WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Whatcom County Public Records?

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, Whatcom County public records include any writing that has information that relates to the carrying out of government-related functions. It includes documents that are generated, possessed, and maintained by state or local government agencies and officials. Whatcom public records can take any physical form or characteristics. This includes handwritten, typewritten, printed, photographed, and any other means of recording information. The following records are exempted from public access:

• Records that their release will lead to an invasion of privacy;
• Personal and confidential information;
• Financial, commercial, and proprietary information;
• Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, intra-agency memorandums;
• Library records;
• Certain student records and educational information;
• Information about health professionals;
• Vital records.

Whatcom County Crime Statistics

The Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC) publishes the crime statistics of all counties in the state of Washington. In 2019, Whatcom County reported a total number of 1,359 reported crimes. This includes 141 violent crimes and 1,128 property crimes. The violent crimes reported include five murders, 30 rapes, eight robberies, and 98 aggravated assaults. Incidences of property crimes include 348 burglaries, 759 larcenies, 104 motor vehicle thefts, and seven reports of arson. When compared with the numbers from the previous year, these figures represent a significant decline in total crimes. Robbery, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson rates declined by 47%, 2%, 17%, 16%, and 30% respectively. However, murder, rape, and aggravated assault rates increased by 100%, 15%, and 5% respectively.

Are Whatcom County Criminal Records Public?

In line with state laws, the majority of Whatcom County criminal records are public. The Records Division of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is the primary custodian of all county criminal records and reports. However, all Whatcom criminal records are maintained by the Washington State Patrol. It houses the central repository for all criminal history records of Washington State. Interested persons may request Whatcom County criminal records or background checks by querying the Washington State Patrol. However, members of the public are only granted access to conviction and arrest information of the previous year. Only certified criminal justice agencies can receive full criminal history record information.

The Washington State Patrol processes requests for criminal history records and background checks. Reports may be requested online, by mail, or in person. To request criminal records online, members of the public may use the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) which provides conviction information and arrests less than a year old. This will require a credit card payment of $11 as well as personal details of the subject including their name and date of birth.

For mail requests, interested parties may complete and send the Request For Conviction Criminal History Record Application to the Identification & Background Check Section of the Washington State Patrol at:

Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia WA 98504-2633
Phone: (360) 534-2000

Records may be searched using the subject’s fingerprints for a search fee of $58. Fingerprinting services are offered by the Records Division of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. Requests may be made by submitting a full set of fingerprints along with a completed Request for Conviction Criminal History Record Application (and all applicable fees) to the above-stated address. Walk-in requests can also be made to the Identification & Background Check Department of the Washington State Patrol. This will require the name and date of birth of the subject or a full set of fingerprints. Requests may be made at:

106 11th Avenue Southwest
Suite 1300
Olympia, WA 98501

How to Obtain Whatcom County Police Reports and Arrest Records?

The Records Division of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office generates and maintains Whatcom County arrest records and police reports. These records are available to interested members of the public on request. Residents may request these records online, in person, or by email. To make an online request, complete and submit the Public Records Request Form. The requested record(s) will be processed within five business days and delivered to the email address indicated on the form.

To make an in-person request, visit the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. A form will be provided to the requester to fill. Email requests can be made to sheriffrecords@co.whatcom.wa.us. For all requests, it is important that the following information is provided:

• The requester’s name, address, and contact information
• Case/Report number or sufficient information or description of the incident to aid with a record search
• Date of the request

For related inquiries, the Records Division can be reached at (360) 778-6670.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Whatcom County?

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office maintains a public access registry of sex offenders on the County’s sex offender website. Residents may view information about all registered sex offenders within the county, and filter offenders by name and location. Interested persons may also subscribe to the email notification feature of the site which alerts registered members of sex offenders within a mile of their address.

How to Find Whatcom County Inmate Records?

The Whatcom County Bureau of Custody and Corrections Services manages the Whatcom County Jail’s inmate data. Interested members of the public may view current and recently booked Whatcom county jail inmates using the Jail Inmate Roster. However, the roster excludes information regarding released inmates. Searches can be conducted using the inmate's name, or by simply skimming through the entire list to find relevant information. Information relating to inmate commissary, account, and telephone services may be obtained through the Corrections Vendors Division of the Bureau.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Whatcom County Jail?

Inmate visitation at the Whatcom County occurs on Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The jail facility provides video and in-person visitation services. There are two visitation centers, with different visiting times:

Whatcom County Jail
311 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-6500

Interim Work Center
2030 Division Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

Visitors can use the Jail Inmate Roster to locate inmates. To visit an inmate, contact the center where the inmate is located.

Court Records

The courts in Whatcom County include one Superior Court, one Juvenile Court, one District Court, and four Municipal Courts. These courts handle various kinds of civil and criminal cases. The court records from the cases decided by these courts are mostly available upon request.

