Search Whatcom County Arrest Records

Whatcom County arrest records and jail booking data are available through the county's online inmate databases, which include a live jail roster and historical records going back to 1996. This page covers how to use the jail roster, request records, and understand what information is public under Washington law.

Whatcom County Jail Roster

The Whatcom County Jail Roster shows everyone currently in custody at the county jail. You can search by name and click through to an individual's detail record. Each entry in the roster shows the inmate's name, booking date, facility assignment, floor, cell location, and name ID number.

The roster is a live view of who is in custody right now. It does not show people who have been released. If someone was booked and released the same day, they may not appear on the current roster. For released individuals, you need the historical booking database, which is covered below.

The jail is located at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225. Phone is 360-778-6500. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The county also operates a Work Center at 2030 Division Street, Bellingham, WA 98226, reached at 360-778-6450. Some inmates are housed at the Work Center rather than the main jail, so check both roster entries if you are not finding someone.

Whatcom County Inmate Databases

The Whatcom County Inmate Databases page gives access to three separate tools: the live jail roster, a jail bookings by date report, and a jail releases report. These are distinct from each other. The booking and release reports let you look at activity over a range of dates, not just current custody status.

Historical booking data goes back to 1996. That is a significant archive. If you need to find a record from years ago, the database is your best starting point before submitting a formal records request. You can search by name and date range. The data includes booking dates, charges at time of booking, and facility assignments.

These tools are publicly accessible and free to use. You do not need an account or login. The county makes them available as part of its commitment to public records transparency under Washington law. That said, the data reflects what was recorded at the time of booking; it does not show what happened in court afterward. For court outcomes, you need to check the Washington Courts case search system separately.

Requesting Whatcom County Jail Records

The Whatcom County Jail Records request page outlines what is public and how to ask for it. Under RCW 70.48.100, certain information about any person booked into the county jail must be made public on request. That includes the inmate's name, booking dates, charges, offense dates, bail amount, and the arresting agency.

All other records held by the jail are confidential by default. They can only be released to the inmate themselves, to a third party with the inmate's written permission, or under a court order. This covers things like disciplinary records, medical notes, security classifications, and housing placement details.

You have several ways to submit a records request. You can mail it to the jail at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225. You can appear in person during business hours, which are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can submit the request online through the county's portal. You can also email the jail records team at Jail_Records@co.Whatcom.wa.us or fax to 360-778-6451. If you need records quickly, emailing is often the most efficient route.

For medical records, the process is a bit different. You will need to fill out a signed Release of Information form. Mail it to: Whatcom County Jail, Attn: Medical Records, 311 Grand Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225. The medical fax is 360-738-2466. Medical records are not released on general public records requests. You must be the inmate or have legal authorization.

What Washington Law Says About Arrest Records

Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, is the main law that gives the public access to government records including arrest data. Agencies must respond within five business days. They can ask for more time if the request is large or complex, but they must let you know and give you a timeline.

Jail records fall under both RCW 42.56 and RCW 70.48.100. The jail statute is more specific about what must be released from detention facilities. When the two laws overlap, the more specific jail statute generally controls. That is why some jail records that might otherwise be subject to disclosure under the general PRA are still kept confidential under the jail statute.

Arrest does not mean conviction. Records of an arrest without a conviction still appear in the public jail booking database, but they carry different legal weight. Washington law limits how non-conviction data can be used and shared by agencies. If you were arrested and charges were dropped or you were found not guilty, you may have options to seek a vacation of the arrest record through the courts.

Cities in Whatcom County

Bellingham is the county seat and the largest city in Whatcom County, with a dedicated arrest records page for city-specific resources.

Nearby Counties

Counties adjacent to Whatcom follow the same state public records laws but operate their own jail systems and request procedures.