Grant County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Grant County?

Public records in Grant County, Washington, are defined under RCW § 42.56.010 as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency. This definition encompasses a broad range of documents, data, and recordings maintained by county offices and agencies.

Members of the public may access the following categories of records through the appropriate Grant County office:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files are maintained by the Grant County Superior Court and District Court. Members of the public may use the Washington Courts case search portal to locate case information online.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Grant County Auditor's Office. Property assessment records are held by the Grant County Assessor's Office.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are filed with the Grant County Auditor's Office and the Washington State Department of Health.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are processed through the Grant County Auditor's Office and the Washington Secretary of State.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Grant County Treasurer and Assessor's Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are held by the Grant County Auditor's Elections Division.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Board of County Commissioners, planning boards, and other public bodies are available through the Grant County Clerk's Office and the county's official website.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are maintained by the Grant County Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs, incident reports, and collision reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Grant County Sheriff's Office Records Unit.
Land use and zoning records — Permits, zoning maps, and land use applications are maintained by the Grant County Planning Department.

The county's central public records portal provides guidance on identifying and requesting records from the appropriate department.

Is Grant County an Open Records County?

Grant County fully complies with Washington State's Public Records Act, codified at RCW § 42.56, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public disclosure. Under this statute, all public records are presumed to be open and available for inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. The Act further requires agencies to respond to records requests within five business days, either by providing the records, acknowledging the request and providing a reasonable estimate of when records will be available, or denying the request with a written explanation citing the applicable exemption.

Grant County has adopted internal policies consistent with state law to govern the processing of public records requests. The county's administrative public records request procedures outline how the Public Records Officer tracks, logs, and responds to all incoming requests, including documentation of exemptions claimed and communications with requestors. These procedures reflect the county's commitment to transparency and compliance with Washington's sunshine laws.

How to Find Public Records in Grant County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Grant County public records by following these steps:

Identify the record and the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record being sought. For example, law enforcement reports are held by the Sheriff's Office, while property documents are held by the Auditor's Office.
Submit a written request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by email, or through the county's online portal. The county recommends clearly identifying the record by type, date range, case number, or other specific details. An example of a properly identified request would be: "Requesting a copy of the Grant County Sheriff's Office police report for case number 24GS01234."
Use the online request system. The Grant County public records request page provides access to the online submission form and instructions for each department.
Await agency response. Under RCW § 42.56.520, the agency must respond within five business days of receiving the request.
Review and receive records. Upon fulfillment, records may be inspected in person at no charge or provided as copies subject to applicable fees.
Search historical records online. The Washington State Archives Digital Archives provides online access to digitized historical records from Grant County and other Washington jurisdictions, including older court, land, and vital records.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Grant County?

Grant County charges fees for the reproduction of public records in accordance with RCW § 42.56.120, which governs the fees agencies may charge for providing copies of public records. Current standard fees applicable to most county offices include:

Paper copies: Fifteen cents ($0.15) per page for standard black-and-white copies
Scanning to electronic format: Ten cents ($0.10) per page when the agency must scan paper records
Electronic records transmitted via USB or other media: The actual cost of the storage device
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; vital records and recorded documents carry specific statutory fees set by the Auditor's Office
Specialized records: Fees for maps, oversized documents, or records requiring extensive staff time may differ from standard rates

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to Grant County. Requestors are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office fulfilling the request. Under current law, agencies may require a deposit for large requests estimated to exceed the standard per-page fee threshold. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Washington law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.

Does Grant County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no charge under Washington's Public Records Act, provided that inspection does not require the agency to produce copies. Several categories of records are also available at no cost through official online platforms:

Court case information is searchable at no charge through the Washington Courts case search tool, which includes Grant County Superior Court records.
Historical and digitized records from Grant County are accessible without charge through the Washington State Archives Digital Archives, which hosts electronic records from both state and local government agencies.
Sheriff's Office records information, including guidance on obtaining reports, is available through the Grant County Sheriff's Records Unit page, where requestors may review procedures before submitting a formal request.
County administrative records, including meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and commission documents, are published on the Grant County official website and may be viewed at no cost.

In-person inspection of records at county offices is available during regular business hours without a copying fee, as long as the requestor does not require reproductions.

Who Can Request Public Records in Grant County?

Any person may request public records from Grant County agencies under Washington's Public Records Act. The statute does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or organizational affiliation. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Grant County and non-residents of Washington State retain the same right of access as county residents.
Identification is generally not required. Agencies may not condition the release of non-exempt records on the requestor providing personal identification.
Purpose need not be stated. Requestors are not required to explain why they are seeking a record, except in limited circumstances involving records subject to specific statutory restrictions.
Requesting records about oneself vs. others. Individuals requesting their own records, such as criminal history background checks, may be subject to identity verification requirements. The Grant County Sheriff's Records Unit provides guidance on criminal history background check procedures, which require the subject's consent and identification.
Restrictions for specific record types. Certain records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and records containing protected personal information, are subject to access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.

Pursuant to RCW § 42.56.080, agencies may not distinguish between categories of requestors when applying the Public Records Act's disclosure requirements.

What Records Are Confidential in Grant County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Washington law establishes numerous exemptions under RCW § 42.56 and related statutes that protect certain categories of information from release. The following records are currently exempt from public disclosure in Grant County:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under RCW § 13.50.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled for active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would jeopardize the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical and health records — Records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy laws are exempt from disclosure.
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services are confidential under RCW § 74.13.
Personnel records — Certain employee records are exempt, though records relating to public employee misconduct findings may be subject to disclosure.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to the county in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld.
Security and infrastructure plans — Documents detailing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure or security systems are exempt from disclosure.

When an agency withholds a record or portion of a record, it is required to provide a written explanation identifying the specific exemption relied upon and, where applicable, to apply a balancing test weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interest in withholding.

Grant County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Grant County Auditor's Office serves as the county recorder, maintaining official records of property transactions, vital records, and elections. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail or online.

Grant County Auditor's Office 35 C St NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-2011 Grant County Auditor's Office

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.

Grant County Sheriff's Office 411 South Balsam Street, Moses Lake, WA 98837 (509) 762-1160 Grant County Sheriff's Office

Grant County Superior Court Clerk 35 C St NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-2011 Grant County Superior Court

Public counter hours for the Superior Court Clerk are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding court holidays.

Grant County Assessor's Office 35 C St NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-2011 Grant County Assessor's Office