Wash. Rev. Code » Title 26 · Chapter 26.09
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.150 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity is final when entered, subject to the right of appeal. An appeal which does not challenge the finding that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken or was invalid, does not delay the finality of the dissolution or declaration of invalidity and either party may remarry or enter into a domestic partnership pending such an appeal.
(2)(a) No earlier than six months after entry of a decree of legal separation, on motion of either party, the court shall convert the decree of legal separation to a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership. The clerk of court shall complete the certificate on the form provided by the department of health. On or before the tenth day of each month, the clerk of the court shall forward to the state registrar of vital statistics the certificate of each decree of divorce, dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, annulment, or separate maintenance granted during the preceding month.
(b) Once a month, the state registrar of vital statistics shall prepare a list of persons for whom a certificate of dissolution of domestic partnership was transmitted to the registrar and was not included in a previous list, and shall supply the list to the secretary of state.
(3) Upon request of a party whose marriage or domestic partnership is dissolved or declared invalid, the court shall order a former name restored or the court may, in its discretion, order a change to another name.
[ 2019 c 148 s 33; 2008 c 6 s 1016. Prior: 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 205; 1989 c 375 s 30; 1973 1st ex.s. c 157 s 15.]

Notes:

Effective date—Rule-making authority—2019 c 148: See RCW 70.58A.901 and 70.58A.902.
Part headings not law—Severability—2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.
Effective date—Severability—1989 1st ex.s. c 9: See RCW 43.70.910 and 43.70.920.
Effect of entry of a decree of dissolution of marriage or a declaration of invalidity or certification of termination of a state registered domestic partnership on nonprobate assets: RCW 11.07.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 19 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1978–2025 · leading case: In re the Marriage of Moody, 976 P.2d 1240 (Wash. 1999).
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In re the Marriage of Moody, 976 P.2d 1240 (Wash. 1999). · cites it 4× “No motion has been made to convert the parties’ decree of legal separation into a decree of dissolution pursuant to RCW 26.09.150. In November 1995, Homer filed a “motion to stay the finalization of dissolution, to vacate and to re-open the property settlement and maintenance…”
In Re Marriage of Moody, 976 P.2d 1240 (Wash. 1999). · cites it 4× “No motion has been made to convert the parties' decree of legal separation into a decree of dissolution pursuant to RCW 26.09.150. In November 1995, Homer filed a "motion to stay the finalization of dissolution, to vacate and to re-open the property settlement and maintenance…”
In re the Marriage of Mu Chai, 93 P.3d 936 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 4× “2 RCW 26.09.150 allows a decree of separation to be converted to a decree of dissolution: No earlier than six months after entry of a decree of legal separation, on motion of either party, the court shall convert the decree of legal separation to a decree of dissolution of…”
In Re the Marriage of Little, 634 P.2d 498 (Wash. 1981). · cites it 2× “And RCW 26.09.150 provides: A decree of dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity is final when entered, subject to the right of appeal.”
In Re the Marriage of Mahalingam, 584 P.2d 971 (Wash. Ct. App. 1978). · cites it 2× “The court vacated the custody provisions of the legal separation decree and dissolved the marriage.”
In Re the Marriage of Markowski, 749 P.2d 754 (Wash. Ct. App. 1988). “Markowski responds that the petition for dissolution was merely an amendment of the original petition for legal separation and, under CR 15(a), there is no requirement that a new summons be filed and served when pleadings are amended.”
Valley v. Selfridge, 639 P.2d 225 (Wash. Ct. App. 1982). “040 provided for a 6-year statute of limitation for a judgment, it is now 10 years under RCW 4.”
Chai v. Kong, 93 P.3d 936 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 4× “[2] RCW 26.09.150 allows a decree of separation to be converted to a decree of dissolution: No earlier than six months after entry of a decree of legal separation, on motion of either party, the court shall convert the decree of legal separation to a decree of dissolution of…”
In Re the Marriage of Hermsen, 617 P.2d 462 (Wash. Ct. App. 1980). “RCW 26.09.150. Third, the problems of characterizing and disposing of property remain largely the same whether the proceeding is *324 bifurcated or unitary.”
Nagle v. Nagle, 2025 ND 94 (N.D. 2025). “at 514 (citing Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.09.150 (2021)).”
In the Matter of Marriage of Parks, 794 P.2d 59 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). “57 percent of the total LEOFF pension and approximately one-third of the total National Guard retirement when it reaches payment status. This award to Mrs. Parks represents all the community interest in the benefits and retirement, plus a portion of Mr.”
Aaron Paddock, & Louise May (Wash. Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 3× “RCW 26.09.150(2)(a) provides that, “[n]o earlier than six months after entry of a decree of legal separation, on motion of either party, the court shall convert the decree of legal separation to a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership.”
Show all 19 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.150(1) — 5 cases
Marriage Of Steven Thompson, App/cross-resp & Robert Thompson, Resp/cross-app (Wash. Ct. App. 2018).
Charles M. Mcbeth v. Ruby E. Ketschau (Wash. Ct. App. 2019).
In the Matter of the Marriage of Judith K. Tulleners & Andre J. Tulleners (Wash. Ct. App. 2019).
In Re The Marriage Of Susan M Kosunen, V Seppo Kosunen (Wash. Ct. App. 2020).
Lindsey Brandt, V. Andrew Brandt (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.150(2)(a) — 1 case
Aaron Paddock, & Louise May (Wash. Ct. App. 2024). “RCW 26.09.150(2)(a) provides that, “[n]o earlier than six months after entry of a decree of legal separation, on motion of either party, the court shall convert the decree of legal separation to a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership.”
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