Grant County Court Records
What Is Grant County Court Records
Court records in Grant County, Washington, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Each document type serves a distinct function within the judicial process: docket sheets provide a chronological index of all filings and hearings in a case, while pleadings and motions capture the arguments submitted by parties, and judgments and orders reflect the court's official rulings.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by Grant County. Property records, for example, are held by the County Assessor and Treasurer, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the Washington State Department of Health. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are maintained by the clerk of the relevant court.
The following courts in Grant County currently maintain court records:
- Grant County Superior Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $100,000, family law, probate, and juvenile matters
- Grant County District Court — handles misdemeanors, infractions, civil claims up to $100,000, and small claims
- Municipal Courts — operated by individual cities such as Ephrata and Moses Lake, handling violations of local ordinances and traffic infractions
Records maintained across these courts cover civil, criminal, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims matters. Under RCW § 2.32.050, the clerk of the superior court is charged with the custody and maintenance of all court records filed within that court's jurisdiction.
Are Court Records Public In Grant County
Court records in Grant County are presumptively open to the public under Washington State law. The Washington Public Records Act, RCW § 42.56, establishes a broad right of public access to government records, including judicial documents. Additionally, the Washington State Supreme Court's General Rule 31 governs access to court records specifically, affirming that most court records are available for public inspection and copying.
The following categories of records are generally accessible to members of the public:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets and hearing schedules
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
It is important to note the distinction between state and federal court records. Grant County courts are state courts operating under Washington law. Federal court records for cases filed in the Eastern District of Washington are maintained separately through the federal PACER system and are not subject to Washington's Public Records Act.
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under current law, including records sealed by court order, juvenile offender records, mental health commitment records, and documents containing sensitive personal identifiers. The Grant County Public Records page provides guidance on submitting records requests and identifying exempt categories.
How To Find Court Records in Grant County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Grant County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the court in which the case was filed and the type of record sought.
In-Person Access:
- Visit the Grant County Superior Court Clerk's office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Provide the case number, party name, or other identifying information to staff
- Request inspection or certified copies of the desired records
- Pay applicable copying and certification fees at the time of request
By Mail:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk's office
- Include the full case number or party name, the type of record requested, and a return mailing address
- Enclose payment for applicable fees or request a fee estimate in advance
Online:
- Use the Washington Courts case search portals described in the section below
- Access docket information and case summaries without visiting the courthouse
When submitting any request, members of the public are advised to identify records with specificity. The county's public records guidance provides an example of a properly identified request: "Requesting a copy of the Grant County Sheriff's Office police report for case number 24GS01234."
How To Look Up Court Records in Grant County Online?
Washington State currently provides several online portals through which members of the public may search court records, including those originating in Grant County.
Washington Courts Case Search (Judicial Information System):
The Washington Courts case search portal allows users to search case records from Grant County Superior Court and Grant County District Court. To conduct a search:
- Navigate to the portal and accept the terms of use
- Select the court type (Superior Court or Courts of Limited Jurisdiction)
- Enter the party's name, case number, or attorney name
- Review the list of matching results and select the relevant case
- View available case summary information, including hearing dates, charges, and dispositions
Washington State Courts Name and Case Search:
The Washington State Courts name and case search tool provides an additional interface for locating case information by party name across multiple Washington courts. Users should note that information retrieved through this portal is provided for reference purposes only and does not constitute the official court record.
Grant County District Court Online Resources:
Information regarding Grant County District Court proceedings, including court schedules and contact information, is available through the county's official website.
How To Search Grant County Court Records for Free?
Washington State law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public court records at no charge. Under RCW § 42.56.080, agencies may charge fees only for the actual cost of copying records; inspection of records in person is free of charge.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- In-person inspection at the Grant County Superior Court Clerk's office and Grant County District Court — no fee is assessed for viewing records on-site
- Washington Courts case search portal — free to search; no account or subscription required
- Washington State Courts name and case search — free public access to case summary information
- Grant County court docket information — the county's court calendar and docket page provides free access to scheduled hearings and docket updates
Fees may apply when requesting certified copies, paper reproductions, or electronic copies of specific documents. The applicable fee schedule is maintained by each court clerk's office.
What's Included in a Grant County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging documents (complaints, informations, indictments)
- Arrest and booking information
- Bail and bond orders
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts and exhibits
- Verdict forms and judgment and sentence documents
- Probation and supervision orders
Civil Case Records:
- Complaints and summonses
- Answers and counterclaims
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Discovery-related filings (where not sealed)
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgments and decrees
Family Law Records:
- Petitions for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
- Parenting plans and custody orders
- Child support orders
- Domestic violence protection orders (subject to applicable restrictions)
Probate Records:
- Petitions for probate of wills
- Inventories of estate assets
- Orders appointing personal representatives
- Final decrees of distribution
Traffic and Infraction Records:
- Notice of infraction
- Hearing requests and dispositions
- Payment records and default judgments
Small Claims Records:
- Claims filed by plaintiffs
- Defendant responses
- Judgment orders
How Long Does Grant County Keep Court Records?
