Whatcom County Court Records Search
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Whatcom County occupies the northwest corner of Washington State, with its county seat in Bellingham. The county’s court system is centered at the Whatcom County Courthouse on Grand Avenue, where the Superior Court and District Court both maintain their operations. Six municipal courts — in Bellingham, Blaine, Everson-Nooksack, Ferndale, Lynden, and Sumas — round out the local judicial structure. The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian for felony criminal, civil, family law, and probate records, while the District Court Clerk maintains records for misdemeanors, infractions, small claims, and general civil actions within its jurisdictional limits.
Those researching court records in Washington can draw on a mix of local clerk offices, online databases, and statewide tools. The Washington Courts system operates the Odyssey Portal, a free electronic case index covering courts across the state. For statewide court information and directory resources, WashingtonStateCourts.us may assist users in locating publicly available case data. Within Whatcom County, both the Superior Court Clerk and the District Court Clerk accept in-person, email, and mail requests for records, and the county’s Law Library provides self-service access to case documents dating back to 2000.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Whatcom County?
The approach to finding a Whatcom County court record depends on the type of case and whether you need to view case information online or obtain official copies.
Online Case Search
The Odyssey Portal is the primary tool for remotely searching Whatcom County court records at no charge. Users can search by party name, case number, case type, filing date, or judicial officer. The portal displays docket entries, hearing dates, and case status for Superior Court and District Court matters. It is a view-only system — official or certified copies must be obtained directly from the relevant clerk’s office.
The Washington State Digital Archives also hosts Whatcom County Superior Court case records from 2005 to the present, providing another avenue for document research.
In-Person Search
Walk-in record inquiries are handled at two primary locations during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.):
Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk
Address: 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5560
Fax: (360) 778-5561
Whatcom County District Court
Address: 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5400
Fax: (360) 778-5401
The Whatcom County Law Library offers self-service access to case records from 2000 to present. For cases predating 1999, microfilm records are available at the Superior Court Clerk’s office in Suite 301.
Requesting Copies by Email, Phone, or Mail
The Superior Court Clerk accepts document requests by email at sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us or by phone at (360) 778-5618. The District Court provides a downloadable Court Records Request Form that can be submitted by email at districtcourtservices@co.whatcom.wa.us, by fax, or by mail.
Superior Court Copy Fees
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Electronic copies | $0.25 per page |
| Non-certified paper copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page |
| Research fee (when applicable) | $30.00 per hour |
| Audio recording on CD | $25.00 (plus $3.00 postage if mailed) |
District Court Copy Fees
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $0.15 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 |
Are Court Records Public in Whatcom County?
Court records in Washington are governed by a distinct legal framework separate from the state’s general public records law. While the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) applies broadly to government agencies, court records are specifically regulated by General Rule 31 of the Washington State Court Rules. Under GR 31, all court records are presumed open to public inspection unless restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, or court order.
In practice, this means most filings in civil, criminal, and probate cases at the Whatcom County Superior Court and District Court are accessible to anyone. No specific reason or relationship to the case is required.
Records That May Be Restricted or Sealed
Certain categories of court records are exempt from public access under GR 31.1 and applicable statutes:
- Adoption records — Sealed upon finalization; accessible only by court order.
- Mental illness commitment records — Confidential under state law.
- Alcohol and drug treatment commitment records — Protected from public disclosure.
- Paternity records — Restricted except for final orders.
- Juvenile non-offender records — Not available for public inspection.
- Sealed case files — Any record subject to a court sealing order.
- Protected personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses may be redacted from publicly available documents.
- Attorney-client privileged materials — Exempt from disclosure.
When a person believes a record has been improperly withheld, they may petition the court for access. Conversely, parties may move to seal records when privacy or safety concerns warrant it, and the court will evaluate such requests under the standards set by GR 15.
Whatcom County Criminal Court Records
Felony cases in Whatcom County are prosecuted in the Superior Court, which sits at the Whatcom County Courthouse. The Superior Court Clerk maintains all records for adult felony proceedings, including charging documents, plea records, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and judgments.
Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases — such as DUI, assault, theft, and driving while license suspended — are adjudicated in the District Court. The six municipal courts within the county handle traffic offenses, parking violations, and certain municipal code infractions.
Searching Criminal Case Records
- Use the Odyssey Portal to search by defendant name or case number. Filter by case type (criminal) and court location (Whatcom County).
- For official copies from Superior Court, email sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us or call (360) 778-5618.
- For District Court records, complete the records request form and submit it by email, fax, or in person.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) maintains criminal history records for all Washington residents. Three methods are available:
- Online — Use the WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) system for instant results at a cost of $11.00 per search, payable by credit or debit card.
- By mail — Complete the Request for Conviction Criminal History Form and mail it with the applicable fee to: Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section, P.O. Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633.
- In person — Submit the same form at the WSP’s Helen Sommers Building, 106 11th Avenue SW, Olympia, WA 98501.
For current processing fees for mail and in-person requests, visit the WSP’s criminal history request page.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest reports, incident reports, and booking records independently of the courts.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-6600
Whatcom County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Whatcom County is divided between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the nature and amount of the claim. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over cases involving real property and claims exceeding the District Court’s limits, while the District Court handles general civil actions with claims up to $100,000 and small claims up to $10,000.
