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Kootenai County Divorce Records

What Are Kootenai County Divorce Records?

Kootenai County divorce records are official legal documents maintained by the county court system that document the dissolution of marriage between two individuals within the jurisdiction of Kootenai County, Idaho. These records are created and maintained pursuant to Idaho Code § 32-603, which governs divorce proceedings in the state.

Divorce records typically consist of several components:

  • Petition for divorce (initial filing)
  • Summons
  • Response from the respondent spouse
  • Financial disclosures
  • Parenting plans (if children are involved)
  • Property settlement agreements
  • Final decree of divorce

The First Judicial District Court of Idaho maintains these records for Kootenai County. Divorce records serve multiple important purposes, including:

  • Providing legal proof of marital status change
  • Enabling individuals to legally remarry
  • Supporting name change processes
  • Verifying eligibility for Social Security benefits
  • Documenting status for loan applications
  • Establishing legal status for immigration matters
  • Determining child custody and support arrangements

These records form part of the official court record and are maintained according to Idaho's record retention schedules.

Are Kootenai County Divorce Records Public?

Kootenai County divorce records have a dual status regarding public accessibility. Court divorce case files are generally considered public records under the Idaho Public Records Act § 74-102, which establishes the right of citizens to examine and copy public records. However, this access is subject to important limitations and exceptions.

The public components typically include:

  • Case numbers
  • Names of parties involved
  • Filing dates
  • General case status
  • Final divorce decrees (with certain information redacted)

Restricted components often include:

  • Financial information of the parties
  • Social Security numbers
  • Birth dates
  • Children's identifying information
  • Allegations of domestic violence
  • Certain settlement terms deemed confidential

According to Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, certain sensitive information in divorce records may be sealed or redacted to protect privacy interests. Additionally, certified divorce certificates issued by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records have restricted access and are generally only available to:

  • The parties named in the divorce
  • Their immediate family members
  • Legal representatives with proper authorization
  • Individuals who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest

The court may also order records sealed in their entirety when compelling privacy interests outweigh the public interest in disclosure, particularly in cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, or when publicity would cause undue harm.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Kootenai County in 2026

Members of the public seeking divorce records in Kootenai County may utilize several methods to locate these documents. The process varies depending on whether the requestor needs court case files or a certified divorce certificate.

For court divorce case files:

  1. Visit the Kootenai County District Court Clerk's office in person:

Kootenai County District Court
324 W. Garden Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1160
Kootenai County District Court

  1. Provide the clerk with as much information as possible:

    • Full names of both parties
    • Approximate date of divorce filing or finalization
    • Case number (if known)

  2. Complete a records request form and pay applicable fees:

    • Search fee: $10.00 per name searched
    • Copy fees: $1.00 per page
    • Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy fees

For certified divorce certificates:

  1. Submit a request to the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records:

Idaho Bureau of Vital Records
450 W. State Street, 1st Floor
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 334-5988
Idaho Vital Records

  1. Provide required identification and documentation:

    • Government-issued photo ID
    • Proof of relationship to named parties (if not a party to the divorce)
    • Completed application form

  2. Pay the required fee:

    • $16.00 for the first copy
    • $16.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time

Requests may also be submitted by mail with proper documentation and payment. Processing times typically range from 2-4 weeks for mailed requests.

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Kootenai County Online?

Kootenai County residents and other authorized individuals may access certain divorce record information through online platforms. The Idaho Judiciary provides digital access through its iCourt Portal, which allows users to search for court cases including divorce proceedings.

To search for divorce records online:

  1. Visit the Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository and select the iCourt Portal option.

  2. Create a user account if you don't already have one (requires email address and creating a password).

  3. Select "Smart Search" from the available options.

  4. Enter search criteria:

    • Select "Kootenai" as the county
    • Enter party names (last name, first name)
    • Select case type "Family Law - Divorce" if that option is available
    • Enter date range if known

  5. Review search results, which typically include:

    • Case number
    • Filing date
    • Party names
    • Case type
    • Current status

  6. For detailed documents, users may need to:

    • Pay per-document access fees (typically $0.10-$0.50 per page)
    • Request documents through the "Document Request" feature
    • Note that some documents may not be available online due to privacy restrictions

The online system provides case summaries and register of actions for most divorce cases. However, pursuant to Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32(g)(9), certain sensitive documents may be restricted from online access even when they are available for in-person inspection at the courthouse.

