Find Felony Records in Bellingham
Bellingham felony records are maintained at the Whatcom County level through Whatcom County Superior Court, which handles all serious criminal cases filed in and around the city. If you are looking to search or obtain Bellingham felony records, you will work through the county's clerk system rather than any city-level court. This page explains how felony records are organized in Bellingham, where to find them online, how to request copies, and what other sources provide criminal history information.
Bellingham Overview
Whatcom County Superior Court and Bellingham Felony Cases
All felony cases involving Bellingham residents or offenses committed in Bellingham go to Whatcom County Superior Court. This includes Class A, B, and C felonies under Washington's Sentencing Reform Act. The Superior Court is located in the Whatcom County Courthouse in Bellingham. The clerk's office handles case filings, record requests, and certified copy orders.
To request documents from Whatcom County Superior Court, you use the court's document request process. The Whatcom County document requests page explains how to submit a request, what information is needed, and how long it takes to receive records. Copy fees in Washington are set at $0.50 per page as a standard rate, with additional charges for certified copies.
The image below is from Whatcom County's document request page. Visit Whatcom County document requests to start the process for obtaining Bellingham felony case records.
Having the case number speeds up the process considerably. If you only have a name, the clerk can search by name for a fee.
Bellingham Municipal Court vs. Superior Court
Bellingham operates its own municipal court at Bellingham Municipal Court. This court handles criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. It does not handle felony cases. When a case involves a felony charge, it must go to Whatcom County Superior Court. The distinction matters when you search for records.
If you are looking for felony records and only search the municipal court system, you will not find them. The municipal court handles things like first-offense DUI, minor assault charges, and other lower-level offenses. Serious charges like robbery, drug trafficking, or assault in the first degree will always appear in Superior Court records.
Below is a screenshot of the Bellingham Municipal Court criminal page. The Bellingham Municipal Court site provides contact information and explains the court's jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases.
For felonies, skip the municipal court and go directly to Whatcom County Superior Court records.
Bellingham Police Records Bureau
The Bellingham Police Department runs a Records Bureau that handles requests for police reports, incident records, and arrest information. The bureau provides 24-hour coverage and can be reached through the Bellingham Police Records Bureau page. Arrest records from Bellingham PD are not the same as court records. An arrest shows a person was taken into custody, but it does not tell you whether charges were filed or how the case ended.
For court outcomes, you need to check Whatcom County Superior Court. Police records and court records complement each other but come from different agencies. If you want the full picture, you may need to request records from both.
Washington's criminal record privacy rules under RCW 10.97 govern how arrest and non-conviction records can be shared. Records of arrests that did not lead to conviction may have limited public availability under this statute.
Submit your records request through the bureau's online portal or by visiting the department in person at the Bellingham police station.
City of Bellingham Public Records Requests
The City of Bellingham handles public records requests through its central records office. Contact is through Officer Kelley Goetz at publicrecords@cob.org or by calling (360) 778-8156. The City of Bellingham public records page has the submission form and instructions.
City public records cover documents generated by city government, including city contracts, meeting records, and administrative files. Criminal case records held by the court are not city records. The city clerk's process does not give you access to Whatcom County court files.
If you are not sure which agency holds the record you need, start with the city's public records office. They can direct you to the right department or agency if your request falls outside their scope.
WATCH System for Bellingham Conviction Records
The WATCH online portal is run by the Washington State Patrol and provides public access to conviction history statewide. A WATCH name search costs $11.00. You pay by credit card and get results quickly. The system covers felony convictions from all Washington counties, including Whatcom County cases from Bellingham.
WATCH is built from court records, fingerprint submissions, and agency reports. It covers felony and serious misdemeanor convictions. Pending cases and arrests that did not result in conviction are generally not included. For a more detailed background check or fingerprint-based search, the WSP Criminal History Records division handles those requests.
WATCH is often the best first step when you want to check a person's Washington criminal history without searching each county separately. Bellingham felony convictions that were reported to the state system will appear in WATCH results.
Privacy rules under RCW 10.97 determine what the WATCH system can and cannot show. Non-conviction arrests and certain sensitive records are withheld from public view as required by law.
Vacating Felony Convictions in Bellingham
Under RCW 9.94A.640, some people with felony convictions in Bellingham may be able to vacate the conviction after meeting certain conditions. A vacated conviction is removed from the public court record, though law enforcement agencies may still hold internal records.
Not all felonies are eligible. Class A felonies, sex offenses, and violent crimes are generally excluded. Class B and C felonies may qualify if the sentence is complete, all fines and restitution are paid, and the required waiting period has passed without new offenses. The motion is filed in Whatcom County Superior Court, which handled the original case.
The waiting period varies by offense type and class. After the court grants the vacation, the clerk updates the case record, and the WATCH system should reflect the change. Local legal aid organizations in Whatcom County can help walk you through the eligibility requirements and filing process.
Digital Archives and Historical Bellingham Records
Older Bellingham felony records that have been moved out of active court files may be stored in state or county archives. The Washington Digital Archives holds digitized records from various state and local agencies, though coverage of court records varies by county and time period.
For very old cases, you may need to contact the Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk directly to find out whether a specific record has been transferred to archival storage and how to access it. The clerk's office can confirm what is available and what steps are needed to get copies.
The DOC warrant search is available for checking active warrant status for people under Washington Department of Corrections supervision. It is a free tool and covers warrant information statewide.
Whatcom County Felony Records
All Bellingham felony cases are filed within the Whatcom County court system. The county page has detailed information on the courthouse, clerk's office, and record request options for the full county.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in northwest Washington also route felony cases through their respective county superior courts. You can check records for these communities through their county court systems.