Superior Court Civil Filing Fees (Effective July 27, 2025)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil case filing | $290.00 |
| Counterclaim / cross-claim / third-party claim | $290.00 |
| Unlawful detainer — residential | $135.00 (default); $247.00 (contested) |
| Unlawful detainer — commercial | $290.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $290.00 |
| Jury demand (6-person) | $125.00 |
| Jury demand (12-person) | $250.00 |
| Name change | $296.50 |
| Writ of garnishment / attachment / execution | $20.00 |
District Court Civil Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil claim / counterclaim | $83.00 |
| Small claim / counterclaim | $50.00 |
| Anti-harassment protection order | $83.00 |
| Civil appeal (infraction, civil, or small claims) | $280.00 |
| Civil jury demand | $125.00 |
| Writ of garnishment | $12.00 |
Small Claims Procedures
Small claims cases in Whatcom County District Court are governed by RCW Chapter 12.40. The jurisdictional limit is $10,000. The filing fee is $50.00; counterclaims also cost $50.00 (cash only). Defendants must be served at least 10 days before the trial date with proof via certified mail signature card or process server declaration. The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center offers free mediation for small claims cases and can be reached at (360) 676-0122.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case data can be searched through the Odyssey Portal by party name or case number. For copies, contact the appropriate clerk’s office. Pro se litigants can access statewide court forms on the Washington Courts website.
Whatcom County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoption matters are heard in the Whatcom County Superior Court. The Superior Court Clerk is responsible for maintaining all family law case files.
Family Law Filing Fees (Effective July 27, 2025)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage / legal separation / invalidity | $364.00 (includes $20 facilitator fee and $54 victim assessment fee) |
| Counter-petition in existing case | $310.00 (includes $20 facilitator fee) |
| Out-of-state custody decree (enforcement or modification) | $310.00 (includes $20 facilitator fee) |
| Modification of decree (in existing case) | $56.00 ($36.00 filing + $20.00 facilitator fee) |
| Modification of decree (new filing, never filed in Whatcom) | $310.00 + $20.00 facilitator fee |
| Paternity | $310.00 (includes facilitator fee) |
| Committed intimate relationship | $290.00 |
| Domestic violence / stalking / sexual assault protection order | No charge |
The Family Court Facilitator fee of $20.00 is included in most family law filings and is added even when the filing fee is waived.
Protection Orders
Domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault protection order petitions are filed in the District Court at no cost. An advocate from Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) is available at the Courthouse in Suite 304 on weekdays to assist petitioners. Outside office hours, the DVSAS 24-hour helpline can be reached at (877) 715-1563.
Adoption Records
Adoption cases carry a $310.00 filing fee (no facilitator fee). Once finalized, adoption records are sealed and not accessible to the public. The statutory fee for a certified copy for vital records purposes is $35.00.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are maintained by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, not the courts. Certified copies cost $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Regular photocopies are $1.00 per page. Assisted record searches cost $8.00 per hour. Requests can be made in person, by phone at (360) 778-5100, or by mail (with fee and self-addressed stamped envelope) to:
Whatcom County Auditor
Attention: Marriages
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225
Marriage records from 1980 to the present can also be searched through the county’s online Marriage License Research Room.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are filed with the Superior Court Clerk and can be searched through the Odyssey Portal or requested by email, phone, or in person. Copies of divorce records from January 1, 1968, to the present may also be obtained from the Washington State Department of Health by completing the Marriage/Divorce Certificate Order Form and submitting it with $20.00 per certified copy to P.O. Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507-9709, or in person at the Center for Health Statistics in Tumwater at (360) 236-4300.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are vital records maintained by the Whatcom County Health Department. They can be ordered online through the county’s vital records ordering page for $25.00, or by mail using the appropriate application form — birth certificate or death certificate — sent with $25.00, a copy of photo ID, and proof of eligibility to 509 Girard Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. Non-certified birth and death records are publicly accessible; certified copies are limited to immediate family, guardians, or legal representatives.
Whatcom County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Whatcom County are adjudicated in the Superior Court. The Superior Court Clerk maintains all probate case files, including estate administration proceedings, will probates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters.
Probate Filing Fees (Effective July 27, 2025)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estate — probate | $290.00 |
| Guardianship (adult) / conservatorship / protective arrangement | $290.00 (no fee if assets under $3,000) |
| Guardianship (minor) / minor conservatorship | $290.00 (no fee if guardian is a relative) |
| Petition contesting will or trust (TEDRA) | $290.00 |
| Non-probate notice to creditors | $290.00 |
| Non-judicial probate dispute (in existing case) | $20.00 |
| Letters of administration / guardianship / testamentary | $5.00 issuance + certified copy |
| Will only (no probate contemplated) | $20.00 |
| Will Repository (storage of will during lifetime) | $20.00 |
The county’s probate forms and packets are available at the Clerk’s office or on the county website. The initial filing fee for opening an estate is $290.00. It is strongly recommended that individuals consult with an attorney before initiating probate proceedings given the complexity of Washington estate law.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is indexed in the Odyssey Portal and searchable by decedent name, ward name, or case number. For official copies, contact the Superior Court Clerk by email at sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us, by phone at (360) 778-5618, or in person at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301.
The Will Repository maintained by the Superior Court Clerk provides a secure location for storing original wills during a person’s lifetime for a one-time fee of $20.00. After the testator’s death, the named executor may petition the court to retrieve the will and initiate probate.