Moses Lake Divorce Decree Search
Moses Lake divorce decree records are filed at Grant County Superior Court in Ephrata, about 20 miles northwest of Moses Lake. Moses Lake is the largest city in Grant County, but Ephrata is the county seat and home to the Superior Court. All dissolution cases for Moses Lake residents go to that courthouse. The Grant County Clerk maintains the case files and handles record requests. You can search for dissolution records online through the Odyssey portal, or you can visit the Ephrata courthouse in person to review files and get certified copies.
Moses Lake Overview
Where Moses Lake Residents File Divorce
Moses Lake residents file for dissolution at Grant County Superior Court in Ephrata. This is the only court in Grant County that handles family law matters. Moses Lake Municipal Court deals with misdemeanors and civil infractions, not dissolution cases. For any dissolution filing or records request, Ephrata is where you need to go.
Ephrata is roughly a 20-minute drive from Moses Lake via US-28 West. The Grant County Courthouse is on C Street NW in Ephrata. The clerk's office is inside and handles all case filings, records requests, and certified copies.
| Office | Grant County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 C Street NW Ephrata, WA 98823 |
| Phone | (509) 754-2011 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | grantcountywa.gov/158/Superior-Court-Clerk |
Note: Moses Lake is Grant County's largest city, but the county seat and courthouse are in Ephrata. All family law filings and records for Moses Lake residents go to Ephrata regardless of the city's size.
The Odyssey Portal is the statewide case search system used by Grant County and most other Washington counties for dissolution record searches.
Grant County participates in the statewide Odyssey system. Moses Lake residents can use this tool to search dissolution case information before traveling to Ephrata.
How to Search Moses Lake Divorce Records
The Odyssey portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is the best starting point for online searches. Select Grant County from the location dropdown. You can then search by party name, case number, or filing date range. The portal shows case type, party names, and docket information for dissolution cases. It does not display the full documents without a paid download.
For in-person access, visit the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata. The clerk's staff can search by name or case number and pull the full case file. Certified copies are available the same day for cases that are already digitized. For older paper records, there may be a short wait while staff locates and copies the file.
Basic search information you will need:
- Full name of at least one party (last name, first name)
- Approximate filing year
- Case number if available
Mail requests can also be sent to the Grant County Clerk. Include both parties' names, the approximate filing year, and a description of the documents you need. Attach payment for the copy fees. Allow extra time for mailed requests.
Dissolution Filing Process for Moses Lake
Washington dissolution law under RCW Chapter 26.09 applies to all Moses Lake cases filed at Grant County Superior Court. The first step is meeting the residency requirement. Under RCW 26.09.030, at least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a service member stationed in the state. No minimum county residency period applies.
Washington is a no-fault state. The only required ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not need to allege or prove any specific cause. If one spouse states the marriage cannot be repaired, that is enough for the court to proceed. The court does not evaluate blame or fault in the dissolution decision itself.
After filing the Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the Ephrata courthouse, the other spouse must be served or must sign a Joinder. A 90-day waiting period then begins before the court can finalize the case. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can submit an agreed decree that moves through the process more quickly. Disputed cases may require mediation or hearings.
If there are minor children, a parenting plan is required as part of the final decree. Child support is calculated under the state guidelines in RCW Chapter 26.19. Property and debt acquired during the marriage are generally divided under community property rules per RCW 26.09.080.
Moses Lake Divorce Fees at Grant County Court
Grant County charges approximately $364 to file a new dissolution petition. This figure includes state-mandated surcharges for court operations. Confirm the exact amount with the clerk when you file because fees can change.
Other common costs include:
- Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
- Non-certified copies: generally $0.50 per page in person
- Service of process by sheriff: approximately $40 to $60
- Private process server: varies, usually $50 to $100
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You file GR 34 forms to request a waiver. Qualifying criteria include receipt of public assistance benefits or household income below 200% of the federal poverty level. Forms are on the Washington Courts website.
Legal Resources for Moses Lake Divorce Cases
Central Washington Legal Services provides legal aid to low-income residents in Grant County and the surrounding region. This organization handles family law matters and can sometimes assist with dissolution cases for those who qualify. Check eligibility before reaching out.
Northwest Justice Project serves all of Washington State. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to see if you qualify for free legal help. They handle family law cases for low-income clients and have experience with rural county courts like Grant County.
WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides and links to all official dissolution forms. All court forms are also available free at courts.wa.gov/forms. The Washington State Bar Association's directory at wsba.org can help you find a private attorney if you need representation.
Many Moses Lake residents handle straightforward uncontested cases on their own. If both parties agree on property, support, and parenting, self-representation is workable with the right forms and guides.
Older Grant County Dissolution Records
Older dissolution cases from Grant County may be at the clerk's office in Ephrata or at the Washington State Archives. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds dissolution records from many Washington counties and is free to search. Cases from 1968 to 1999 are often available there.
For records older than what the online system shows, contact the Grant County Clerk directly at (509) 754-2011. The clerk can tell you whether the record is at the courthouse or has been transferred to the State Archives. The Washington State Archives Eastern Regional Branch in Cheney covers Grant County historical records.
Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov also maintains dissolution statistics at the state level, though the actual decree documents are held by the county clerk.
Grant County Divorce Decree Records
Moses Lake is in Grant County. All dissolution filings go through Grant County Superior Court in Ephrata. For more about the county court system and resources available to Grant County residents, visit the county records page.
Other Washington Cities
Moses Lake is the only qualifying city in the immediate area. These other Washington cities have dissolution records pages you can reference.