Whatcom County, Washington Public Records

Mugshots or booking photos in Whatcom County can be accessed through the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. They maintain an online portal where you can view current inmate information, including booking photos. For older records, you may need to submit a public records request to the Sheriff's Office located at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA.

To obtain a criminal background check in Whatcom County, you should contact the Washington State Patrol's Criminal History Section. They provide background checks through their WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) system. Locally, you can also visit the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office for guidance on obtaining state-level background checks.

You can look up sex offenders in Whatcom County by accessing the Washington State Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained to help the public stay informed about registered sex offenders in their area.

Voter registration in Whatcom County is handled by the Whatcom County Elections Office at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103, Bellingham, WA 98225. You can register online at vote.wa.gov through Washington's VoteWA system, by mail using a registration form, or in person at the Elections Office. Registration must be completed at least 8 days before Election Day, though same-day registration is available in person through 8:00 PM on Election Day. As Washington is an all-mail voting state, all registered voters automatically receive ballots by mail for every election.

Property records in Whatcom County are maintained by the Whatcom County Auditor's Office (Recorder) and the Assessor's Office, both located at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. The Auditor's Office provides a free online Recording Search portal for deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents searchable by name or parcel number at whatcomcounty.us/auditor. The Assessor's Office offers a free Property Information Search and interactive GIS mapping system (iMap) showing parcel boundaries, assessed values, ownership, tax history, and aerial photos at whatcomcounty.us/assessor. Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.

Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Whatcom County are available from the Whatcom County Auditor's Office, Vital Records Division, at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103, Bellingham, WA 98225 (phone: 360-778-5298). Certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies ordered simultaneously. You must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest (family member or legal representative) as required by RCW 70.58A. Processing takes approximately 7-10 business days for walk-in requests and up to 4 weeks for mail orders; online ordering through VitalChek is available with additional service fees.

Business entity registrations (corporations, LLCs) are filed with the Washington Secretary of State and searchable free online at sos.wa.gov/corps through the Corporations and Charities Filing System. Fictitious name registrations (DBAs) operating in Whatcom County are filed with the Whatcom County Auditor's Office at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, and can be searched in person or by contacting their office at 360-778-5970. State business licenses and tax permits are managed through the Washington Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service at dor.wa.gov. City-specific business licenses require contacting individual municipal offices in Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Everson, or Sumas.