Criminal records in Whatcom County, Washington, are available through several channels. WhatcomCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. In addition to this resource, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk's office. Online portals, in-person court visits, and written requests are all viable ways to access county criminal records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Whatcom
There are several proven methods for searching criminal records in Whatcom County. Here's what you'll need to get started: the person's full name, date of birth (if known), or case number.
Online Search
- WhatcomCourt.us — start here to find publicly available information about county court cases.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — the Washington Judicial Information System (JIS) portal. Data is updated daily at 3:00 AM. You can search by name or case number. Note: Copies of court case documents are not issued through this site — they must be ordered directly from the court.
- Search Washington Courts Cases — allows you to select a specific court, including Whatcom County Superior Court, and search cases by various criteria.
- Department of Corrections Warrant Search — can be filtered by Whatcom County, searched by last name, first name, DOC number, or crime type.
- DOC Inmate Search — information about individuals currently serving sentences in state correctional facilities.
In-Person Visit
The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk maintains original court case files. Many courts in Washington have public access terminals directly in the courthouse where you can view index information through JIS. To view actual case documents, contact the clerk.
Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk's Office
Mail or Written Request
- Court Records: Send a written request to the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Court records are not subject to the Washington State Public Records Act but are generally open for public inspection unless restricted by law or court order.
- State-Level Criminal History: Submit a completed request to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). The criminal history report is based on fingerprint records and court decision information from across the state.
Search Whatcom Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Washington, Superior Court case numbers follow a standard format. The typical structure is as follows:
- County Code — a two-digit numerical code (for Whatcom County, it's 37)
- Case Type Code — one or two letters indicating the category. Criminal cases are usually marked with the letter 1 (felony) or 2 (misdemeanor), as well as codes like CR (criminal)
- Year of Filing — a two-digit number
- Sequential Number — a unique number assigned to the case within the year
For example, a case number might look like 37-1-00123-45, where 37 is Whatcom County, 1 is felony, 00123 is the sequential number, and the last digits are the check number. The exact format may vary slightly depending on the court level (Superior Court, District Court, or Municipal Court).
If you know the case number, enter it into the state case search portal — this is the quickest way to obtain information about a specific case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Whatcom
Each criminal case in the Whatcom County Superior Court contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code (RCW) | Reference to the specific article of the Revised Code of Washington under which the charge is brought |
| Felony | A serious crime — may result in imprisonment for more than a year in a state correctional facility |
| Misdemeanor | A less serious offense — punishment up to 364 days in a local jail |
| Gross misdemeanor | A more serious type of misdemeanor — up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine up to $5,000 |
| Infraction | A violation that is not a crime (e.g., a traffic ticket) |
| Amended charges | Charges changed by the prosecutor after the initial filing — may be reduced or changed to another article |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision yet
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the case is resolved: verdict, dismissal, or other final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, the case is closed
Types of Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are announced, bail is set
- Preliminary hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (mainly applies to felony)
- Pre-trial conference — parties discuss procedural issues, possible agreements
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — imposing a penalty after a guilty plea or verdict
- Review hearing — a control hearing to check compliance with the terms of the sentence
Court Results
- Guilty — found guilty
- Not guilty — found not guilty
- Dismissed — the case is closed without a verdict
- Acquitted — acquitted by the court or jury
- Deferred sentence — sentencing is postponed on condition of meeting certain requirements
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Whatcom
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with the court's seal. They are often required for employment, immigration cases, or other legal purposes.
Through the Superior Court Clerk's Office
The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk is the custodian of all county court records. You can request documents:
- In person — at the courthouse
- By mail — by sending a written request with the case number, party name, and type of document needed
- Online — through the Odyssey Portal, where registered users can gain extended access to documents (authorization through the clerk)
For the request, you will need: the case number or the defendant's full name, type of document, and valid identification (for in-person requests).
Through Washington State Patrol
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history report, submit a request to the WSP Criminal History Section. You need to fill out the official request form and provide fingerprints (for fingerprint-based checks) or just identification data (for name-based checks).
Historical court cases from Whatcom County Superior Court (since 2000) are also available through the Washington State Digital Archives. Access to these archival records is governed by Washington State Court Rules.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Whatcom
Below are the approximate fees charged for copies and certification of criminal records. Exact amounts may vary — check current rates directly with the clerk's office.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 | Standard rate for court records in Washington State |
| Document certification | $5.00 | Per certified document, plus copy costs |
| Criminal history report (WSP, name-based) | $32.00 | Submitted through Washington State Patrol |
| Criminal history report (WSP, fingerprint-based) | $32.00+ | May include additional fingerprinting fees |
Processing Times
- Copies of court documents through the clerk: usually 1–5 business days for in-person requests; mail requests may take longer
- WSP report (name-based): approximately 10 business days
- WSP report (fingerprint-based): may take up to 2–4 weeks depending on workload
Payment at the clerk's office is typically accepted in cash, check, or money order. For clarification on acceptable payment methods and current rates, contact the clerk's office directly.