Grant County Court Records Search
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Grant County is located in central Washington State, with its county seat in Ephrata. The county’s judicial system includes the Grant County Superior Court, a countywide District Court operating from 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, while the District Court manages misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims, and civil cases up to $100,000. Court records generated across these proceedings are maintained by the Grant County Clerk and District Court staff and can be accessed through a combination of online tools, in-person visits, and written requests.
Washington State offers several resources for searching court case information. Records can be located through local clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and online case search tools maintained by the state judiciary. WashingtonStateCourts.us provides access to case search systems, court directories, forms, and general information that may help individuals find publicly available case data for Grant County and other jurisdictions statewide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Grant County?
Grant County court cases can be searched using two primary online systems. The Washington Courts Case Search allows users to look up cases filed in municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts by entering a name or case number. For Grant County Superior Court records specifically, the Odyssey Portal provides another avenue for searching case information electronically. An annual registration fee of $25 per agency or law firm applies for Odyssey Portal access, and users must 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 |
Payments may be made with cash, cashier’s check, law firm check, personal check, money order, or debit/credit card. Checks should be made payable to Grant County Clerk. Filing fees, ex parte fees, and certified copy fees must be submitted as separate checks. All fees are paid in advance under RCW 36.18.060, and no refunds are given. When making mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and your email address to help the office contact you if necessary.
Are Court Records Public in Grant County?
Under Washington’s General Rule 31 (GR 31), all court records are open to the public except where restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. There is no fee to view court documents at the courthouse, though copy fees apply when obtaining 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, termination of parental rights, per RCW 13.50.100
- Records sealed by judicial order
Family law and guardianship cases carry additional access restrictions under GR 22. Restricted documents in these case types include the Confidential Information Form, sealed financial source documents (tax returns, wage stubs, bank statements), sealed personal health care records, retirement plan orders, relocation notices, and detailed portions of certain evaluations and guardian ad litem reports. Individuals seeking access to restricted family law documents must 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 governs the destruction, sealing, and redaction of court records. Personal identifiers such as 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 are handled at multiple court levels. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over felony cases, while the District Court manages 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
Criminal court case information can be searched through the Washington Courts Case Search portal. Note that this search tool provides case management information and is not a complete criminal record check.
Criminal History Background Checks
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) maintains the state’s criminal history records. Background checks can be obtained through several methods:
- Online — Use the WATCH portal (Washington Access to Criminal History). Each search costs $11 and accepts credit or debit card payments. Results from the online system are unverified. To verify results, place the right thumbprint of the subject on the lower right corner of the report and submit 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. Payment can be made by check, money order, or Bank Card Authorization Form.
- Walk-in — Submit the completed form and payment in person at 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 conducted through the Sheriff’s Office reflect only Grant County Sheriff’s records and do not include information from other agencies.
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 in Grant County are maintained by the Grant County Clerk for Superior Court matters and by the District Court for cases within its jurisdiction. The Superior Court handles civil disputes involving any dollar amount, while District Court civil jurisdiction is concurrent with the Superior Court for claims up to $100,000. Small claims in District Court are limited to $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 governed by RCW 36.18.016 and RCW 36.18.020. The complete Grant County Clerk’s Fee Schedule lists all current fees. A fee waiver may be available for indigent parties through a Petition for Waiver of Civil Filing Fees under GR 34.
Civil records can be searched through the Washington Courts Case Search or requested 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. These proceedings 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. The District Court judges are also appointed as Superior Court Commissioners, enabling them to sign temporary and preliminary orders in family law cases.
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. Requests can be made in person or by mail to:
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 maintains statewide marriage and divorce records from 1968 forward. Certified copies can be requested by completing a Marriage/Divorce Certificate Order Form and submitting 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 maintained by the Grant County Clerk. Copies can be requested using the Superior Court Information Request Form. Family law documents are subject to restricted access rules under GR 22, meaning that 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. Requests can be submitted 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 encompass 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 exist for certain guardianship and conservatorship filings. 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
Probate records can be searched 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 subsequent 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 provides helpful guidance for individuals appointed as non-professional guardians.
Small estate affidavits are not filed with the Clerk’s office in Grant County. Individuals interested in this process can find do-it-yourself instructions at washingtonlawhelp.org.