Whatcom County Public Records /Whatcom County Criminal Records

Whatcom County Criminal Records

What Is Whatcom County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Whatcom County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Washington State's Criminal Records Privacy Act § 10.97, which establishes guidelines for the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in a guilty verdict or plea, which become part of an individual's permanent criminal history.
Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or jail sentences of less than one year.
Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by minors under 18 years of age, which are generally sealed and subject to stricter confidentiality protections under Washington State law.
Warrant Information: Records of active warrants for arrest, which differ from historical arrest records.

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Whatcom County:

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office
311 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-6600
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county.

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

The Superior Court maintains felony case records, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information.

Whatcom County District Court
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-5400
Whatcom County District Court

The District Court maintains records for misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, including traffic violations, DUIs, and other lesser offenses.

Washington State Patrol
Criminal Records Division
PO Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
(360) 534-2000
Washington State Patrol

The Washington State Patrol maintains the central repository of criminal history information for the entire state, including Whatcom County records.

Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process: initial charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing, and any subsequent probation or parole information.

Are Criminal Records Public In Whatcom County

Criminal records in Whatcom County are generally considered public information under the Washington Public Records Act § 42.56, which establishes the public's right to access government records. This statute declares that "the people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them" and that "the people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created."

The Washington Public Records Act creates a presumption of openness, stating that "public records shall be available for inspection and copying" with certain specific exemptions. Under this framework, most adult criminal records in Whatcom County are accessible to the public, including:

Court records of criminal proceedings
Conviction information
Sentencing documents
Booking photos and information
Arrest records (with some limitations)
Incarceration records

However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Several categories of records have restricted access under state law:

Ongoing investigations: Records related to active law enforcement investigations may be withheld if disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Sealed records: Court records that have been officially sealed by judicial order are not publicly accessible.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to offenders under 18 years of age have heightened confidentiality protections under RCW § 13.50.050, though some juvenile records may become public under specific circumstances.
Expunged records: Criminal records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access.
Non-conviction data: Information relating to arrests not leading to conviction may have limited accessibility after a certain period.

The Washington State Criminal Records Privacy Act further regulates the dissemination of criminal history record information, establishing that conviction records may be disseminated without restriction, while non-conviction data has more limited availability.

Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Whatcom County must follow established procedures for records requests, which may vary depending on the maintaining agency and the specific type of record sought.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Whatcom County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Whatcom County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit:

Whatcom County Clerk's Office
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-5560
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Whatcom County Clerk

To conduct a criminal records search in Whatcom County, follow these steps:

Determine the appropriate agency: Identify which agency maintains the specific records you seek (courts, sheriff, prosecutor).
Prepare search criteria: Gather the full name of the subject, date of birth, and case numbers if available. More specific information yields more accurate results.
Submit a public records request:
- For court records: Submit a request to the Whatcom County Clerk's Office using their official request form.
- For law enforcement records: Contact the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Records Division.
- For prosecutor records: Contact the Whatcom County Prosecutor's Office.
Pay applicable fees: Court records searches typically require payment of statutory fees for copies or certified documents. The current fee schedule is available on the Whatcom County website.
Receive and review records: Records may be provided immediately for in-person requests or sent via mail or email for remote requests, depending on volume and complexity.

For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may also contact:

Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section
PO Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
(360) 534-2000
Washington State Patrol Criminal History

The Washington State Patrol provides official criminal history record information (CHRI) that includes statewide data, not limited to Whatcom County. Requestors must submit fingerprints and pay the required fee for a complete criminal history check.

For specialized searches, such as sex offender registration information, the public may contact:

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Registration Unit
311 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-6600
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office

How To Find Criminal Records in Whatcom County Online?

Whatcom County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, allowing members of the public to search for criminal record information from any location with internet access.

The primary online resources for Whatcom County criminal records include:

Washington Courts Search Portal: The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search provides access to court cases throughout Washington, including Whatcom County. Users can search by:
- Name (last name, first name)
- Case number
- Attorney Bar Number
- Judicial Officer
This database includes criminal cases filed in Whatcom County Superior and District Courts, showing case numbers, filing dates, charges, and case status. The system updates daily at 3:00 AM.
Whatcom County Jail Roster: The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office maintains an online jail roster showing current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bail information. This resource is updated regularly and provides real-time information about individuals currently in custody.
Washington State Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search: The Incarcerated Search database allows users to locate individuals currently serving sentences in state correctional facilities, including those convicted in Whatcom County. This resource provides:
- Current location
- Earliest release date
- Conviction information
- Custody level
Washington State Digital Archives: The Washington State Digital Archives maintains historical court records from Whatcom County Superior Court, including criminal cases. This resource is particularly valuable for researching older cases that may not appear in current court databases.
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Records Request Portal: For law enforcement records, the Sheriff's Office provides an online portal for submitting public records requests. While this does not provide immediate access to records, it facilitates the request process.

