first published (RCW 26.09.030).
Source: app.leg.wa.gov
- Mediation
Mediation rule recorded for Washington: court may set contested issues for mediation.
How this was read
In any dissolution proceeding the matter may be set for mediation of the contested issues before or with the hearing (RCW 26.09.015(1)).
Source: app.leg.wa.gov
Washington divorce rules at a glance
| Rule | Washington | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $290 to $310 (needs court check) | app.leg.wa.gov |
| Separation required | No | national chart |
| Residency | Petitioner a Washington resident, or stationed there in the armed forces, or married to such a person; no minimum period (RCW 26.09.030) | app.leg.wa.gov |
| Property regime | Community property | irs.gov |
| Waiting period | 90 days | app.leg.wa.gov |
| Child support model | Income shares | ncsl.org |
| Alimony rule | No; discretionary, misconduct not considered (RCW 26.09.090) | recordinglaw.com |
| Fee waiver | Yes (waiver for indigent status; GR 34) | national chart |
| Parenting class | Varies by county (local court rules may require parenting seminars) | app.leg.wa.gov |
| Mediation | Court may set contested issues for mediation | app.leg.wa.gov |
Checked October 14, 2026.
Washington in detail
Washington's residency rule reads: petitioner a Washington resident, or stationed there in the armed forces, or married to such a person; no minimum period (RCW 26.09.030). (app.leg.wa.gov) Washington's waiting period (90 days): decree only after 90 days have elapsed since the petition was filed and since the respondent was served or summons first published (RCW 26.09.030). (app.leg.wa.gov) On separation: FindLaw state table shows no separation requirement; the ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. (no link recorded) Washington's filing fee ($290 to $310 (needs court check)): varies by county; statute-built: $200 first-document fee (RCW 36.18.020(2)(a)) plus $40 surcharge ((5)(c)) and $50 surcharge ((6)) = $290 statewide, plus a county courthouse facilitator surcharge of up to $20 on Title 26 cases (RCW 26.12.240); FindLaw and county clerks are cited at about $314, which may include other local charges. (app.leg.wa.gov) Washington's parenting class rule: varies by county (local court rules may require parenting seminars). (app.leg.wa.gov) Washington's mediation rule: court may set contested issues for mediation; in any dissolution proceeding the matter may be set for mediation of the contested issues before or with the hearing (RCW 26.09.015(1)). (app.leg.wa.gov) Washington's alimony rule: no; discretionary, misconduct not considered (RCW 26.09.090). (recordinglaw.com)
Steps and minimum times in Washington
- Before filing, residency. Petitioner a Washington resident, or stationed there in the armed forces, or married to such a person; no minimum period (RCW 26.09.030). (app.leg.wa.gov)
- Filing. Washington court fee $290 to $310 (needs court check). (app.leg.wa.gov)
- Earliest possible decree. 90 days in Washington: decree only after 90 days have elapsed since the petition was filed and since the respondent was served or summons first published (RCW 26.09.030). (app.leg.wa.gov)
What filing costs in Washington
- Court filing fee: $290 to $310 (needs court check) (app.leg.wa.gov)
- Fee waiver: Yes (waiver for indigent status; GR 34) (national chart)
Official sources for Washington
Questions about Washington
How much is Washington's divorce filing fee?
$290 to $310 (needs court check). Fee waiver: yes (waiver for indigent status; GR 34). (app.leg.wa.gov)
How long is Washington's waiting period for divorce?
90 days. Decree only after 90 days have elapsed since the petition was filed and since the respondent was served or summons first published (RCW 26.09.030). (app.leg.wa.gov)
What is Washington's residency rule for divorce?
Petitioner a Washington resident, or stationed there in the armed forces, or married to such a person; no minimum period (RCW 26.09.030). (app.leg.wa.gov)
Does Washington have an alimony formula?
No; discretionary, misconduct not considered (RCW 26.09.090). (recordinglaw.com)
Does Washington require mediation?
Court may set contested issues for mediation. (app.leg.wa.gov)
How this page is built
Each rule here is one cell of the 51-row divorce dataset behind the national chart, with its source. Unrecorded cells are left out. Lawyers' fees are not sourced or counted. General information, not legal advice.