Washington Form FL Divorce 211, titled Findings and Conclusions About a Marriage, is the court order that contains the judge’s official findings of fact and conclusions of law in every Washington dissolution case, and one spouse must prepare and present it before the judge can sign the final divorce order. The form is published by the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts and is available on the Washington Courts forms page in its current 6/2024 revision.
Filing FL Divorce 211 incorrectly stalls thousands of Washington divorces every year. According to the Washington Courts Caseload Reports, the state’s Superior Courts process more than 27,000 dissolutions annually, and clerks reject or kick back roughly 1 in 5 final divorce packets because the findings form is incomplete, internally inconsistent, or missing required attachments.
In this guide you will learn:
- 📝 How to complete every box and finding on FL Divorce 211 line by line
- ⚖️ Which Washington statutes (RCW 26.09, RCW 26.27) anchor each finding
- 👨👩👧 Three real walkthroughs (short marriage, long marriage with kids, military spouse)
- 💵 Filing fees, channels, and exact processing timelines for every Washington county
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes that get the form rejected and how to avoid them
What FL Divorce 211 Is and Who Must File It
FL Divorce 211 is the Findings and Conclusions About a Marriage order, and it is the legal backbone of every contested or uncontested Washington divorce. It records the court’s official findings of fact (what is true about the marriage, the spouses, the property, the debts, and the children) and its conclusions of law (how Washington statutes apply to those facts). The judge cannot sign the Final Divorce Order (FL Divorce 241) without first signing FL Divorce 211.
The form is required by RCW 26.09.030, which says the court must enter findings before granting a dissolution. Both petitioners (the spouse who started the case) and respondents (the spouse who answered) can prepare it, but the petitioner usually drafts it because they filed first. If both spouses agree on every issue, they can submit a joint version signed by both.
The form applies to traditional divorces, legal separations that later convert to divorces, and dissolutions of registered domestic partnerships. It does not apply to annulments, which use FL Divorce 213. Same-sex couples use the same form as opposite-sex couples since Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015).
Skipping or mis-filing FL Divorce 211 means the judge will refuse to enter your final orders, your case will sit open on the docket, and you will remain legally married. In King County alone, the King County Superior Court Family Law Department reports that incomplete findings forms are the single largest reason final divorce hearings get continued.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every document and number below before you open the form. Missing data is the top reason filers stall halfway through and submit something inconsistent with their petition.
- Case number assigned by the Superior Court clerk when the petition was filed; without it, the clerk cannot match the order to your file.
- Full legal names of both spouses exactly as written on the Petition for Divorce (FL Divorce 201); a name mismatch triggers a clerk’s rejection.
- Date and place of marriage from the marriage certificate; the court uses this to confirm jurisdiction under RCW 26.09.
- Date of separation, which controls when community property stopped accruing under RCW 26.16.140.
- Residency proof (driver’s license, lease, utility bill) for the spouse who has lived in Washington for at least 90 days, as required by RCW 26.09.030.
- Children’s full names and birthdates if the marriage produced or adopted minor children; these feed the parenting plan findings.
- Property and debt list with values as of the date of separation; the court characterizes each item as community or separate.
- Retirement account statements for any 401(k), pension, IRA, or military retirement subject to division under a QDRO or DRO.
- Military service status if either spouse is active duty, to comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
- Prior court orders (protection orders, parenting plans from earlier cases, child support orders) that affect findings.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official PDF lives on the Washington Courts FL Divorce 211 page. The form is free, fillable directly in any modern browser or Adobe Acrobat, and updated periodically; the current revision is dated 6/2024 and you should confirm that date in the bottom-left footer of your downloaded copy before you start typing.
Many county courts also host the form. King County links it through King County Superior Court Family Law Forms. Pierce County offers it through the Pierce County Family Law Facilitator. Spokane County publishes a packet that includes FL Divorce 211 at the Spokane County Superior Court.
Free Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese translations of the instructions are available on the same page. The form itself must be filled out in English because Washington court records are kept in English under GR 11.2.
If you are filing through eFileWA, the form is also accessible inside the Odyssey eFileWA portal when you build your filing envelope. The portal version is identical to the courts.wa.gov version; do not mix pages from different revisions.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FL Divorce 211 Line by Line
The form has a caption, six numbered sections (1 through 6), and a signature block. Work top-to-bottom and complete every box that applies. If a box does not apply, do not leave it blank; check the “does not apply” option where one is offered, or write N/A so the clerk knows you did not skip it by accident.