When using these online resources, users should note:

Some systems require registration or account creation
Certain detailed information may only be available through in-person requests
Online records may not include all attachments or exhibits
Recent cases may experience processing delays before appearing online
Historical records may have limited online availability

For the most comprehensive search results, users may need to utilize multiple platforms, as each system contains different record types and date ranges.

Can You Search Whatcom County Criminal Records for Free?

Washington State law, specifically the Public Records Act § 42.56.120, establishes that agencies may charge fees for providing copies of public records but must allow free inspection of records. In accordance with this statute, Whatcom County provides several options for accessing criminal records without charge.

Free inspection of criminal records is available at:

Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Members of the public may visit the courthouse during regular business hours to inspect publicly available criminal court records at no cost. Computer terminals are available for searching the court's electronic case management system.

Whatcom County Law Library
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 201
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-5790
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Law Library provides public access to legal research materials and court records for self-represented litigants and members of the public.

Free online resources include:

Washington Courts Search Portal: The public can freely access the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search to look up criminal cases in Whatcom County courts without any subscription or access fees.
Whatcom County Jail Roster: The Sheriff's Office provides free online access to current jail population information, including names, booking dates, and charges.
Washington Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search: The public can search for individuals currently serving sentences in state facilities through the DOC Incarcerated Search at no cost.

While inspection of records is free, fees may apply for:

Copies of documents (physical or electronic)
Certified copies of court records
Research assistance requiring staff time
Specialized searches requiring extensive resources
Background checks through the Washington State Patrol

The current fee schedule for Whatcom County records is established by county ordinance and state law. Standard fees include:

Paper copies: $0.15 per page
Certified copies: $5.00 per document
Electronic records: Variable based on storage medium and staff time

Certain requestors, such as indigent defendants and their attorneys, may qualify for fee waivers under specific circumstances as provided by court rules and state law.

What's Included in a Whatcom County Criminal Record?

Whatcom County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Initial charges filed
Bail amount and status
Detention facility information
Arresting officer information
Incident report numbers

Court Case Information:

Case number
Court of jurisdiction (Superior or District)
Filing date
Formal charges and corresponding statute numbers
Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
Plea information
Attorney information (defense counsel and prosecutor)
Hearing dates and outcomes
Motions filed and rulings
Trial information (if applicable)

Disposition Information:

Verdict or outcome (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Probation conditions
- Treatment requirements
- Community service
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history references

The Washington State Digital Archives maintains historical Whatcom County Superior Court records, including criminal cases dating back several decades. These archives provide valuable historical context for older criminal matters.

Criminal records in Whatcom County are maintained in compliance with the Washington Criminal Records Privacy Act § 10.97, which governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information throughout the state.

It should be noted that juvenile records contain similar information but are subject to different confidentiality rules and may not be included in standard criminal record searches unless specifically authorized by court order or statute.

How Long Does Whatcom County Keep Criminal Records?

Whatcom County retains criminal records according to schedules established by the Washington State Archives under the authority of RCW § 40.14, which governs the preservation and destruction of public records. These retention periods vary based on record type, case severity, and outcome.

The standard retention periods for criminal records in Whatcom County are:

Felony Case Records:

Capital offenses (death penalty eligible): Permanent retention
Class A felonies (murder, rape, arson): Permanent retention
Class B felonies (assault, robbery): 20 years after case closure
Class C felonies (theft, drug possession): 10 years after case closure

Misdemeanor Case Records:

Gross misdemeanors (DUI, domestic violence): 10 years after case closure
Simple misdemeanors: 5 years after case closure
Infractions: 3 years after case closure

Arrest Records:

Arrests resulting in conviction: Retained with corresponding case file
Arrests not resulting in charges: 3 years from date of arrest
Arrests with charges dismissed: 3 years from date of dismissal

Jail Records:

Booking information: 6 years after release
Inmate medical records: 10 years after release
Jail incident reports: 6 years after creation

Investigative Records:

Homicide investigations: Permanent retention
Sexual assault investigations: 75 years
Other felony investigations: 10 years after case closure
Misdemeanor investigations: 5 years after case closure

Sex Offender Registration Records:

Level III offenders: Permanent retention
Level I and II offenders: 15 years after registration requirement ends

The Washington State Patrol maintains the central repository of criminal history information and retains conviction records permanently. Non-conviction data may be removed from active files after specific time periods as outlined in the Criminal Records Privacy Act § 10.97.060.

Historical court records from Whatcom County are transferred to the Washington State Archives for permanent preservation after their active retention period expires. These records become part of the Washington State Digital Archives, where they remain accessible for historical and research purposes.

It is important to note that while records may be retained for the periods specified, their accessibility to the public may be limited by sealing orders, expungements, or statutory restrictions on dissemination.

Lookup Criminal Records in Whatcom County

Whatcom County official website

Washington State Department of Corrections incarcerated search

Washington State Courts name and case search

Washington State Patrol criminal history records

Washington State Digital Archives - Whatcom County court records