Grant County Court Records
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Grant County sits in central Washington State, with Ephrata as the county seat. Its judicial system includes the Grant County Superior Court, a countywide District Court with two locations, and eleven municipal courts spread across the county's cities and towns. The Superior Court handles felonies, major civil disputes, family law, juvenile matters, and probate proceedings. The District Court manages misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims, and civil cases up to $100,000. Court records are maintained by the Grant County Clerk and District Court staff, and you can reach them through online tools, in-person visits, or written requests.
Washington State offers several resources for searching court case information across all jurisdictions. WashingtonStateCourts.us provides access to case search systems, court directories, forms, and general information that can help you find publicly available case data for Grant County and any other Washington jurisdiction.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Grant County?
Start with one of two online search systems. The Washington Courts Case Search lets you look up cases filed in municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts by name or case number. For Grant County Superior Court records specifically, the Odyssey Portal offers another electronic search option. Keep in mind that Odyssey Portal access requires a $25 annual registration fee per agency or law firm, and you'll need to submit both a registration form and a confidentiality agreement.
In-Person and Mail Requests — Superior Court
To request copies of Superior Court records, complete the Superior Court Information Request Form and submit it with payment to:
Grant County Clerk
Address: Law and Justice Center, 35 C Street NW, P.O. Box 37, Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2015
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (available by phone until 5:00 p.m.)
In-Person and Mail Requests — District Court
For District Court records, fill out the District Court Information Request Form and submit it to:
Grant County District Court
Address: 35 C Street NW, P.O. Box 37, Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011, ext. 3101
Copy Fees (Effective June 11, 2026)
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-certified copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Authenticated/exemplified copies | $4.00 certificate fee + certified copy fee |
| Digital/electronic exhibit copies | $25.00 per exhibit |
| Duplicate of recorded proceedings | $25.00 per court date |
| Electronic storage medium | $5.00 per medium |
| Search fee (per hour, for compiling information) | $30.00 |
| Postage (standard envelope) | $1.00 |
You can pay by cash, cashier's check, law firm check, personal check, money order, or debit/credit card. Make checks payable to Grant County Clerk. Filing fees, ex parte fees, and certified copy fees must each be submitted as separate checks. All fees are paid in advance under RCW 36.18.060, and no refunds are given. If you're mailing a request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and your email address so the office can reach you if needed.
Are Court Records Public in Grant County?
Under Washington's General Rule 31 (GR 31), court records are generally open to the public unless restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. There's no fee to view documents at the courthouse, though copy fees apply when you want reproductions.
Several categories of records are not available to the general public. According to the Access to Court Records brochure published by the Washington Courts, restricted record types include:
- Adoption records — Sealed under RCW 26.33.330
- Mental illness commitment records — Restricted under RCW 71.05.620
- Alcohol and drug treatment commitment records
- Paternity records — Restricted except for final orders, per RCW 26.26.610
- Confidential name change records — Protected under RCW 4.24.130(5)
- Juvenile non-offender records — Including dependency, truancy, at-risk youth, and termination of parental rights cases, per RCW 13.50.100
- Records sealed by judicial order
Family law and guardianship cases carry additional restrictions under GR 22. In those case types, restricted documents include the Confidential Information Form, sealed financial source documents (such as tax returns, wage stubs, and bank statements), sealed personal health care records, retirement plan orders, relocation notices, and detailed portions of certain evaluations and guardian ad litem reports. If you need access to restricted family law documents, you'll need to file a Motion and Declaration to Allow Access to Records Under GR 22(2) with the court of record and schedule a hearing.
GR 15 covers the destruction, sealing, and redaction of court records. Personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers — are also subject to redaction in publicly accessible documents.
Grant County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Grant County move through several court levels depending on the offense. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over felonies, while the District Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Municipal courts across the county process local ordinance violations and certain misdemeanor offenses.
Searching Criminal Case Records
You can search criminal case information through the Washington Courts Case Search portal. Keep in mind that this tool shows case management information only — it is not a complete criminal record check.
