Can I file for divorce in Washington County?
You can file for divorce in Washington County Circuit Court if you and your spouse got married in Oregon and one of you lives in Washington County.
If you and your spouse got married in a different state or country, then one of you must have been living in Oregon for at least 6 months before the filing date.
Example: You and your wife married in Washington in December 2024. You moved to Hillsboro in January 2025 after you and your husband separated.
You cannot file for divorce in Washington County because neither you nor your spouse has lived in Oregon for at least 6 months.
So long as you meet the other filing requirements, it does not matter how long how long you lived in the county. For example, if you moved to Washington County on January 23, 2024, you could file for divorce here on January 24.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Washington County?
The filing fee for divorce in Oregon is $301, regardless of which county you file.
How do I file for divorce in Washington County?
You start your divorce case by filing the following documents with the circuit court clerk's office:
- Summons
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Confidential Information Form (CIF)
Electronic Filing: In Oregon, you can file your divorce papers online through the Oregon Judicial Department e-filling system.
In-Person: Alternatively, you can physically file your documents at the Washington County Circuit Court. You may also hire a process server to file your documents.
Washington County Circuit Court has two (2) separate locations. You will file your documents at the Justice Services Building, which is located at 150 N. First Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
After you file for divorce, you then must serve your divorce papers on your spouse.
What happens after you file for divorce?
Once the court receives your divorce filing, it will assign a specific judge to your case.
At some point, your judge may schedule a status conference, which will occur in-person or remotely. The purpose of the conference is for the judge to learn more about the case, including the estimated length of trial, number of witnesses, whether an interpreter is necessary, and whether discovery is complete, among other issues.
Before trial, the court may also order the parties to participate in a settlement conference, during which you will attempt to settle the case before trial. If you want a judge to preside over your settlement conference, you must make a request no later than 60 days before trial.
How do I file and schedule a motion in Washington County?
To schedule a motion, you must contact your assigned judge's judicial assistant via email for available motions dates. In Washington County, motions are generally heard on Monday mornings (or Tuesday mornings if Monday is a holiday).
In addition to filing your motion with the clerk's office, you must also file a bench copy via email with the judge who will be hearing your motion.
How do I schedule a hearing on temporary family law orders?
Under Washington County's supplementary local rules (SLR), you must file a motion for a show-cause order, along with a supporting affidavit, with your assigned judge.
If the judge signs the show cause order, the court will specify a date, time, and courtroom for the other party to appear.
If you want the judge to review a written memorandum before the hearing, you must file with it no later than 12:00 pm the day before the hearing.
Child Support: If you are seeking temporary child support, you must file and serve on the other party a Uniform Support Declaration along with any other documents.
Can I appear for court remotely in Washington County?
You can only appear remotely in Washington County if you receive prior court approval. To do so, you must file a motion and a supporting declaration establishing good cause for remote appearance.
Exception: Family Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA) hearings (this Oregon's term for restraining order / protection order hearings). You do not need prior court approval.