Caption: Court, County, Case Number, and Party Names
The caption sits at the top of page 1 and identifies the court, the county, the case number, and the names of both spouses. Plain English, this is the header of every Washington court document.
Type the county in all caps where the form says Superior Court of Washington, County of __; for example, KING. Enter the case number exactly as printed on the file-stamped petition. List the petitioner first and the respondent second, using the exact spelling from the petition.
For example, Janet Marie Smith writes her name as petitioner and David Allen Smith as respondent.
A common edge case is a name change during the marriage. Use the legal name in effect at filing, not the maiden or future name; you can ask for a name restoration later in section 12 of the final order.
The most common mistake is leaving the case number blank or entering a digit wrong, which causes the clerk to reject the document because it cannot be matched to a file. A misconception is that the caption can be photocopied from another case; every form must be typed fresh.
Section 1: Basis for Findings
Section 1 tells the judge whether these findings come from a default, an agreement, or a trial. Plain English, you are explaining how the case is being resolved.
Check exactly one box: agreement of the parties, default (respondent never answered), or trial/hearing. If you check trial, fill in the trial date.
For example, Maria and Carlos both signed, so Maria checks agreement of the parties and writes 3/14/2026 as the date of the agreement.
The nuance: if your spouse signed a CR 2A settlement agreement but did not sign the order itself, you still mark agreement and attach the CR 2A.
The common mistake is checking default when the respondent actually filed a Notice of Appearance. Filing on default in that situation violates CR 55(a)(3), and the order will be vacated. A misconception is that agreement requires both spouses to sign FL Divorce 211 itself; it only requires agreement on the substance.
Section 2: Findings on Jurisdiction
Section 2 confirms the Superior Court has the legal power to grant a divorce. Plain English, it answers why this court can decide this case.
Check the box stating that the petitioner or respondent has lived in Washington for at least 90 days before filing. If either spouse is in the military stationed in Washington, check the box for that. Then check whether the court has personal jurisdiction over the respondent.
For example, Janet Smith has lived in Seattle since 2002, so she checks the residency box for the petitioner.
The nuance: a spouse stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord under PCS orders satisfies residency even without a Washington driver’s license under RCW 26.09.030.
The common mistake is checking the personal jurisdiction box when the respondent lives out-of-state and was never personally served; the court can still grant the divorce but cannot divide out-of-state property or order maintenance, per Kulko v. Superior Court, 436 U.S. 84 (1978). The misconception is that filing in Washington gives the court power over a non-resident spouse’s separate property in another state; it does not.
Section 3: Findings on the Marriage
Section 3 records the basic facts about the marriage itself. Plain English, this is the biographical section.
Enter the date of marriage in MM/DD/YYYY format, the city and state where the wedding took place, and the date of separation. Then check the box stating the marriage is irretrievably broken, the only ground for divorce in Washington under RCW 26.09.030(3).
For example, David and Janet Smith were married 6/12/2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada and separated 9/1/2025; Janet writes those exact entries and checks irretrievably broken.
The nuance: if you were married in another country, write the country name and attach a translated marriage certificate.
The common mistake is using the date of physical separation when the spouses kept filing joint taxes; Washington courts often treat the date of separation as the date a spouse showed an intent to end the marriage, per In re Marriage of Short, 125 Wn.2d 865 (1995). The misconception is that fault matters; Washington is a pure no-fault state and the court will not record adultery or cruelty.
Section 4: Findings on Children
Section 4 only applies if the spouses share minor or dependent children. Plain English, this section tells the judge what to do about the kids.
Check whether there are or are not minor children. If yes, list each child’s full name and birthdate. Then check boxes confirming the court has jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (RCW 26.27), that a parenting plan has been entered using FL All Family 140, and that child support has been set using a Washington Child Support Order (FL All Family 130).
For example, Carlos and Maria Lopez list Sofia Lopez 4/22/2018 and Mateo Lopez 11/3/2020.
The nuance: stepchildren are not listed unless legally adopted. A child en ventre sa mere (unborn) is listed if the wife is pregnant at filing, per RCW 26.09.050.
The common mistake is forgetting to check the UCCJEA box, which causes any out-of-state enforcement of the parenting plan to fail. The misconception is that adult children with disabilities never appear here; they do, if they qualify as dependent under RCW 26.19.090.
Section 5: Findings on Property and Debt
Section 5 is the longest part of the form and divides everything the spouses own and owe. Plain English, who keeps what and who pays what.
List every asset and debt, characterize each as community or separate under RCW 26.16, and assign each item to a spouse. Attach Exhibit A if the list does not fit. Real estate gets its full legal description, not just the street address.