Location of Courts in Whatcom County

Whatcom County Superior Courts

Whatcom County Superior Court
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 301
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5560
Fax: (360) 778-5561

Whatcom County Superior Court - Juvenile
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 501
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5490
Fax: (360) 778-5491

Whatcom County District Court

Whatcom County District Court
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 401
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5400
Fax: (360) 778-5401

Whatcom County Municipal Courts

Bellingham Municipal Court
2014 C Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-8150
Fax: (360) 778-8151

Blaine Municipal Court
Blaine City Hall
435 Martin Street
Suite 4000
Blaine, WA 98230
Phone: (360) 332-8310
Fax: (360) 543-9835

Everson-Nooksack Municipal Court
111 West Main Street
P.O. Box 315
Everson, WA 98247
Phone: (360) 966-3411, extension 1200
Fax: (360) 966-3466

Ferndale Municipal Court
2220 Main Street
P.O. Box 291
Ferndale, WA 98248
Phone: (360) 384-2827
Fax: (360) 312-0106

Lynden Municipal Court
Lynden City Hall
300 4th Street
Lynden, WA 98264
Phone: (360) 354-4270
Fax: (360) 318-0301

Sumas Municipal Court
433 Cherry Street
P.O. Box 9
Sumas, WA 98295
Phone: (360) 988-5711
Fax: (360) 988-8855

Are Whatcom County Court Records Public?

Most Whatcom County court records are public. Interested individuals can requests Whatcom County court records from the custodian court or court clerk. The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk keeps Whatcom court records of the Superior Court. The Whatcom County District Court also provides court records to interested persons. Records of Municipal Courts are obtainable by visiting or contacting the court where the case was judged.

Can You Look Up a Whatcom County Court Case Online?

Interested persons can look up Whatcom Court case information and records online. The Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search contains court records and court hearing information. To search court records, the user has to provide the record number or a party’s name. There are advanced search options to help users narrow down their search. Court records are also available online on the Washington Courts Records Search portal.

How to Obtain Whatcom County Civil Court Case Records?

The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk provides interested individuals with copies of Whatcom County civil court case records. Court records can be requested by email and telephone requests. Requesters may send an email request with adequate information about the case to sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us. Or request copies by phone at (360) 778-5560. The Superior Court Clerk’s Office is located at:

Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 301
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5560

The Whatcom County District Court is charged with managing and disseminating records of all cases filed within its jurisdiction. All records of civil court cases determined by the District Court may be obtained by completing the court’s request for records form, which must indicate the case type, the name of the plaintiff/defendant as well as the case number of the requested document(s).

Completed applications should be accompanied by any applicable fees (15 cents per page and $5 for document certification). The request can be faxed to the Whatcom County District Court at (360) 778-5401 or mailed to:

Whatcom County District Court
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 401
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5401

How to Obtain Whatcom County Criminal Court Records?

The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk maintains copies of Whatcom County criminal court records. Criminal court records are available upon request via email or telephone. To make an email application, send an email request with information about the case to sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us. Telephone requests are made by calling (360) 778-5560. The Superior Court Clerk’s Office is located at:

Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 301
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5560

The Whatcom County District Court keeps the records of criminal cases handled by the court. To get copies of criminal court records, interested persons should fill out the request for records form. The requester must indicate the case type, the name of the plaintiff/defendant as well as the case number of the requested document(s).

The filled-out form should be faxed to the Whatcom County District Court at (360) 778-5401 or sent via mail to:

Whatcom County District Court
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 401
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5401

What are Whatcom County Vital Records?

Whatcom County vital records are documents that relate information about vital events that happened within the county. At the county level, vital records are co-managed by the Whatcom County Health Department, the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, and the Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk. The Washington State Department of Health is the primary custodian of the birth, death, marriage, and divorce records of its indigenes and residents in the state. Requesters may be required to meet eligibility requirements before accessing certified records.

Where and How to Obtain Whatcom County Divorce Records?

The Office of the Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk maintains records of divorces granted within its jurisdiction, and processes requests to view and/or copy these records.

Interested may only request and retrieve certified Whatcom County divorce records by requesting them in person from the Clerk’s office, via email, or by telephone. All requests will require the names of the divorcees as well as the date and place of the divorce. Requests may be made at/ sent to:

Superior Court Administration
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 301
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5560
Email: sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us

The Washington State Department of Health keeps copies of Whatcom County divorce records from 1 January 1968 to date. To order a copy of a divorce record, a requester can fill out the Marriage/Divorce Certificate Order Form. The filled-out form should be accompanied by a copy of a valid ID and payment and forwarded via mail to:

Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
Processing time: 6 to 8 weeks

It takes an average time of six to eight weeks to process a request. The request can also be submitted in person to the Office of the Department of Health at:

Washington State Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
Town Center 1
101 Israel Road South East
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 236-4300

Certified copies of divorce records cost $20 each. Payment for mail requests can be made with checks or money orders.

Where and How to Get Public Whatcom County Marriage Records?