Grant County courts retain records in accordance with the Washington State retention schedules established by the Washington State Archives and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.
Current retention periods for common record categories include:
- Felony criminal case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor case files: Minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Civil case files (Superior Court): Minimum of 10 years; permanent for cases involving significant legal precedent
- Family law and dissolution records: Permanent retention
- Probate records: Permanent retention
- Traffic infraction records: Minimum of 3 years
- Small claims records: Minimum of 3 years following final disposition
- Juvenile offender records: Subject to special retention and sealing rules under RCW § 13.50
The Washington State Archives publishes the official Local Government Common Records Retention Schedule, which governs the minimum retention periods applicable to county court records. Individual courts may retain records beyond the minimum period at their discretion.
Types of Courts In Grant County
Grant County's judicial system operates within the Washington State court hierarchy, which proceeds from courts of limited jurisdiction at the local level through the Superior Court, the Court of Appeals, and ultimately the Washington State Supreme Court.
Grant County Superior Court
Grant County Superior Court 35 C Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-2011 Grant County Superior Court
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction handling felony criminal matters, civil cases exceeding $100,000, family law proceedings, probate, and juvenile matters.
Grant County District Court
Grant County District Court 35 C Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-2011 Grant County District Court
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction handling misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, civil claims up to $100,000, small claims, and traffic infractions.
Moses Lake Municipal Court
Moses Lake Municipal Court 401 S Balsam Street, Moses Lake, WA 98837 (509) 764-3750 Moses Lake Municipal Court
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ephrata Municipal Court
Ephrata Municipal Court 121 Alder Street SW, Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-4601 Ephrata Municipal Court
The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III, serves as the intermediate appellate court for Grant County. The Washington State Supreme Court serves as the court of last resort for all Washington state matters.
What Types of Cases Do Grant County Courts Hear?
Each court within Grant County's judicial system exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases.
Grant County Superior Court hears:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes involving amounts exceeding $100,000
- Dissolution of marriage and legal separation
- Child custody and parenting plan proceedings
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship proceedings
- Juvenile offender and dependency matters
- Appeals from District and Municipal Courts
Grant County District Court hears:
- Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil claims up to $100,000
- Small claims matters up to $10,000
- Traffic infractions and violations
- Domestic violence protection order petitions (initial hearings)
- Landlord-tenant disputes within jurisdictional limits
Municipal Courts (Moses Lake, Ephrata, and others) hear:
- Violations of city ordinances
- Traffic infractions occurring within city limits
- Misdemeanor offenses occurring within city limits
How To Find a Court Docket In Grant County
A court docket is the official schedule of hearings and proceedings for a given court or case. Members of the public may access Grant County court dockets through the following methods.
Online Access:
The county's court calendar and docket information page provides current docket schedules for Grant County courts. Dockets are updated regularly and are subject to change; members of the public are advised to verify hearing information prior to attending court.
The Washington Courts case search portal also displays case-level docket entries, including scheduled hearing dates and past proceedings, for cases filed in Grant County Superior Court and District Court.
In-Person Access:
- Members of the public may request docket information directly from the court clerk's office during regular business hours
- Docket sheets for specific cases may be inspected at no charge pursuant to RCW § 42.56.080
By Telephone:
- The Grant County Superior Court and District Court clerk's offices may be contacted by telephone to confirm scheduled hearing dates for specific cases
Which Courts in Grant County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, and whose judgments carry legal authority that may be appealed to a higher court. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and generally handle minor matters with limited appellate review.
Under Washington law, courts of limited jurisdiction — including District Courts and Municipal Courts — are designated as courts of record when they maintain an official record of proceedings. However, certain proceedings within these courts, particularly informal small claims hearings, may not generate a full verbatim record in the same manner as Superior Court proceedings.
Washington's court structure is defined under RCW § 3.02.010 and related statutes, which establish District Courts as courts of record. Municipal courts operating under city authority are similarly governed by RCW Chapter 3.50. In practice, Grant County's District Court and Municipal Courts maintain official records of their proceedings, though the depth and format of those records may differ from Superior Court records.
Members of the public seeking to determine whether a specific proceeding was recorded or transcribed should direct inquiries to the clerk of the relevant court.