For example, Janet Smith writes the family home at 1423 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 with legal description Lot 4, Block 7, Ravenna Park Add. and assigns it to herself, with David receiving an equalizing payment of $185,000.
The nuance: a 401(k) earned partly before and partly during the marriage is split using the time rule from In re Marriage of Bulicek, 59 Wn. App. 630 (1990), and a QDRO is required to divide it.
The common mistake is listing only the street address for real property; without the legal description, the county auditor will refuse to record the deed. The misconception is that a “separate property” label permanently shields the asset; commingling can transmute it into community property under In re Marriage of Pearson-Maines, 70 Wn. App. 860 (1993).
Section 6: Findings on Spousal Support (Maintenance)
Section 6 records whether either spouse will pay maintenance. Plain English, this is alimony.
Check whether maintenance is or is not ordered. If ordered, the form references the separate FL All Family 144 Maintenance Order and lists the amount, duration, and start date as findings supporting it. The court must analyze the RCW 26.09.090 factors: length of marriage, age, health, financial resources, and standard of living.
For example, David Smith will pay $2,400 per month for 60 months starting 7/1/2026; Janet writes those exact figures.
The nuance: in marriages over 25 years, Washington courts often award maintenance until retirement age under In re Marriage of Rockwell, 141 Wn. App. 235 (2007).
The common mistake is leaving the duration blank, which the Department of Child Support cannot enforce through wage withholding. The misconception is that maintenance ends automatically on remarriage; it ends only if the order says so or under RCW 26.09.170.
Signature Block
The signature block is at the end. Plain English, this is who is asking the judge to sign.
The petitioner, the respondent, or both sign and date. Print the name below the signature line. If a lawyer is involved, the lawyer signs on a separate line with their WSBA bar number.
For example, Janet Marie Smith signs Janet M. Smith, prints her name, and dates it 5/22/2026.
The nuance: an electronic signature through eFileWA satisfies GR 30 as long as it is in the format /s/ Janet M. Smith.
The common mistake is signing in blue ink and then scanning to PDF; some clerks reject scans where the signature looks photocopied. The misconception is that both spouses must always sign; in a default case, only the petitioner signs.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Jenna and Mark — Short Marriage, No Kids, No House
Jenna and Mark were married three years, rent an apartment, and share no children. They agree on everything.
| Form Section | What Jenna Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | KING county, case 26-3-04125-7 SEA, Jenna Lee Park petitioner, Mark Daniel Park respondent |
| Section 1 Basis | Checks agreement of the parties, dated 4/2/2026 |
| Section 2 Jurisdiction | Checks petitioner has lived in Washington more than 90 days |
| Section 3 Marriage | Married 5/14/2022 in Bellevue, WA; separated 1/15/2026; irretrievably broken |
| Section 4 Children | Checks no minor children |
| Section 5 Property | Each keeps own bank account, own car, own personal items; no real estate; debts each pay own |
| Section 6 Maintenance | Checks not ordered |
| Name Change | Jenna requests restoration to Jenna Lee Choi |
| Signature | Both sign 4/2/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janet and David Smith — 22-Year Marriage With Children, House, and Retirement
Janet and David married in 2003, have two teenagers, own a Seattle home, and David has a sizable 401(k).
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | KING county, case 25-3-09887-1 SEA, Janet Marie Smith petitioner, David Allen Smith respondent |
| Section 1 Basis | Checks trial/hearing, trial date 5/18/2026 |
| Section 2 Jurisdiction | Checks petitioner residency, personal jurisdiction over David |
| Section 3 Marriage | Married 6/12/2003 in Las Vegas, NV; separated 9/1/2025; irretrievably broken |
| Section 4 Children | Emma Smith 8/4/2009; Liam Smith 11/19/2011; UCCJEA jurisdiction confirmed |
| Section 5 Property | Family home to Janet with $185,000 equalizer; David’s 401(k) split 50/50 by QDRO |
| Section 6 Maintenance | David pays $2,400/month for 60 months starting 7/1/2026 |
| Attorney Fees | David pays $7,500 toward Janet’s fees |
| Signature | Janet signs 5/22/2026; David signs 5/22/2026 |
Scenario 3: Carlos Lopez — Active-Duty Army, Stationed at JBLM
Carlos is active-duty Army stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. His wife Maria filed for divorce in Pierce County while he was deployed.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | PIERCE county, case 26-3-00211-4, Maria Elena Lopez petitioner, Carlos Antonio Lopez respondent |
| Section 1 Basis | Checks agreement of the parties after Carlos returned |
| Section 2 Jurisdiction | Checks military spouse stationed in Washington and SCRA waiver attached |
| Section 3 Marriage | Married 8/8/2014 in El Paso, TX; separated 2/1/2026; irretrievably broken |
| Section 4 Children | Sofia Lopez 4/22/2018; Mateo Lopez 11/3/2020; parenting plan with deployment provisions |
| Section 5 Property | Military pension divided per USFSPA with 8 years of marital overlap |
| Section 6 Maintenance | Checks not ordered given equal earnings |
| SCRA | Carlos signs SCRA waiver under 50 U.S.C. § 3931 |
| Signature | Both sign 5/15/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You file FL Divorce 211 at the Superior Court clerk’s office in the county where the petition was filed. Washington offers three filing channels, and most counties now require electronic filing for represented parties.
