Whatcom County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Whatcom County?

Public records in Whatcom County are defined according to the Washington Public Records Act, specifically under RCW § 42.56.010, as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics.

The following types of records are maintained by various Whatcom County departments and offices:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Whatcom County Superior Court and District Court, including judgments, orders, and case filings
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and property assessments maintained by the County Auditor and Assessor
• Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1907), death certificates (from 1907), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious business names, and professional licenses
• Tax Records: Property tax statements, assessment records, and tax payment histories
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Whatcom County Council meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial statements, expenditure reports, and audits
• Law Enforcement Records: Sheriff's reports, arrest logs, and incident reports (with legally required redactions)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, environmental impact statements, and code enforcement actions

The Whatcom County Auditor's Office maintains property records, marriage licenses, and business filings, while the Whatcom County Clerk serves as custodian of court records. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained at the state level by the Washington State Department of Health.

Is Whatcom County an Open Records County?

Whatcom County fully complies with the Washington State Public Records Act as codified in RCW Chapter 42.56. Under RCW § 42.56.070, public records shall be made available for public inspection and copying, and agencies shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within specific exemptions.

The statute explicitly states: "Each agency shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of subsection (8) of this section, this chapter, or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records."

Whatcom County has established comprehensive procedures for public records access in accordance with state law. The county maintains a Public Records Request portal where citizens can submit requests electronically. Additionally, the county has adopted Ordinance No. 2018-065 which establishes rules for public records requests processing.

Whatcom County also adheres to Washington's Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), RCW § 42.30, which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions.

How to Find Public Records in Whatcom County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Whatcom County may utilize the following procedures to access public information:

1. Submit a formal public records request through the county's online portal or by submitting a written request to the specific department that maintains the records.

2. Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records in person:

   Whatcom County Courthouse
   311 Grand Avenue
   Bellingham, WA 98225
   (360) 778-5000
   Whatcom County Government

3. Search online databases for digitized records:

   • Property records through the Assessor's Office
   • Court records via the Washington Courts Name and Case Search
   • Historical court records through the Washington State Digital Archives

4. Request vital records (birth, death certificates) from the Washington State Department of Health or the Whatcom County Health Department.

5. Check criminal records through the Washington State Patrol or search for active warrants via the Department of Corrections warrant search.

6. Review meeting minutes and agendas on the Whatcom County Council website.

7. Submit specialized requests for specific record types:

   • For GIS data, contact the Whatcom County GIS Division
   • For building permits, contact Planning and Development Services

Pursuant to RCW § 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days by either providing the records, acknowledging receipt and providing an estimated time for response, or denying the request with a specific explanation.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Whatcom County?

Whatcom County charges fees for public records in accordance with RCW § 42.56.120, which authorizes agencies to establish reasonable charges for providing copies of public records. Current fees include:

• Paper Copies: $0.15 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11")
• Color Copies: $0.30 per page
• Large Format Copies (maps, blueprints): $3.00 to $10.00 depending on size
• Digital Records:
  • $0.10 per page for scanned documents
  • $0.05 for every four electronic files or attachments
  • $0.10 per gigabyte for electronic records transmission
• Storage Media: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or other media
• Postage/Delivery: Actual cost of mailing or shipping
• Specialized Records:
  • Recorded documents from the Auditor's Office: $3.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
  • Certified copies of vital records: $25.00 per certificate
  • Court records: Variable fees set by court rules

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and credit/debit cards (for in-person transactions). Some departments may accept online payments for specific record types.

The county may require a deposit of up to 10% of the estimated cost for requests with significant copying or research requirements. Pursuant to RCW § 42.56.120(4), agencies may waive fees when it determines that doing so is in the public interest.

Customized service charges may apply when fulfilling a request requires specialized IT expertise or significant staff time, but the county must provide an estimate before proceeding with such work.

Does Whatcom County Have Free Public Records?

Whatcom County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:

• In-person inspection of records is available free of charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office, as guaranteed by RCW § 42.56.080.

• Online access to numerous records is provided at no cost through the following resources:

  • Whatcom County Property Search for property assessment records
  • Whatcom County Council Agendas and Minutes
  • Whatcom County Code for county ordinances and regulations
  • Whatcom County Budget Documents
  • Whatcom County Election Results

• Public access computers are available at the Whatcom County Courthouse and public libraries throughout the county for searching online records.

• Self-service research at the Whatcom County Law Library located in the courthouse is available to the public during regular business hours.

The Washington Courts Public Case Search provides free access to basic case information, though obtaining copies of actual court documents may incur fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Whatcom County?

Under Washington's Public Records Act, specifically RCW § 42.56.080, any person may request public records in Whatcom County. The statute states that "agencies shall not distinguish between requestors on the basis of the identity of the requestor, the purpose for the request, or the use of the records."

Key eligibility considerations include:

• Residency: There is no residency requirement. Requestors need not be Washington State or Whatcom County residents.

• Identification: While basic contact information is required to process requests, requestors are not generally required to provide identification. However, for certain protected records, verification of identity may be necessary.

• Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request, except in limited circumstances where specific statutory exemptions apply.

• Format: Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, email, fax, or through the county's online portal.

• Special Categories:

  • Incarcerated individuals have the right to request public records but may face certain limitations under RCW § 42.56.565.
  • Commercial use of lists of individuals is restricted under RCW § 42.56.070(9).
  • Attorneys and legal representatives may request records on behalf of clients.

When requesting records about oneself, additional verification may be required to protect privacy. For records containing personal information about others, certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy exemptions under RCW § 42.56.230.

Foreign nationals and organizations have the same rights to access public records as U.S. citizens under the Washington Public Records Act.

What Records Are Confidential in Whatcom County?

Certain records in Whatcom County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to RCW § 42.56.070(1), which states that agencies shall make records available "unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of subsection (8) of this section, this chapter, or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records."

The following categories of records are generally confidential:

• Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifiable information as protected under RCW § 42.56.230

• Medical Records: Health information protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

• Juvenile Records: Court records for minors, except in specific circumstances outlined in RCW § 13.50.050

• Active Investigations: Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations as exempted under RCW § 42.56.240

• Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Legal advice and communications between county officials and legal counsel

• Employee Personnel Records: Performance evaluations, personal contact information, and other private employment details as protected under RCW § 42.56.250

• Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order pursuant to court rules or statutes

• Adoption Records: Information related to adoptions as protected under RCW § 26.33.330

• Child Welfare Records: Information regarding child protective services cases

• Security Information: Records related to emergency response plans, vulnerability assessments, and security systems as exempted under RCW § 42.56.420

• Proprietary Business Information: Trade secrets and confidential business information submitted to the county

• Real Estate Appraisals: Prior to property acquisition as exempted under RCW § 42.56.260

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Whatcom County will redact only the exempt portions and provide the remainder, as required by RCW § 42.56.210(1).

The county applies a balancing test when considering discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and other potential harms that might result from disclosure.

Whatcom County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Whatcom County Auditor's Office - Recording Division
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-5100
Whatcom County Auditor

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
• Marriage licenses
• UCC filings
• Military discharge records
• Plat maps and surveys
• Certified copies of recorded documents

Whatcom County Clerk's Office (Court Records)
311 Grand Avenue, Room 301
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-5560
Whatcom County Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

• Superior Court case files
• Court exhibits
• Judgments and liens
• Passport application processing
• Certified copies of court documents
• Name change records

Lookup Public Records in Whatcom County

Whatcom County Government

Whatcom County Superior Court Records

Washington State Courts Name and Case Search

Department of Corrections Warrant Search

Washington State Vital Records