For certified divorce certificates, online requests can be submitted through VitalChek, the authorized online partner of the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Kootenai County?

While most official divorce record requests involve fees, there are limited options for accessing basic divorce record information at no cost in Kootenai County:

  1. Public Access Terminals: The Kootenai County Courthouse provides public access computer terminals where visitors may search basic case information at no charge:

Kootenai County Courthouse
324 W. Garden Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(208) 446-1160

  1. Idaho Repository: Limited case information is available through the Idaho Court Case Repository, which provides basic case details including:

    • Case numbers
    • Party names
    • Filing dates
    • Case type
    • Judge assigned
    • Hearing dates
    • Case status

  2. Law Libraries: The Idaho State Law Library and local public libraries may provide free access to legal research databases that include divorce case information:

Kootenai County Law Library
324 W. Garden Avenue, 1st Floor
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1900

  1. Idaho Court Assistance Office provides free information about court processes, though they do not maintain records themselves.

It's important to note that while basic case information may be available for free, obtaining actual document copies or certified records will involve fees. Additionally, even when using free resources, users must comply with all applicable privacy restrictions under Idaho law.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Kootenai County

Divorce records in Kootenai County consist of multiple documents that collectively document the legal dissolution of marriage. The contents vary based on the complexity of the case and whether children or significant assets were involved.

A typical divorce file contains:

  1. Initial Pleadings:

    • Petition for Divorce (complaint)
    • Summons
    • Proof of service
    • Response/Answer from respondent spouse

  2. Financial Documents:

    • Affidavit of Financial Means
    • Property and debt schedules
    • Income verification (pay stubs, tax returns)
    • Asset valuations

  3. Child-Related Documents (if applicable):

    • Parenting plan
    • Child support worksheets
    • Child custody agreements
    • Visitation schedules

  4. Court Orders:

    • Temporary orders during proceedings
    • Final Decree of Divorce
    • Child support orders
    • Spousal maintenance orders
    • Property division orders

  5. Settlement Documents:

    • Marital settlement agreements
    • Property division agreements
    • Mediation agreements

  6. Procedural Documents:

    • Court hearing notices
    • Certificates of completion for required parenting classes
    • Affidavits and sworn statements

The certified divorce certificate issued by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records is more limited and typically includes:

  • Names of both parties
  • Date of marriage
  • Date of divorce
  • County where divorce was granted
  • Case number
  • Official state seal

Pursuant to Idaho Code § 32-705, divorce records must include determinations regarding spousal support when applicable. Similarly, Idaho Code § 32-717 requires specific findings regarding child custody arrangements when children are involved.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Kootenai County?

Individuals requiring legal proof of divorce in Kootenai County have two primary options for obtaining official documentation:

  1. Certified Copy of Divorce Decree from the Court:

Kootenai County District Court
324 W. Garden Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1160
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Kootenai County District Court

To obtain this document:

  • Complete a records request form (available at the clerk's office or online)
  • Provide the case number if known (or names and approximate date of divorce)
  • Present valid government-issued photo identification
  • Pay the certification fee ($1.00 per certification plus $1.00 per page)
  • Allow 1-3 business days for processing if the case is older and in archives
  1. Certified Divorce Certificate from Vital Records:

Idaho Bureau of Vital Records
450 W. State Street, 1st Floor
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 334-5988
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Idaho Vital Records

To obtain this document:

  • Submit a completed application form
  • Provide proof of identity (government-issued photo ID)
  • Establish eligibility (party to the divorce, immediate family, or legal representative)
  • Pay the required fee ($16.00 for first copy, $16.00 for each additional copy)
  • Submit request in person, by mail, or through VitalChek

For most official purposes (remarriage, name change, immigration), a certified divorce certificate from Vital Records is sufficient. However, for matters involving property division, child custody, or specific divorce terms, the full certified divorce decree from the court is necessary.

Expedited service is available for an additional fee through VitalChek for urgent requests. Standard processing time for mail requests is approximately 2-4 weeks.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Kootenai County?

While divorce proceedings in Kootenai County are generally matters of public record, Idaho law provides several mechanisms through which certain aspects of divorce cases may be kept confidential under specific circumstances.

