Grant County, Washington Court Records
Grant County court records refer to all the official documents created when county courts handle a case. These documents include case files, rulings, and orders pertaining to criminal, civil, family law, and probate matters. These records are maintained and managed by the County Clerk (RCW Chapter 36.23).
Court documents usually relate to other documents. Typically, an arrest occurs first, and after charges are brought, the arrest is included in the clerk's case file. Certain court cases, such as divorce cases, also relate to other documents kept by different government offices, including marriage or birth certificates.
Are Grant County Court Records Public?
Yes. In most cases, the public can access Grant County court records. The Washington Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56) mandates that unless a law or regulation says otherwise, government records, including many court records, must be made accessible for public viewing and copying.
However, the public cannot access certain records:
- Juvenile records
- Sealed records
- Adoption and paternity case files
- Victims of sexual assault records
- Documents related to protection orders against domestic abuse
- Records of involuntary commitment and mental health.
What Information is Available in Grant County Court Records?
Concerned persons searching Grant County court records will usually find the following information:
- Date of filing and case number
- Names of the parties involved
- Charges or the type of case
- Court dates and the results of the hearings
- Final decisions and judgments
- Details of the sentence, such as fines or jail time
- Details about bail or bonds
- Names of the prosecutor and attorney
- Status of the case
- Motions filed and docket entries
- Warrants related to the case
- Case history and appeals
- Orders for reimbursement or payment
Grant County Court Records Search
To find court records in Grant County, requestors need to know which court handled the case and choose the best way to request the records. The Superior Court handles felony, family law, and probate cases. The District Court handles traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and small claims.
Requestors have three main options: going online, showing up in person, or sending a request by mail:
Online Access
- The Washington State Courts website offers a free search tool covering Superior, District, and Municipal court cases across the state. Records update daily at 3:00 AM.
- Full case documents are not posted on this site and may be requested from the court that holds the file.
- The Odyssey Portal allows requestors to search Grant County Superior Court cases by name or case number.
- Generally, online access can change depending on the type of case. Family law and guardianship cases often contain sealed material, such as custody evaluations or abuse reports.
In-Person Access
- Superior Court records can be viewed at the Clerk's Office. Free public computers are available in this office for looking up dockets and documents.
- District Court records can also be viewed at the relevant courthouse.
- Juvenile case files are handled separately at the Juvenile Court building in Ephrata.
Mail and Phone Requests
- For documents linked to Superior Court cases, complete and mail theSuperior Court Information Request Form, or call the office at (509) 754-2011, ext. 2800.
- Mailed requests should include a payment of $15.00 minimum, charged per half-hour of search time. Requestors may be billed additional charges if the search runs past 30 minutes. Requests without payment will not be processed. Requestors may send the form with payment and, if needed, a return envelope. Send the completed request form with payment to:
Grant County Clerk's Office
35 C Street Northwest, Room 218 (only for hand delivery/shipping)
P.O. Box 37 (mailing address)
Ephrata, WA 98823
- Payment may be made by check, cashier's check, or money order, made out to the Grant County Clerk. Processing usually takes about ten business days after payment clears.
- For records linked to District Court cases, complete and mail the District Court Information Request Form, or call the office at (509) 754-2011, ext. 3101.
- Payment should be by cash, cashier's check, or credit card, and is non-refundable: non-certified copies ($0.50 per page), certified copies at $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page, CD copies ($10.00 per disc), and exceptional search or large project work costs $20.00 per hour plus copy fees. Send the completed request form and payment to:
Grant County District Court
P.O. Box 37
Ephrata, WA 98823.