The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office maintains and disseminates records of marriage licenses and certificates originally issued in Whatcom County. Interested persons may obtain certified copies of Whatcom County marriage records by sending a written request to the Auditor’s Office. The request should indicate the spouses’ names and the date of marriage. Requests must also be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the applicable fees, which are as stated:

Certified copies of Whatcom County marriage certificates after 1980 cost $3 each, while records of marriages prior to 1980 cost $11.

Requests should be sent by mail to:

Whatcom County Auditor
Attention: Marriages
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225

The State Department of Health also provides copies of Whatcom County marriage records to eligible individuals. It has copies of Whatcom County marriage certificates from 1968 to date. Requests for marriage records can be made in person or by mail. Mail requests are made by completing the Marriage/Divorce Certificate Order Form. Requesters should attach evidence of payment and a copy of a valid ID to the completed form and send them by mail to:

Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
Processing time: 6 to 8 weeks

In-person requests can also be submitted to:

Washington State Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
Town Center 1
101 Israel Road South East
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 236-4300
Monday - Friday; between 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Marriage records cost $20 per copy. This fee is payable in cash, checks, and credit cards.

Where and How to Find Whatcom County Birth Records?

The Whatcom County Health Department issues copies of Whatcom County birth records within the county from after July 1907. Certified birth records may be accessed by interested members of the public who meet any required eligibility conditions. Whatcom County birth certificates may be obtained by sending a completed Birth and Death Certificate Application via to:

509 Girard Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-6000
Fax: (360) 778-6001

The request must include payment and an acceptable means of identification. Alternatively, requests may be made by submitting a written request in person to the above-stated address. Written requests must indicate the following:

• Full name of the registrant
• Birth date
• Place of birth
• Mother’s full name and maiden name
• Father’s full name.

Payment can be made in cash, cheque, or card. Each birth record costs $25.

The Washington State Health Department also keeps copies of Whatcom County birth records from 1907 to date. Requests for birth records can be made by mail or in person. Each copy of a birth certificate costs $25. Applicants can complete the Birth/Death Certificate Order Form. Enclose a valid means of identification, proof of qualifying relationship, and payment with the completed form. The application can be submitted in person to the Department of Health at:

Town Center 1
101 Israel Road South East
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 236-4300
Monday - Friday; between 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The application can also be forwarded by mail:

Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
Processing time: 6 to 8 weeks

Where and How to Find Whatcom County Death Records?

The Whatcom County Health Department maintains copies of Whatcom County death records from July 1907 to date. Death records cost $25 per copy. They are accessible to persons that meet the required eligibility conditions only. To order copies of Whatcom County death records, fill out the Birth and Death Certificate Application. Include payment and an acceptable means of identification to the filled-out form. The request should be sent via mail to:

509 Girard Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-6000
Fax: (360) 778-6001

A written request can also be made with the following information:

• Full name of the deceased
• Date of death
• Place of death

The Washington State Health Department processes requests for Whatcom County death records from 1907 to date. They are available upon request via mail or in person at $25 per copy. Requests for Whatcom County death certificates can be made by filling out the Birth/Death Certificate Order Form. The requester should attach a valid means of identification, proof of qualifying relationship, and payment with the filled-out form. Walk-in requests can be made at the Office of the Department of Health located at:

Town Center 1
101 Israel Road South East
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 236-4300
Monday - Friday; between 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The request can also be sent via mail to the address below:

Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
Processing time: 6 to 8 weeks

Are Property Records Open to the Public in Whatcom County?

Property records in Whatcom County are open to the public, in compliance with the Washington Public Records Act. Interested members of the public can inspect and obtain copies of Whatcom County property records by submitting a request at the custodian's office.

Where and How to Find Property Records in Whatcom County

The Whatcom County Assessor’s Office is responsible for recording, maintaining, and issuing copies of property records to interested persons upon request. Requestors may obtain Whatcom County property records in person or online. For in-person request, interested persons are required to contact the custodian's office location:

Whatcom County Assessor's Office
311 Grand Ave Suite 106
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5050
Fax: (360) 778-5051
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

How to Look Up Whatcom County Property Records

Interested members of the public can look up Whatcom County property records by using the online search tool maintained by the County Assessor's office. Users may access information on property transactions by using the basic search or advanced search option on the platform. Using the basic search option, interested persons can search using any of the following criteria:

• Owner Name
• Property Address
• Account Number ( Property ID and Parcel Number)
• Doing Business As (DBA)

The advanced search option allows users to access property information using at least two search type combinations. The following search combinations available are:

• Owner Name
• Street Number
• Street Name
• City
• Property ID
• Parcel Number or Geo ID
• Doing Business AS
• Abstract
• Subdivision
• Mobile Home Park
• Condo
• Township
• Range
• Township Section

Location of Whatcom County Property Assessors

Whatcom County Assessor's Office
311 Grand Ave Suite 106
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5050
Fax: (360) 778-5051
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.