Grant County Court Records Lookup

Grant County Courts, WA *

The courts in Grant County, located in the center of Washington State, hear a variety of case types, including traffic violations, small claims proceedings, felony trials, family law, and juvenile cases. The various kinds of civil cases heard in Grant County include issues of landlord-tenant disputes, property dispute resolution, personal injury cases, and family court cases such as divorces and custody hearings. Court records provide employers, landlords, and attorneys with a vital resource in screening candidates before hiring, confirming rental histories, or preparing litigation. For individuals looking to file a case or acquire court records in the county, it becomes advantageous to have knowledge about the court system and the proper place to file a specific type of case.

How to Access Grant County Court Records

Online Access

The Washington Courts Case Search is the main search tool for Grant County court cases and is available for Superior, District, and Municipal court cases statewide. The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal provides detailed Superior Court case information and docket records. Records for the Superior Court are kept by the Grant County Clerk's Office, and written requests for records will be accepted. Searching will be more efficient with a party name, case number, or an approximate filing date.

Alternative Online Options

CourtCaseFinder provides a useful resource to individuals in cases where they do not know the proper venue or where records are incomplete. It consolidates public records from courts in Washington and nationwide into a single resource that covers court cases, arrest records, divorce, and various other public records, where cases cross jurisdiction lines.

In-Person Requests

To obtain certified copies, or if a record is not online, visit the Grant County Clerk's Office in the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata. The Clerk's staff can also assist with retrieving physical case files, certified copy searches, and archived files. It will be easier to find a particular case file if someone has the case party names, case number, or the filing date.

Archived Records

Older Grant County court records may not be available online. The Clerk's Office is the repository of historical records and is the initial point of contact for older cases. Other court records from Grant County are available from the State Archives of Washington, which holds additional archived records not retained in the county courthouse.

Overview of the Grant County Court System

Grant County courts are part of the state of Washington's unified state court system and are governed by the Washington Supreme Court. It consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Superior Courts, and the District Courts.

There are two main types of trial courts in Grant County: Superior Court, which is the more serious and complex court, and District Court, which is a more routine court. The District Court is located in Ephrata and Moses Lake, and holds Municipal Court jurisdiction for 11 cities and towns pursuant to interlocal agreements. District Court judges take turns handling these cases.

Types of Courts in Grant County, Washington

Superior Court

The Superior Court is the County's highest level trial court. It deals with felony criminal charges, large civil cases, family law issues such as divorce, custody, and adoption, and juvenile and probate cases. The court also serves as the court of appeal for cases from the District Court. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all Superior Court records, oversees jury services, and handles passport applications for the county.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Felony charges
• Civil claims above $100,000 (shared jurisdiction for cases between $10,000 and $100,000)
• Divorce, custody, adoption, and family law matters
• Probate, guardianships, and estate matters
• Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases
• Appeals from the District Court

Primary Location: Grant County Courthouse, Ephrata

District Court

The District Court is for everyday cases, such as misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil and small claims, and civil protection orders. It also conducts preliminary felony hearings before they are transferred to Superior Court. District Court judges may be appointed as Superior Court Commissioners for the purposes of signing temporary orders and sitting in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court when necessary.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases
• Traffic infractions and violations
• Civil cases up to $100,000 (shared jurisdiction for cases between $10,000 and $100,000)
• Small claims cases up to $10,000
• Civil protection orders and preliminary felony hearings
• Municipal court functions for Ephrata, Coulee City, George, Grand Coulee, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Warden, Royal City, Electric City, Soap Lake, and Quincy

Primary Location: Grant County Courthouse, Ephrata (also Moses Lake)

How to File a Case in Grant County

It is important to know and stick to all the steps of filing a civil case in Grant County. The steps below apply only to civil matters, as criminal cases are initiated by the prosecutor's office.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

The first step is to determine which court has jurisdiction. Civil cases over $100,000 are heard in Superior Court, and smaller civil cases and small claims cases are heard in District Court. Cases in the small claims division are capped at $10,000 and are meant to be handled without an attorney. Divorce, custody, and adoption cases are always litigated in superior court. When unclear which court to go to, contacting the clerk's office directly is the best action.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

The Washington Courts forms page and the Washington LawHelp website have court forms and plain language filing instructions. Superior Court cases typically begin with a summons and complaint, while the District Court small claims forms are meant for filers who are representing themselves. Taking the time to read through all the instructions and fill in every section that is required before heading to the courthouse will help to avoid delays.

Step 3: File the Case

Completed forms are filed at the clerk's office of the appropriate court. Additionally, eligible types of cases can be e-filed by attorneys or some self-represented individuals through the Washington Courts e-filing portal. Superior Court filings go to the Grant County Clerk's Office at the Ephrata courthouse, and District Court filings can be handled at either the Ephrata or Moses Lake location.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

The filing fees in Washington depend on the type of case and court jurisdiction. The filer can apply for a fee waiver known as an Order of Indigency in Washington if they are unable to afford the fees. The clerk's office or the Washington Courts self-help page can give information on how to request a waiver. To obtain it, the filer must show financial hardship for the court to consider.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

Once filed, the defendant must be formally notified by service of process. Service can be effected by a process server, a county sheriff, or certified mail in Grant County, depending on the type of case. In order to get the case going, proof of service has to be filed with the court, and maintaining a good record of when and how the service was made is important.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

Superior Court cases are available on the Washington Courts Case Search or the Odyssey Portal. The Case Search function is available for searching for District Court cases. Hearings are held in the clerk's offices, and residents can reach out to them directly to check on the status of their hearing, dates, or if they require further steps.

Grant County Courthouse Directory

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

There are opportunities for meaningful free legal assistance available to residents of Grant County in a variety of situations and needs. The Northwest Justice Project (NJP) is the state's leading legal aid organization, providing free civil legal services to low-income people and families in housing, family law, public benefits, domestic violence, and immigration through its office in Wenatchee. The NJP also has targeted programs for farmworkers and Native Americans, who are large populations in Grant County. Free civil legal counsel is available to seniors 60 years and older, no matter how much income they have, via the NJP's dedicated senior intake line. The Washington State Attorney General's Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance (OMVLA) provides free counsel to veterans and service members regarding debt, benefits, family law, and housing issues.

New Hope Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services in Moses Lake offers free confidential assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes, and also assists with protection order forms, medical advocacy, safety planning, and emergency shelter. Residents can contact the 24-hour crisis line if need be. Both the Washington Courts Self-Help website and Washington LawHelp provide forms, procedures, and instructions in plain language, and clerk's offices at both locations can answer procedural questions and help find forms, but they cannot give legal advice. They can also refer to free legal programs statewide.

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