Find Court Records in Bellingham
Bellingham court records are held across three courts depending on case type. Bellingham Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and misdemeanors within city limits. Whatcom County District Court covers county-level misdemeanor and civil cases. Whatcom County Superior Court manages felonies, family law, probate, and large civil matters. You can search Bellingham court records for free online at dw.courts.wa.gov, which covers all three of those courts. To get copies or view full case files, you contact the court that holds the specific record you need.
Bellingham Overview
Bellingham Municipal Court Records
Bellingham has its own municipal court, which makes it different from cities like Auburn that rely entirely on county district courts. Bellingham Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and parking violations. The court is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone lines are open from 10:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
All hearings at Bellingham Municipal Court are streamed live for public viewing, which is part of the court's transparency and open court commitment. Security screening is required upon entry. The court provides interpreter services upon request and public defenders for eligible defendants. Judge Debra Lev presides over the court.
| Office | Bellingham Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2014 C Street Bellingham, WA 98225 |
| court@cob.org | |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-4:00 PM |
| Fax | (360) 778-8151 |
Court records at Bellingham Municipal Court are subject to public inspection and copying, with some exceptions. The city notes that most court files are open to the public under local court rules. You can submit a records request by email at court@cob.org, by fax at (360) 778-8151, by mail to 2014 C Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, or in person at the clerk's window. A PDF request form is available on the court's website at cob.org/gov/court/files.
About Bellingham Municipal Court
The mission of Bellingham Municipal Court is to administer the operations of the judicial branch of city government in a neutral and effective manner. The court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and parking violations. It does not handle felony charges. For those, you go to Whatcom County Superior Court. Court calendars, schedules, and forms are posted on the court's website at cob.org/gov/court/about-court.
The court also offers virtual hearings via Zoom. Video and audio are required for virtual appearances. Participants must sign in with their full name and appear in courtroom-appropriate attire. Audio recordings of all proceedings are part of the official court record. Transcripts are not automatically prepared; parties who need transcripts can arrange for transcription at their own expense.
Whatcom County District Court in Bellingham
Whatcom County District Court is located in the same building complex as the Superior Court, at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401, in Bellingham. This court handles county-level misdemeanor cases, civil matters under $100,000, and protection orders. It's distinct from Bellingham Municipal Court because it handles county jurisdiction rather than city ordinance cases.
To request records from Whatcom County District Court, fill out a records request form and fax it to (360) 778-5401 or mail it to Whatcom County District Court, 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401, Bellingham, WA 98225. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow free case searches during business hours. Copy fees are $0.25 to $0.50 per page for standard copies. Online case information is available through the Washington Courts Case Search portal.
Criminal misdemeanor cases at District Court carry a maximum penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Gross misdemeanor cases carry a maximum of up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. These records are public and searchable through the statewide portal once cases are filed.
Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk
Whatcom County Superior Court handles the most serious cases in Bellingham: felony criminal charges, family law cases, probate and guardianship, and civil suits over $100,000. The Superior Court Clerk's Office maintains all records for these cases and provides certified copies upon request. The office is at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301, Bellingham, and can be reached at (360) 778-5560.
The Clerk's Office processes records requests in person and by mail. Public access terminals are available for free case searches. Historical records may be available through the Washington State Digital Archives, which holds electronic copies of select court records from counties across Washington. Fees for copies and certifications follow the state schedule: $5 for the first page of a certified copy, $1 for each additional page.
Note: The Superior Court Clerk does not provide legal advice. If you need help understanding what a record means, contact an attorney or a legal aid organization.
Searching Bellingham Court Records Online
The free statewide portal at dw.courts.wa.gov covers all three courts that serve Bellingham: Bellingham Municipal Court, Whatcom County District Court, and Whatcom County Superior Court. You search by name or case number. Results show party names, filing dates, case types, docket entries, and hearing schedules. The portal updates daily at 3:00 a.m. Full documents are not available for download from the portal; you must contact the court of record to get them.
Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 governs city and county administrative records. But court records themselves are not subject to the PRA. They're released under General Rule 31, which presumes records are open unless a specific exception applies. Understanding the difference matters when you're figuring out where to send your request.
For cases that went through the federal system, those records are not in the state portal. Federal cases in the western part of Washington are accessed through PACER. The fee is $0.08 per page. Federal records are separate from everything held at the city or county level in Bellingham.
Whatcom County Court Records
Bellingham is the county seat of Whatcom County. Both the District Court and Superior Court for the county are located in Bellingham. For a full look at Whatcom County courts, clerk offices, and records access, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
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