Criminal History Background Checks
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) maintains Washington's criminal history records. You have three ways to request a background check:
- Online — Use the WATCH portal (Washington Access to Criminal History). Each search costs $11, payable by credit or debit card. Online results are unverified. To verify them, place the subject's right thumbprint on the lower right corner of the printed report and mail it with an explanatory letter to WSP — verification is free.
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By mail — Complete the Request for Conviction Criminal History Form and mail it with payment to:
Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section
Address: P.O. Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633A name-based check costs $32. A fingerprint-based check costs $58 and requires a completed fingerprint card. Pay by check, money order, or Bank Card Authorization Form.
- Walk-in — Bring the completed form and payment to the WSP office at 106 11th Avenue SW, Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501. Walk-in fees are the same as mail request fees. A notarized letter is available for an additional $10 with any request.
Grant County Sheriff's Office
The Grant County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest reports, incident reports, collision reports, and other law enforcement records through its Records Unit. Criminal history checks through the Sheriff's Office reflect only records from that agency — they won't include information from other departments.
Grant County Sheriff's Office
Address: 35 C Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823
Mailing: P.O. Box 37, Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2018
Fax: (509) 754-2058
Public records requests for law enforcement reports can be submitted through the county's Public Records page. Criminal filing costs assessed upon conviction in Superior Court include $200 under RCW 36.18.020(h), and crime victim penalty assessments of $500 for gross misdemeanors and felonies or $250 for misdemeanors under RCW 7.68.035.
Grant County Civil Court Records
Civil case records for Superior Court matters are maintained by the Grant County Clerk, with District Court staff handling cases within that court's jurisdiction. The Superior Court can hear civil disputes of any dollar amount, while the District Court has concurrent jurisdiction for claims up to $100,000. Small claims in District Court are capped at $10,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses.
Civil Filing Fees (Effective June 11, 2026)
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Surcharges | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil case filing | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Counterclaim/cross-claim/third party claim | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Unlawful detainer residential (default) | $45.00 | $90.00 | $135.00 |
| Unlawful detainer commercial | $157.00 | $90.00 | $247.00 |
| Change of name (non-confidential) | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Foreign judgment filing | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Transcript of judgment | $20.00 | $20.00 | |
| Writ issuance (garnishment, execution, etc.) | $20.00 | $20.00 | |
| Jury demand — 6 members | $125.00 | $125.00 | |
| Jury demand — 12 members | $250.00 | $250.00 | |
| Ex parte presentation | $30.00 | $30.00 |
Filing fees are set under RCW 36.18.016 and RCW 36.18.020. The complete Grant County Clerk's Fee Schedule lists all current fees. If you can't afford the filing fee, a Petition for Waiver of Civil Filing Fees under GR 34 may be available for indigent parties.
Search civil case records through the Washington Courts Case Search or request them by completing the appropriate information request form. Local court forms specific to Grant County Superior Court — including status conference statements, scheduling orders, and trial readiness forms — are available on the county website. The Grant County Superior Court Local Rules govern civil practice procedures, including mandatory arbitration requirements.
Grant County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Grant County are heard by the Superior Court. Cases include divorce (dissolution of marriage), legal separation, annulment, child custody, parenting plans, child support, spousal maintenance, domestic partnerships, paternity, de facto parentage, domestic violence protection orders, and modifications of existing judgments. District Court judges are also appointed as Superior Court Commissioners, which allows them to sign temporary and preliminary orders in family law matters.