Confidentiality provisions include:

  1. Sealed Records: Pursuant to Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32(i), a judge may order all or portions of a divorce file sealed when:

    • The right to privacy or dignity of a person outweighs the public's right to know
    • Public disclosure might result in economic or financial harm
    • The documents contain highly intimate facts or statements
    • Release would pose a clear and present danger to an individual's safety

  2. Automatically Confidential Information:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Financial account numbers
    • Names of minor children (in some contexts)
    • Victim information in cases involving domestic violence
    • Medical and mental health records
    • Income tax returns

  3. Redacted Documents: The court clerk may redact sensitive information from documents before making them available to the public, including:

    • Dates of birth
    • Home addresses
    • Telephone numbers
    • Email addresses

  4. Alternative Dispute Resolution: Couples may utilize mediation or collaborative divorce processes, which keep negotiations private, though the final agreement becomes part of the public record when filed with the court.

  5. Confidential Name Change: In cases involving domestic violence, Idaho Code § 7-805 provides a mechanism for confidential name changes as part of divorce proceedings.

To request confidentiality, parties must file a motion with the court demonstrating compelling reasons why specific information should be protected from public disclosure. The judge will weigh the privacy interests against the public's right to access court records before making a determination.

It's important to note that even when records are sealed from public view, they remain available to the parties, their attorneys, and authorized court personnel.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Kootenai County?

The duration of divorce proceedings in Kootenai County varies significantly based on several factors, including case complexity, level of agreement between parties, court caseload, and statutory waiting periods.

Minimum Timeframes:

  • Idaho law imposes a mandatory 21-day waiting period after service of the divorce petition before a default or uncontested divorce can be finalized, per Idaho Code § 32-716.

Typical Timeframes by Divorce Type:

  1. Uncontested Divorce (both parties in agreement):

    • 1-3 months from filing to finalization
    • Factors affecting timeline:
      • Completeness of initial paperwork
      • Court scheduling availability
      • Processing time for judge's signature

  2. Default Divorce (respondent does not participate):

    • 2-4 months from filing to finalization
    • Additional time required for:
      • Proper service of process
      • Waiting for response deadline to expire
      • Scheduling default hearing

  3. Contested Divorce (disagreement on key issues):

    • 6-18 months from filing to finalization
    • Timeline extended by:
      • Discovery process (exchange of financial information)
      • Multiple court hearings
      • Mediation sessions
      • Trial preparation and scheduling
      • Post-trial motions

  4. Complex Divorce (significant assets or custody disputes):

    • 12-24+ months from filing to finalization
    • Additional time required for:
      • Business valuations
      • Property appraisals
      • Custody evaluations
      • Expert witness testimony

According to the Idaho Judicial Branch Annual Report, the average time to disposition for divorce cases in the First Judicial District (which includes Kootenai County) is approximately 180 days, though individual cases may vary significantly from this average.

Factors that commonly extend timeframes include:

  • Court congestion and scheduling delays
  • Requests for continuances by either party
  • Complexity of asset division
  • Child custody evaluations
  • Domestic violence allegations requiring investigation
  • Changes in representation during proceedings

How Long Does Kootenai County Keep Divorce Records?

Kootenai County maintains divorce records according to Idaho's record retention schedules, which establish different retention periods based on record type and historical significance. These retention policies are governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 37 and the Idaho State Historical Society's records management guidelines.

Retention periods for different divorce record components:

  1. Court Case Files:

    • Permanent retention for cases filed before 1950
    • Minimum 30-year retention for cases filed after 1950
    • Digital case management system records maintained indefinitely

  2. Divorce Certificates:

    • Permanent retention by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records
    • Original certificates never destroyed
    • Historical records (pre-1950) maintained in state archives

  3. Divorce Decrees:

    • Permanent retention as essential court records
    • Microfilmed or digitized for preservation
    • Original paper documents may be destroyed after proper conversion to archival format

  4. Supporting Documentation:

    • Financial affidavits: 10 years after case closure
    • Temporary orders: 10 years after case closure
    • Exhibits: Returned to parties or destroyed 2 years after case closure unless specifically ordered retained

  5. Audio Recordings of Proceedings:

    • Maintained for 10 years from date of recording
    • Transcribed recordings may be destroyed after verification of transcript

After the retention period expires, non-permanent records may be destroyed according to approved disposition schedules. However, records with historical or genealogical significance may be transferred to the Idaho State Archives rather than destroyed.

