Search Whatcom County Court Records

Whatcom County court records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk and District Court in Bellingham, Washington. You can search case information through the Washington Courts statewide case search or the Odyssey Portal, both of which cover Whatcom County Superior Court cases. For copies of documents, contact the Clerk's Office on the 3rd floor at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham, or submit a request by phone or email.

Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk

The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk serves as administrator of court records and exhibits, as well as a quasi-judicial officer and ex-officio clerk of the court. The Clerk receives, processes, and permanently preserves all documents filed in any Superior Court cause of action. Staff can provide case status updates, general information on court rules, approved forms, and hearing schedules.

There are things the Clerk's Office cannot do. Staff cannot give legal advice, tell you whether to file a case, advise you on what to say in court, or fill out forms for you. These limits apply under state law and court policy. If you need legal help, you should contact an attorney or a legal aid organization.

An updated fee schedule took effect July 27th. Ex Parte Calendars have been permanently discontinued. Walk-in ex parte requests by case parties are now free, but requests submitted by mail or courier still carry a $30 fee. Attorneys submitting documents must use properly signed originals since typed or cursive typed signatures are not accepted by the court.

Whatcom County Superior Court

Whatcom County Superior Court is one of 39 Superior Courts across Washington State. The court has five elected judges serving four-year terms. Current judges are Robert E. Olson, Evan Jones, Lee Grochmal, David E. Freeman (Presiding Judge), and Jennifer Slattery. Four court commissioners also serve the court: Ann Vetter-Hansen, Jonathan Richardson, Lisa M. Keeler, and Kacie B. Emerick.

The types of cases heard in Superior Court include adult felonies, civil cases, divorce and child custody matters, probate, guardianships, conservatorships, paternity actions, adoptions, juvenile cases, mental illness cases involving involuntary commitment, and water rights adjudication for WRIA 1. New local court rules take effect on September 1, 2025.

The court uses Zoom for some hearing types. Civil Motion Calendar and Eviction Calendar Zoom requests must be made by the moving party at hearing confirmation. Non-moving parties have until 3 PM on Thursdays. The court provides approved forms and procedural instructions for people who represent themselves. Contact the court at (360) 778-5490 during business hours for scheduling questions.

Whatcom County District Court Records

Whatcom County District Court operates with two elected judges and one appointed commissioner. The court handles criminal misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of 90 days and $1,000, and gross misdemeanors with a maximum of one year and $5,000. Civil cases up to $100,000 and small claims up to $10,000 are also heard here. The court does not handle cases involving title to or possession of real property.

To request District Court records, fill out the Whatcom County District Court Records Request Form. You can email or fax the completed form to (360) 778-5401, or mail it to the court at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401, Bellingham, WA 98225. Copy fees are $0.15 per page for plain copies and $5 for certified copies. Records will be sent to you directly. The District Court cannot provide Superior Court or Juvenile Court records.

The court also handles civil protection order petitions, name change petitions, and contested vehicle impound hearings. A DVSAS advocate is available for protection order assistance with varying hours Monday through Friday. The online infraction program lets people resolve traffic tickets without coming to the courthouse.

Note: The ex parte fee for civil filings increased to $20 effective March 2, 2026. Administrative records requests at District Court are handled under GR 31.1, and the Public Records Officer responds within five business days.

Requesting Whatcom County Court Documents

Getting copies of Superior Court documents requires a request through the Clerk's Office. Due to a change in the case management system, documents filed in Superior Court cases are no longer viewable online. You must contact the Clerk to obtain copies. Walk-in requests can be handled at the 3rd floor office in Suite 301.

Regular copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page per document. Certified copies cannot be obtained electronically. Out-of-county requests require prepayment. Documents in cases older than the year 2000 are not digital and may take additional time to retrieve. These older records can only be obtained from the Clerk's Office directly.

To request documents by phone, call (360) 778-5618. Email requests are also accepted. If you want to view and print documents at a lower cost, you can visit the Law Library in the courthouse. The Clerk will notify you if specific documents have not yet been digitized. Access to court records follows General Rule 31, which controls what is public and what is restricted.

Online Tools for Whatcom County Cases

The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal allows you to search Whatcom County Superior Court cases by case number or party name. Free registration gives access to the Smart Search feature. You can view case calendars, dockets, and party information through the portal. Some document images may require payment. Data updates daily from participating courts.

The Washington Courts Name and Case Search is the free statewide tool that covers all court types in Whatcom County. This includes Bellingham Municipal Court, Whatcom County District Court, and Whatcom County Superior Court. Search by person name or case number. Results are updated every day at 3 AM and give you reference information to help you locate the official court record.

Some case types may be restricted from online viewing under GR 31. These include adoption records, juvenile dependency cases, and involuntary commitment proceedings. For those, you must contact the clerk directly and provide documentation showing you have a right to the records. The RCW 36.23 framework governs how the county clerk maintains and provides access to court records across Washington.

Cities in Whatcom County

Whatcom County includes Bellingham as its county seat along with several smaller communities. Superior Court and District Court cases for all cities in the county are handled in Bellingham.

Other communities in Whatcom County include Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Birch Bay, Sumas, and Everson. All Superior Court cases for these areas go through the Whatcom County courthouse at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham.

Nearby Counties

Whatcom County borders Skagit and Okanogan counties in Washington, as well as Canada to the north and Idaho to the east. If you are unsure which court handles your case, verify the filing address with the clerk.