Whatcom County Court Docket Records

Whatcom County court docket records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Bellingham, Washington. The Clerk's Office processes and preserves all documents presented in Superior Court cases, and the county uses the Odyssey Portal for public case searches. The District Court handles limited-jurisdiction matters and has its own records request process. This page explains how to search Whatcom County court dockets online, request document copies, and understand what is available through each court in Bellingham and the rest of the county.

Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk

The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk receives, processes, and preserves forever all documents presented in a Superior Court case. The Clerk serves a quasi-judicial function: reviewing court documents for errors, issuing letters testamentary, warrants of arrest, orders of sale, writs of execution, garnishment, attachments, restitution, and establishing judgments. As Ex-Officio Clerk of the Court, the Clerk must be present at every court hearing or trial to receive and keep a record of all exhibits entered by the parties.

Attorneys filing documents in Whatcom County should note a strict policy: the Clerk cannot accept documents that are not properly signed. Typed names, /s/ typed names, and cursive typed names are not acceptable. This applies to all court filings submitted to the Whatcom County Clerk's Office. Documents with improper signatures will be rejected.

Court staff can tell you a case's status, unless it is sealed, and can provide general information on court rules and procedures, court-approved forms, court schedules and calendars, and how to schedule hearings. Staff cannot provide legal advice, advise on whether to file a case, help fill out forms, or speculate on judicial decisions.

Search Whatcom County Court Dockets Online

The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal offers Smart Search for Whatcom County Superior Court cases by party name. You can filter results by case type, case status, filing date, and judicial officer. The portal is free for basic public searches and provides case information, docket entries, and hearing schedules. To get document-level access, you need to register for an enhanced account on the portal.

The Washington Courts DW Case Search also covers Whatcom County courts at all levels including District and Municipal courts. Use this for traffic infraction or misdemeanor case searches from anywhere in the county. The DW portal updates daily and is free to use. Both portals display only public case information. Sealed, confidential, and certain juvenile records will not appear in search results.

Copy fees for Whatcom County are clearly structured. Plain copies from the District Court cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies from the District Court cost $5. Superior Court certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. For records not found online, contact the Clerk's Office or submit a records request form to the District Court at whatcomcounty.us/2267/Records-Requests.

Whatcom County District Court

The Whatcom County District Court at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401, Bellingham, WA 98225, handles limited-jurisdiction cases. Criminal misdemeanor cases carry a maximum penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Criminal gross misdemeanor cases carry a maximum penalty of up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Civil cases cover general civil actions up to $100,000; the court does not hear cases involving title to or possession of real property. Small claims are heard up to $10,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses.

The District Court also handles traffic and code violation infractions, civil protection order petitions, name change petitions, and contested vehicle impound hearings. A domestic violence service advocate is available at the court to assist survivors with protection orders. Hours and the specific location for that resource are listed on the District Court page. The 24-hour DVSAS Helpline is 1-877-715-1563 for anyone who needs immediate support.

For District Court records requests, complete a Whatcom County District Court Records Request Form. Completed forms can be emailed or faxed to (360) 778-5401 or mailed to Whatcom County District Court, 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401, Bellingham, WA 98225. Records will be sent to the requestor, who is responsible for forwarding them to any intended third party.

Whatcom County Superior Court Departments

The Whatcom County Superior Court is one of 39 Superior Courts in Washington. Five Superior Court Judges are elected to four-year terms: Robert E. Olson (Department I), Evan Jones (Department 2), Lee Grochmal (Department 3), David E. Freeman serving as Presiding Judge in Department 4, and Jennifer Slattery in Department 5. Four Court Commissioners also serve: Ann Vetter-Hansen, Jonathan Richardson, Lisa M. Keeler, and Kacie B. Emerick.

Case types handled by the Superior Court include adult felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, divorce and child custody and support, probate, guardianships and conservatorships, paternity actions, adoptions, juvenile cases, mental illness cases including involuntary commitment, and Water Rights Adjudication for WRIA 1. The Water Rights Adjudication (WRIA 1) is a notable and active matter in Whatcom County related to the Nooksack River watershed and has generated a significant body of docket entries over many years.

All case records and docket entries for Whatcom County Superior Court are searchable through the Odyssey Portal. The Washington State Digital Archives also holds older Whatcom County Superior Court case files for cases that predate the current electronic system. For archived records not available online, contact the Clerk's Office directly.

Cities in Whatcom County

Whatcom County includes Bellingham and other communities in northwest Washington. Browse the city page below for Bellingham court docket information.

Nearby Counties

Whatcom County is in the far northwest corner of Washington. Use the links below to find court docket information for neighboring counties.