Individuals seeking older divorce records should note that:

  • Records from 1950-present are typically available from the Kootenai County District Court
  • Records from 1911-1949 may be available from either the court or the Idaho State Archives
  • Records prior to 1911 may have limited availability and might require specialized historical research

The Idaho Data Repository maintains electronic case information for cases filed after the implementation of digital case management, regardless of the retention period for physical documents.

How To Get a Divorce In Kootenai County

Individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage in Kootenai County must follow Idaho's established legal process for divorce. The procedure varies depending on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.

For an uncontested divorce (both parties in agreement):

  1. Establish Eligibility:

    • Either spouse must have been an Idaho resident for at least six weeks before filing
    • File in Kootenai County if either spouse resides there

  2. Prepare and File Initial Documents:

    • Petition for Divorce
    • Summons
    • Family Law Case Information Sheet
    • Vital Statistics Certificate of Divorce
    • Submit documents to:

Kootenai County District Court
324 W. Garden Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1160
Kootenai County District Court

  1. Pay Filing Fees:

    • $207.00 for divorce without minor children
    • $232.00 for divorce with minor children
    • Fee waivers available for those who qualify based on financial need

  2. Serve Documents:

    • Have the non-filing spouse formally served with divorce papers
    • Alternatively, the non-filing spouse can sign an Acknowledgment of Service

  3. Complete Required Waiting Period:

    • 21-day mandatory waiting period after service
    • Additional 10-day waiting period if minor children involved

  4. Submit Final Documents:

    • Stipulation for Entry of Decree
    • Property Settlement Agreement
    • Parenting Plan (if children involved)
    • Child Support Worksheets (if children involved)
    • Decree of Divorce

For a contested divorce:

  1. Complete steps 1-4 above

  2. Respondent Files Answer:

    • Responding spouse has 21 days to file a response
    • May include counterclaims

  3. Discovery Process:

    • Exchange of financial information
    • Depositions and interrogatories
    • Requests for production of documents

  4. Temporary Orders (if needed):

    • Temporary child custody
    • Child support
    • Spousal maintenance
    • Possession of property

  5. Mediation:

    • Mandatory in cases involving child custody disputes
    • Voluntary but encouraged for property division issues

  6. Pre-Trial Conference:

    • Review of issues
    • Scheduling of trial

  7. Trial:

    • Presentation of evidence and testimony
    • Judge makes final determinations on all disputed issues

  8. Final Decree:

    • Judge issues final Decree of Divorce
    • Orders regarding property division, custody, support

The Idaho Court Assistance Office provides forms and guidance for self-represented litigants. Additionally, the Idaho Legal Aid Services offers assistance to qualifying low-income individuals.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Kootenai County

Individuals seeking to initiate divorce proceedings in Kootenai County have several options for obtaining the necessary legal forms and documents:

  1. Court Assistance Office:
    • Free forms and limited guidance for self-represented litigants
    • Available in person at:

Kootenai County Court Assistance Office
324 W. Garden Avenue, 1st Floor
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1160
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  1. Online Resources:

    • Idaho Court Assistance Office website provides downloadable forms
    • Forms available include:
      • Petition for Divorce (with and without children versions)
      • Summons
      • Family Law Case Information Sheet
      • Parenting Plans
      • Child Support Worksheets
      • Property and Debt Schedules
      • Final Decree templates

  2. Kootenai County Law Library:

    • Reference materials and form books available
    • Located at:

Kootenai County Law Library
324 W. Garden Avenue, 1st Floor
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  1. Private Legal Services:
    • Private attorneys (fees vary)
    • Legal document preparation services (typically $150-$300)
    • Online legal form providers

When obtaining divorce papers, individuals should ensure they have the correct forms based on their specific situation:

  • Different forms are required for cases with and without minor children
  • Special forms may be needed for cases involving domestic violence
  • Additional forms required for military divorces

All completed forms must be submitted to:

Kootenai County District Court Clerk
324 W. Garden Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1160
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Filing fees (as of current date):

  • $207.00 for divorce without minor children
  • $232.00 for divorce with minor children
  • Fee waiver applications available for those who qualify based on financial need

Individuals with complex situations are advised to consult with an attorney before proceeding. The Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can provide referrals to attorneys who offer initial consultations at reduced rates.

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