Family Law Filing Fees (Effective June 11, 2026)
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Facilitator Fee | Surcharges | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic relations (divorce, separation, etc.) | $200.00 | $20.00 | $90.00 + $54.00 victim assessment | $364.00 |
| Custody/parenting plan/de facto parentage | $200.00 | $20.00 | $90.00 | $310.00 |
| Custody out-of-state decree | $200.00 | $20.00 | $90.00 | $310.00 |
| Counter petition (in existing case) | $200.00 | $20.00 | $90.00 | $310.00 |
| Modification of decree (in existing Grant Co. case) | $36.00 | $20.00 | $56.00 | |
| Modification of decree (new to Grant County) | $200.00 | $20.00 | $90.00 | $310.00 |
| Paternity | $200.00 | $20.00 | $90.00 | $310.00 |
| Paternity modification | $36.00 | $20.00 | $56.00 | |
| Wage assignment (spousal maintenance or child support) | $200.00 | $20.00 | $90.00 | $310.00 |
Protection order petitions for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and anti-harassment carry no filing fee under RCW 7.105.065.
Marriage and Divorce Records
The Grant County Auditor's Office maintains marriage records. You can request them in person or by mail at:
Grant County Auditor's Office
Address: 35 C Street NW, P.O. Box 37, Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2014 or (509) 754-2011, ext. 2701
The Washington Department of Health holds statewide marriage and divorce records from 1968 forward. To request a certified copy, complete a Marriage/Divorce Certificate Order Form and mail it with a $25 fee (check or money order payable to Department of Health) to: Department of Health, P.O. Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507-9709.
Divorce court case records are kept by the Grant County Clerk. You can request copies using the Superior Court Information Request Form. Family law documents are subject to restricted access under GR 22 — financial source documents, health care records, relocation notices, and certain evaluations are not publicly viewable without a court order.
Birth and Death Records
The Grant County Health Department holds local birth and death records from 1907. Only qualified applicants — the record subject, spouse, immediate family members, legal representatives, government agencies, or court personnel — may obtain certified copies. Submit requests online through the Vital Records Request portal, in person, or by mail. The fee is $25 for a certified copy. Applications must include acceptable proof of identification and documentation of eligibility.
Grant County Health Department
Address: 1038 West Ivy Avenue, Moses Lake, WA 98837
The Department of Health also processes vital records requests statewide using separate Birth Certificate and Death Certificate order forms. Noncertified informational copies are available to the general public through an Informational Copies Order Form.
Grant County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Grant County fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. These cases cover estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, trust proceedings, and related disputes. The Grant County Clerk maintains all probate case records.
Probate Filing Fees (Effective June 11, 2026)
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Surcharges | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estate (probate) | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Guardianship/conservatorship | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Minor guardianship/emergency minor guardianship | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Adoption (1 child per case) | $200.00 | $90.00 + $20.00 facilitator | $310.00 |
| Termination of parent-child relationship | $200.00 | $90.00 + $20.00 facilitator | $310.00 |
| Non-probate notice to creditors | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Will only (after death, no probate) | $20.00 | $20.00 | |
| Will repository (before death) | $20.00 | $20.00 | |
| Registration of trust filing | $200.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
| Registration of trust — certificate of registration | $5.00 | $5.00 + copy fees | |
| Letters of office/administration/testamentary | $5.00 | $5.00 (includes 1 certified copy) | |
| Certificate of qualification | $5.00 | $5.00 |
Fee exemptions apply in certain guardianship and conservatorship situations. Under RCW 11.130.170, the Attorney General is not required to prepay filing fees when filing these cases, though costs may be ordered paid by the estate. No filing fee applies when the respondent's assets are less than $3,000, and minor guardianship filings by blood relatives are also exempt.
Accessing Probate Records
Search probate records online through the Washington Courts Case Search or the Odyssey Portal. To obtain copies, submit the Superior Court Information Request Form to the Grant County Clerk at 35 C Street NW, P.O. Box 37, Ephrata, WA 98823. Standard copy fees apply — $0.50 per page for non-certified copies, or $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page of certified copies. The Grant County Clerk also has a forms page with probate and estate-related forms, and the Lay Guardians Information guide offers practical guidance for individuals appointed as non-professional guardians.
Small estate affidavits are not filed with the Clerk's office in Grant County. If you're interested in that process, do-it-yourself instructions are available at washingtonlawhelp.org.