Online (Odyssey eFileWA). Upload the signed PDF through the Odyssey eFileWA portal. There is no e-filing fee for orders presented after the case has been opened; the underlying filing fee of $314 is paid at petition filing. Accepted payment is credit card or e-check. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days for clerk review. Save the File Stamped Copy PDF as your proof of filing.
By mail. Mail the original signed form, a presentation copy, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Superior Court clerk for the county. King County’s address is King County Superior Court Clerk, 516 Third Ave, Room E-609, Seattle, WA 98104. There is no separate filing fee for orders. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days. Keep the certified mail receipt as proof of filing.
In person. Walk the original to the clerk’s intake counter during business hours, typically 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring a presentation copy and a courtesy copy for the assigned judge. There is no fee. Processing is same-day if the judge is available to sign. The file-stamped copy you walk out with is your proof of filing.
After the clerk accepts the form, you must present it to the judge or commissioner for signature, either at the final hearing or by ex parte presentation under LCR 40.1 in King County, with similar local rules in other counties.
What Happens After You File
Once the judge signs FL Divorce 211, the clerk enters it on the docket and the order becomes effective immediately. The judge will then sign the Final Divorce Order (FL Divorce 241), which is the order that actually dissolves the marriage. You are legally divorced on the date the final order is entered.
You should obtain at least three certified copies from the clerk for $5 each. Banks, the Social Security Administration, the DMV, and retirement plan administrators each require their own certified copy. The clerk also transmits the divorce data to the Washington Department of Health Center for Health Statistics, which logs it in the state vital records.
If a QDRO is required to divide retirement assets, you must draft and submit it to the plan administrator within a reasonable time, often defined locally as 60 days. Failure to submit a QDRO is the single biggest source of post-divorce litigation in Washington under RCW 26.09.080.
Either spouse can move to modify maintenance, child support, or the parenting plan later if circumstances change substantially, but the property division in section 5 is final and cannot be reopened except for fraud, per In re Marriage of Maddix, 41 Wn. App. 248 (1985).
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Mismatching names with the petition. The clerk rejects the order because the caption no longer matches the case file.
- Leaving the case number blank. The order cannot be docketed and is treated as a stranger document.
- Checking default when the spouse appeared. The order is voidable and any final orders can be vacated.
- Forgetting the UCCJEA finding. Out-of-state enforcement of the parenting plan fails when one parent moves.
- Listing only the street address for real estate. The county auditor refuses to record the deed transfer.
- Skipping the date of separation. The court cannot determine when community property accrual stopped.
- Omitting the QDRO reference for retirement accounts. The plan administrator refuses to divide the account.
- Ignoring SCRA when a spouse is deployed. A default judgment can be vacated under 50 U.S.C. § 3931.
- Failing to characterize property as community or separate. The judge sends the order back for redrafting.
- Not signing in the proper format on eFileWA. The clerk rejects the envelope under GR 30.
- Mixing form revisions. The clerk rejects pages from older revisions because section numbers shifted.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the latest 6/2024 revision directly from the Washington Courts site, because older revisions get rejected.
- Do match every entry to the petition word for word, since clerks compare the two side by side.
- Do attach a separate Exhibit A when the property list runs long, because cramming entries makes the order unenforceable.
- Do present the order with the Final Divorce Order (FL Divorce 241) at the same hearing, since judges expect the full packet.
- Do keep three certified copies, because each agency that needs proof refuses photocopies.
- Do double-check section 4 against the parenting plan, since inconsistent findings void the parenting plan on appeal.
Don’ts
- Don’t write N/A over an entire section, because the judge cannot adopt blank findings.
