Criminal records in Grays Harbor County, Washington, can be accessed through several channels. GraysHarborCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Washington State Courts online portal, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk's office at the Grays Harbor County Courthouse in Montesano. The methods and tools described below cover online searches, in-person visits, and written requests.
How to Search Criminal Records in Grays Harbor
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Grays Harbor County. What you need to begin depends on the method, but generally you should have at least one of the following:
- The individual's full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search Options
- GraysHarborCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — This statewide portal covers cases filed in municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts across Washington. Results are reference material; the official court record is maintained by the court of record.
- Find My Court Date — Another statewide search engine for cases filed in Washington courts. Useful for locating upcoming hearing dates and basic case information.
- County Wide Jail Roster — View current bookings and releases for Grays Harbor County, including the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam.
- Washington DOC Warrant Search — Search active warrants by name, DOC number, crime, or county through the Washington State Department of Corrections.
- Washington State Patrol Criminal History — For formal background checks, the WSP maintains fingerprint-based criminal history records. Requests can be submitted online through the WSP.
In Person
Visit the Grays Harbor County Clerk's office at the courthouse in Montesano. Public access terminals may be available for looking up case information. The Superior Court also maintains an administrative public records policy consistent with open administration of justice principles.
Grays Harbor County Clerk's Office
For municipal-level records in Aberdeen, you can submit requests directly to the Aberdeen Police Department or Aberdeen Municipal Court.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Grays Harbor County Clerk at the address above. Include the individual's full name, date of birth if known, and case number if available.
- Sheriff's Office records: The Grays Harbor County Public Records Office now handles all public records requests on behalf of the Sheriff's Office. Contact them at 360-964-1654.
- State criminal history: Submit a request to the Washington State Patrol's Identification and Criminal History Section. Fingerprint-based background checks require a completed fingerprint card and applicable fee.
Search Grays Harbor Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by case number is the most direct way to locate a specific record. Washington courts use a standardized case number format:
- Example: 24-1-00123-14
- First two digits (24): The year the case was filed
- Second segment (1): The case type code — "1" typically indicates a criminal felony case, "2" indicates a civil case, and other codes represent different case categories
- Third segment (00123): The sequential case number assigned by the court
- Final digits (14): The county code — Grays Harbor County's code is 14
Enter the full case number into the Washington State Courts search portal or provide it to the County Clerk's office. Case number searches return more precise results than name searches and avoid issues with common names or spelling variations.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Grays Harbor
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) section the defendant is charged under |
| Charge description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecutor before or during trial — the record will reflect both original and amended charges |
| Count number | When multiple charges are filed, each is assigned a separate count |
Case Status
- Pending: The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active: Proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed: All obligations have been fulfilled and the case is administratively closed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant's first court appearance, where charges are formally read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing: A hearing to determine whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial: Conferences to address motions, plea negotiations, and trial preparation
- Trial: The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: The court imposes a sentence after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing: Follow-up hearings to monitor compliance with court orders or probation conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found or pleaded guilty |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The charges were dropped by the court or prosecutor |
| Dismissed with prejudice | The case was dismissed and cannot be refiled |
| Dismissed without prejudice | The case was dismissed but may be refiled |
| Deferred sentence | Sentencing is postponed; charges may be dismissed upon completion of conditions |
| Stipulated Order of Continuance | Common in Washington — the case is continued and may be dismissed if the defendant complies with agreed conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Grays Harbor
Certified copies of criminal court records are available from the Grays Harbor County Clerk's office. These are official copies bearing the clerk's seal and signature, suitable for legal proceedings or formal verification.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the County Clerk's office at the courthouse in Montesano during business hours
- By mail: Send a written request to the County Clerk with the case number, party name, and a description of the documents needed. Include payment for applicable fees.
- By email (for transcripts/appeals): Contact superiorcourtappeal@graysharbor.us or Sherry Carlson at 360-964-1818
What You Need
- Case number (if known)
- Full name of the party
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
Grays Harbor County Clerk's Office
For records held by the Sheriff's Office or law enforcement, submit your request through the Grays Harbor County Public Records Office.
For statewide criminal history background checks, contact the Washington State Patrol. These checks require fingerprint submission and a separate fee.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Grays Harbor
Fees for court record copies in Washington are governed by RCW 36.18.016 (county clerk fees). The table below reflects standard fees; confirm current amounts with the clerk's office before submitting payment.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court documents (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy — first page | $5.00 |
| Certified copy — each additional page | $1.00 |
| WSP name-based criminal history check | $11.00 |
| WSP fingerprint-based criminal history check | $30.00 |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Simple copy requests at the clerk's office are often fulfilled the same day, depending on staff availability and the complexity of the request.
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days for processing, plus mailing time.
- Public records requests (Sheriff/County): Under Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), agencies must respond within five business days of receiving a request. The response may be the records, a time estimate for production, or a request for clarification. Wait times may be longer depending on the nature and volume of pending requests.
- WSP background checks: Processing times vary; electronic submissions are typically faster than mail-in requests.
Contact the Grays Harbor County Clerk's office to confirm current fees and expected turnaround before submitting your request.