Fees for Court Records in Grant County
The county's court records are available to the public at no cost. Fees only apply when copies, staff-assisted searches, or certified copies are requested:
- It costs nothing to view files
- Copies of documents: $1.25 per page
- $5.00 per search (if the requestor does not supply a case number)
- Certified copies sent by mail: $15 plus postage
- Prepayment is required if total cost exceeds $5
Grant County Courthouse Locations
The Grant County court system comprises a Superior Court with a Juvenile branch, a District Court with one branch, and 11 Municipal Courts. Below are all the courthouse addresses and contact information:
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 450-1128
Grant County Superior Court - Juvenile
303 Abel Road
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-5690
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone:(509) 754-2016
Grant County District Court - Moses Lake Branch
1525 East Wheeler Road
Moses Lake, WA 98837-9753
Phone: (509) 754-2011
Coulee City Municipal Court
501 West Main Street
PO Box 398,
Coulee City, WA 99115
Phone: (509) 632-5331
Electric City Municipal Court
10 Stevens Avenue
Electric City, WA 99123
Phone: (509) 633-1510
Ephrata Municipal Court
35 C Street Northwest, 3rd Floor
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2001, ext. 3101
George Municipal Court
102 Richmond Avenue
PO Box 5277
George, WA 98824
Phone: (509) 785-5081
Grand Coulee Municipal Court
306 Midway Avenue
Grand Coulee, WA 99133
Phone: (509) 633-1150
Mattawa Municipal Court
512 East Government Road
PO Box 965
Mattawa, WA 99349
Phone: (509) 932-4037
Moses Lake Municipal Court
401 S Balsam Street
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Phone: (509) 764-3713
Quincy Municipal Court
104 B Street SW, PO Box 338
Quincy, WA 98848
Phone: (509) 787-3523
Royal City Municipal Court
445 Camelia Street NE,
PO Box 1239,
Royal City, WA 99357
Phone: (509) 346-2263
Soap Lake Municipal Court
239 2nd Avenue Southeast
PO Box 1270
Soap Lake, WA 98851
Phone: (509) 246-1211
Warden Municipal Court
121 South Main Street
Warden, WA 98857
Phone: (509)-349-2326
Criminal Records Access in Grant County
The Washington State Patrol, not the Grant County courts, is responsible for conducting official statewide criminal history checks. However, county courts retain records of criminal cases filed within the county. There are two ways to locate local criminal case records:
- Court portals: To locate case numbers, charges, and hearing dates for county-filed cases, interested parties can use the online case lookup system.
- In-person searches: During regular business hours, interested parties can visit the Grant County Superior Court clerk's office to view records at public terminals or request copies.
Grant County Probate Records
Grant County probate records include all the paperwork created when someone dies or needs the court's help with personal or financial issues. Unless a court ruling forbids it, the public can see these records, which are stored at the Superior Court. Older records may only be accessible in paper copies at the courthouse, but recent documents can be searched online. Common types of probate records include the following:
- Wills: court documents that specify how a person wishes their property to be divided after death.
- Trusts: records designating someone to look after a minor or an adult who is incapacitated.
- Guardianships: records appointing someone to care for a minor or incapacitated adult
- Conservatorships: documents that designate a person to oversee the assets or finances of an individual who is incapable of doing so.
(Note:) Sensitive information such as adoption records and juvenile files is usually not open to public inspection.
Grant County Family Court Records
Access to family law records in Grant County Superior Court depends on the type of case. The accessibility of a Grant County Superior Court family law document depends on the nature of the case:
- Divorce: The public can view court documents, motions, and final divorce decrees. UnderGR 22, personal information such as account numbers and Social Security numbers is not public. The case's financial records and medical records are also sealed.
- Custody: Parenting plans and custody petitions are public. Under GR 22, reports from evaluators or caseworkers are divided into two sections: a sealed detailed version and a public summary.
- Adoption: RCW 26.33.330 seals these files. A judge's order is required before anyone, including the parties concerned, can examine the file.
- Support: Support orders are available to the public. Under GR 22, wage and tax data related to the case are sealed.
Basic information may be searched on the statewide Court Search system, but full documents are only available through the Odyssey Portal ($25 yearly registration fee) or in person at the Superior Court. Certified copies may be requested at the counter for a fee.
Federal Court Records in Grant County
Federal criminal and civil cases from Grant County are handled by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. These records document criminal charges, civil cases, bankruptcy filings, and immigration issues. The following procedures can be used by interested parties to get these records:
- PACER: Interested persons may search and view federal case records online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system, a paid federal database.
- Courthouse access: Interested persons may visit the federal courthouse in person to review records on public terminals