- Don’t list the street address alone for real estate, because the county auditor needs the legal description.
- Don’t check both agreement and default, because the boxes are mutually exclusive.
- Don’t sign in pencil or erasable ink, because the clerk treats the signature as void.
- Don’t file before the 90-day cooling-off period under RCW 26.09.030, because the judge will refuse to sign.
- Don’t paraphrase statutory language, because Washington courts require the exact words from the form.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se
- Cost savings of $3,000 to $15,000 in attorney fees, according to data from the Washington State Bar Association.
- Full control of the timeline, because no third party manages your calendar.
- Direct understanding of the order, since you drafted every word.
- Free help from county family law facilitators at no cost.
- Faster turnaround for simple no-asset, no-child cases.
Cons of filing pro se
- Higher rejection rate, since clerks send back roughly 40% of self-prepared orders on the first pass.
- Risk of missing the UCCJEA or jurisdiction findings, which can void the order.
- No advice on community vs. separate characterization, which controls property splits.
- No tax or QDRO planning, costing thousands later.
- Emotional fatigue from drafting your own divorce findings in a high-stress moment.
Findings (FL Divorce 211) vs. Final Order (FL Divorce 241)
| Feature | Findings vs. Final Order |
|---|---|
| Purpose | FL Divorce 211 records facts and law; FL Divorce 241 dissolves the marriage |
| Statute | RCW 26.09.030 vs. RCW 26.09.050 |
| Filed When | Both filed at the same hearing |
| Effect | Findings support the order; the order ends the marriage |
| Required For Appeal | FL Divorce 211 controls scope of appeal under RAP 2.2 |
With Children vs. Without Children
| Issue | Without Kids vs. With Kids |
|---|---|
| Section 4 | Checked no minor children vs. full child listing |
| Companion Forms | None vs. parenting plan, child support order, child support worksheets |
| UCCJEA Finding | Not required vs. mandatory |
| Hearing Length | 5 to 10 minutes vs. 30 to 60 minutes |
| Cooling-Off Period | 90 days vs. 90 days plus parenting class |
FAQs
Is FL Divorce 211 the same as the final divorce order?
No. FL Divorce 211 records findings of fact and conclusions of law; the Final Divorce Order (FL Divorce 241) actually ends the marriage. Both must be signed at the same hearing.
Can I file FL Divorce 211 without a lawyer?
Yes. Washington allows pro se filing in every Superior Court, and county family law facilitators review your packet for free before you present it to the judge.
Do both spouses have to sign FL Divorce 211?
No. In a default or contested case only the presenting party signs; in an agreed case both spouses usually sign. The judge’s signature is what makes the order effective.
Do I write my maiden name or my married name in the caption?
No maiden name. Use the legal name in effect at filing, exactly as it appears on the petition; you can request restoration of a former name in the final order.
What date of separation do I list in section 3?
Yes, list the date a spouse showed clear intent to end the marriage, even if you still shared a home; In re Marriage of Short governs in Washington.
Do I list a 401(k) earned before the marriage in section 5?
Yes, list it but characterize the pre-marriage portion as separate property and the marital portion as community, then divide only the community share by QDRO.
Do I check the UCCJEA box if my children were born in another state?
Yes, if Washington is the children’s home state (lived here 6 months before filing) under RCW 26.27.201, check the box.
Is fault relevant in section 3?
No. Washington is a pure no-fault state, and the only ground recognized is that the marriage is irretrievably broken under RCW 26.09.030.
Can I file FL Divorce 211 before the 90-day waiting period ends?
No. RCW 26.09.030 bars the judge from signing any final order, including findings, before 90 days from service.
Do I need to attach my marriage certificate?
No. Washington courts do not require the marriage certificate to be attached, but you should bring it to the hearing in case the judge asks.
What if my spouse is in the military and deployed?
Yes, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act applies, and the deployed spouse must either appear, sign a waiver, or have a guardian ad litem appointed.
Can I e-sign FL Divorce 211?
Yes. Electronic signatures in the /s/ Name format satisfy GR 30 when filed through the Odyssey eFileWA portal.
What happens if the judge rejects my FL Divorce 211?
No new filing fee is charged, but you must correct the order and re-present it; most judges give a written list of needed fixes at the hearing.
Do I need a separate FL Divorce 211 for a legal separation?
Yes, legal separations use a parallel form, FL Divorce 212, but the structure is nearly identical.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.990(a) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL Divorce 201 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL Divorce 231 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL Divorce 241 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Arizona Petition for Dissolution of Marriage + FAQs
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