Grant County Civil Court Records Search
Grant County civil court records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk at 35 C Street NW in Ephrata and are accessible online through the Odyssey Portal, with in-person and mail request options also available Monday through Friday.
Grant County Court Quick Facts
- County Seat: Ephrata
- Main Phone: (509) 754-2011
- Clerk's Office: (509) 754-2011 ext. 2701
- Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Copy Fee: $0.50 per page (non-certified)
- Certified Copy: $5.00 first page + $1.00 each additional page
- Electronic Copy: $0.25 per page
- Address: 35 C Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823
Grant County Civil Court Records Online
Grant County uses the Odyssey Portal for online case access. Visit odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov and create a free public account to search civil court records. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show case status, party names, docket entries, filing dates, and upcoming hearing dates. The portal is the fastest way to check on active cases without calling the clerk's office.
The Washington Courts statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov covers Grant County as well. This free tool requires no account and searches civil, criminal, and family law cases across Washington counties. It's a good starting point if you're not sure which court in Grant County handled a case. Results from both Superior Court and District Court appear together in a single search.
Public access terminals are available at the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata. If you prefer to search in person, you can use the courthouse terminal during regular business hours at no cost. Staff at the clerk's office can help if you run into trouble locating a specific case.
Note: Records filed before the Odyssey Portal was implemented may not appear in the online system. Contact the clerk at (509) 754-2011 ext. 2701 to ask about older case files.
Superior Court Clerk Office, Ephrata
The Grant County Superior Court Clerk maintains all civil court records for the county. The office is at 35 C Street NW in Ephrata. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can locate case numbers, confirm filing dates, and pull documents from the file room. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours.
You can request records in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. For mail requests, include the case number or full names of the parties, the specific documents you need, and payment. Make checks out to Grant County Clerk. Calling the clerk's office at (509) 754-2011 ext. 2701 before sending a mail request helps you get the right page count and send the correct amount.
Viewing records at the courthouse is free under Washington General Rule 31. You only pay for copies to take home. The Grant County Clerk's office also handles court forms and can point you to self-help resources if you're working on a civil case without an attorney. Court forms are also available online at courts.wa.gov/forms.
What Civil Court Records Contain
Grant County Superior Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $100,000. It also handles domestic relations matters such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, and parenting plan modifications. Probate and estate cases, guardianships, juvenile matters, and felony criminal proceedings all go through Superior Court as well.
Each civil file typically contains the original complaint or petition, responses filed by the other side, all motions and supporting documents, court orders issued during the case, signed final judgments, and any appeal notices. Family law cases also include financial disclosure forms. The clerk's index shows every document filed in the case and the date each was filed.
Smaller civil matters go through Grant County District Court rather than Superior Court. District Court handles civil cases up to $100,000, small claims up to $10,000, misdemeanor charges, and traffic infractions. District Court records are kept separately from Superior Court records but can be searched at the same time through the statewide courts portal. Moses Lake, the largest city in Grant County, is served by the same county court system based in Ephrata.
Note: Adoptions, juvenile non-offender matters, mental illness commitments, and sealed cases are restricted from public access under Washington court rules.
Requesting Copies and Fees
Grant County uses the standard Washington court copy fee schedule. Non-certified paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Electronic copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Certified copies carry an official court seal and deputy clerk signature. Banks, government agencies, and some employers require certified copies rather than plain photocopies for certain legal and financial purposes.
Pay in person by cash, check, or money order. Mail requests need a check made out to Grant County Clerk. The research page on the county website can also accept email inquiries. Confirm the page count before sending payment if possible. Requests with short payment are held until the full amount is received. Viewing records at the courthouse is always free.
- Non-certified paper copy: $0.50 per page
- Electronic copy: $0.25 per page
- Certified copy: $5.00 first page + $1.00 each additional
- Viewing records in person: Free
GR 31 and Public Access
Washington General Rule 31 (GR 31) governs public access to court records statewide, including those in Grant County. The rule is separate from the Public Records Act, which covers executive branch agencies rather than courts. Under GR 31, most civil court records are open to the public for free viewing at the courthouse or through online portals. Courts can restrict specific documents if a party files a motion and a judge agrees that privacy or safety concerns outweigh the public's interest in access.
GR 31 also addresses the scope of online access, drawing a distinction between what can be viewed online and what must be reviewed in person. Certain case types are restricted by default under the rule, including records involving minors in some proceedings and mental health matters. For ordinary civil cases, the full file is usually available without restriction. If you think a record has been wrongly restricted, Washington court rules provide a process to challenge that determination.
Court Forms and Legal Help
Washington State provides free court forms for most civil case types at courts.wa.gov/forms. The site includes form packets for divorce, child custody, guardianship, name changes, small claims, and protection orders. Instructions come with each packet and are written for people who don't have an attorney.
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org covers most civil legal topics in plain language and can help you understand court documents and procedures. The Northwest Justice Project at nwjustice.org provides free legal assistance to low-income Washington residents and can help Grant County residents with civil legal matters, including questions about court records and how to file civil cases.
Washington State Digital Archives
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds older Grant County civil court records that predate the Odyssey Portal. These historical records are free to search and view online. The archive is maintained by the Washington Secretary of State and covers civil case files, judgment records, and other court documents from earlier years in Grant County's history.
For records that fall between the digital archive collection and the current online portal, contact the clerk's office directly. Some older records may exist on microfilm. The clerk can confirm whether a specific record is available and what format it's in before you visit in person or send a mail request.
Cities in Grant County
Moses Lake is the largest city in Grant County and the only qualifying city with its own records page.
Nearby Counties
Grant County borders several central and eastern Washington counties. Each has its own Superior Court Clerk and courthouse.