Find Public Records in Ferry County

Ferry County public records are held by the Superior Court Clerk, the County Auditor, and other elected offices in Republic, Washington. Whether you need court case files, property documents, or historical vital records, this page explains which office to contact and how to access Ferry County public records online or in person. Requests for most county records fall under the Washington Public Records Act, which requires agencies to respond within five business days.

Ferry County Superior Court Clerk

The Ferry County Clerk of Superior Court is the official record keeper for all Superior Court cases in the county. The court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $100,000, domestic relations cases including divorce and custody, probate matters, and appeals from lower courts. The clerk's office is at 350 E Delaware Avenue in Republic. Contact Melanie Breezee directly at 509-775-5225 x2505 or by email at sup-clerk@co.ferry.wa.us. General court inquiries can go to the main line at 509-775-5225 extension 1402.

Ferry County uses the Odyssey Portal (Odyssey Code No. 10) for online case access. You can search by name or case number through the statewide Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal. The portal shows case summaries, party names, docket entries, and current status. Some older records may not appear in the portal and require a direct request to the clerk's office.

A shared public records portal with Stevens County is also available at stevenscountywa.nextrequest.com. This may be useful for certain non-court records requests. Processing time follows statutory requirements, and fees are charged according to state guidelines. Some records may be sealed or confidential and unavailable for public release.

Ferry County District Court

The Ferry County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $100,000, traffic infractions, anti-harassment orders, and small claims up to $10,000. The District Court is also located at 350 E Delaware Avenue in Republic. For records from District Court cases, contact the court clerk. District Court records are generally public but some may be restricted under court rules or state law.

For small claims or traffic matters, the District Court is the correct starting point. Most records requests go through the clerk by phone or written request. Response times follow state guidelines, and fees apply for copies of documents.

Ferry County Auditor Records

The Ferry County Auditor serves as the County Recorder and maintains official land and vital records for the county. The Auditor's office is at 350 E Delaware Avenue, Republic, WA 99166, reachable at 509-775-5225 extension 1400. Recorded documents include deeds, liens, mortgages, and other instruments required by law. Land records are maintained permanently and are indexed for public access once filed.

The Auditor also manages elections, processes payroll, handles county financial accounts, issues marriage licenses, and maintains historical birth and death certificates from 1899 to 1902. For more current vital records, contact the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov. State DOH holds birth and death records from 1907 forward.

Historical Records Through Digital Archives

The Washington State Digital Archives holds several Ferry County historical collections that are free to search online. These include Ferry County Auditor birth records from 1891 to 1907, death records from 1899 to 1902, and marriage records from 1900 to 1999. The archives also hold Ferry County Clerk naturalization records from 1906 to 1927.

These historical collections are useful for genealogical research or locating records that predate modern electronic systems. Search is free and no login is required. The Digital Archives hold over 21 million digitized records from governments across Washington State.

The Digital Archives provides free online access to historical county records including Ferry County birth, death, marriage, and naturalization files.

How to Get Ferry County Public Records

To request records from Ferry County departments, contact the office that holds the records you need. Identify the type of record, dates, names, or case numbers to help staff locate what you want. Under RCW 42.56, agencies must respond within five business days. The response might provide the records, give an estimated timeline, ask for clarification, or issue a written denial citing the specific legal exemption that applies.

You may submit requests by mail, phone, or email. Paper copies are charged up to $0.15 per page. For large requests, ask for a fee estimate first. You have the right to inspect records in person at no cost before deciding what to copy. If your request is denied, you may appeal within the agency or contact the Washington Attorney General's Open Government office at atg.wa.gov/open-government.

Ferry County also has a Public Utility District (PUD) that maintains separate records. The PUD records contact is Sue Nush at snush@fcpud.com. A PUD records request form is available through the county website. PUD requests are processed under the same Public Records Act requirements as other government agencies.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to Ferry County. If you are not certain which county holds a record you need, check the address where the event occurred or look at filing information on any documents you already have.