Direct links to official Grant County, Washington public records: courts, criminal, vital, property, business, licenses, and more.
Searching Grant County: what to expect
Grant County publishes some records directly — 2 local sources below — and leans on state systems for the rest. You don't need a county-level docket here — Washington courts are searchable statewide, mapped on our Washington court records page. Two local sources do most of the work — grantcountywa.gov for parcel and property-tax data, co.grant.wa.us for deeds and recorded documents. The county posts nothing for criminal records, so that search runs through the statewide sources on our Washington criminal records page.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Grant County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Washington state publishers on the review date. 4 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Grant County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Grant County, Washington — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
104,717
Population
Census estimate
33,666
Households
Census estimate
$66,387
Median income
Annual household
$244,500
Median home value
Census ACS
Ephrata
County seat
In Washington
Grant County Records Availability Map
Criminal records
2 sources
Court records
1 source
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
3 sources
Vital records
see state portal
Voter records
2 sources
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
1 source
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Step 1 — Start at the Grant County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Grant County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Washington statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Washington state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
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Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Grant County Records
MYTH"Grant County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Grant County are held by the Washington state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Grant County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have Grant County data."
FACTOnly the official Washington state repository has verified, current Grant County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Grant County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Grant County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives is the first Digital Archives in the nation to Preserve the electronic Records of both State and Local Government.
Property research in Grant County starts here: parcels, assessments, and tax detail. If a link breaks, the office homepage at grantcountywa.gov carries the new path.
The only law enforcement agency we provide records for is the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. For all other law enforcement agencies (Moses Lake Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Ephrata Police Department, etc.) you will need to reach out to them directly to request their records.
The Records Unit is staffed with six support staff. The Records Unit has the responsibility to maintain and file all reports taken by the Sheriff's Office, as well as compiling statistical information .
The Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section (WASIS) has established this web site as the official Internet source providing criminal history conviction records for the state of Washington only .
Official public records resource for Grant County, Washington. Older material may require an in-person visit or a mailed request. It is the authoritative source for this record type in its jurisdiction.
Local-history and genealogy holdings for Grant County — older records and obituary indexes often surface here first. It is an official government source.
The mission of Grant County is to meet current and future needs, serving together with public and private entities, while fostering a respectful and successful work environment .
Property assessment records for Grant County, Washington. Tax amounts and payment status typically link from the same record. Building sketches and photos ride along with many property cards.
Business filing records for Washington. Filings show registered agents, status, and history — the paper trail behind any company name. It is the first stop for confirming a business is real, active, and who stands behind it.
Washington's vital records office — how to order birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, who qualifies, and current fees at the Department of Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Grant County?
Grant County court cases are searchable through the Washington Courts - Search Case Records portal: https://dw.courts.wa.gov/. Washington also operates a state-level case lookup through the WA Courts system. For federal matters, see PACER.
Can my employer see a sealed record in Washington?
Generally, most private employers running a standard name-based check cannot see a sealed Washington record. However, government employers, law enforcement, schools, healthcare facilities, and any role requiring a fingerprint-based check can see sealed records under specific statutory exemptions. Confirm specifics with the sealing court.
Does an active warrant show up on a background check in Washington?
Yes. Active warrants in Washington appear on name-based criminal background checks through the Washington State Patrol system the moment they are entered. Some employers also run a separate NCIC warrant query, which catches federal warrants as well.
Will a criminal conviction lead to deportation?
It depends on the offense, the person's immigration status, and current federal enforcement priorities. Aggravated felonies and crimes of moral turpitude carry the highest immigration risk. Even a sealed or expunged state conviction may still count under federal immigration law. Consult an immigration attorney.