Bellingham City Records
Bellingham public records are handled by the City of Bellingham's Public Records Officer and are available through the city's official records portal. Bellingham is Whatcom County's seat with roughly 92,314 residents in the northwest corner of Washington. The city maintains its own records separate from the county and has a wide range of documents available online without a request. For permits, ordinances, police clearance letters, court filings, and city contracts, this page covers where to go and how to ask.
Bellingham Overview
Bellingham Public Records Office
The City of Bellingham's Public Records Officer is Kelley Goetz. She can be reached at publicrecords@cob.org or by phone at (360) 778-8156. The main records page is at cob.org/gov/public-records. The city makes a large number of records available online at no charge, so check the city's website before submitting a formal request. You may find what you need without waiting.
The Bellingham public records office is the first stop for requesting city government documents, with many records already available online.
Records available online without a request include city databases, meeting materials, budget documents, the Bellingham Municipal Code, contracts, City Council minutes, ordinances and resolutions, crime statistics, GIS data, planning notices, police daily activity logs, Public Works guidelines, and the city's business registry. If what you need is not in those categories, submit a request to Kelley Goetz. The city must respond within five business days per RCW 42.56.520.
| Public Records Officer | Kelley Goetz |
|---|---|
| publicrecords@cob.org | |
| Phone | (360) 778-8156 |
| Records Page | cob.org/gov/public-records |
How to Request Bellingham Records
Email publicrecords@cob.org or call (360) 778-8156 to submit a request. Be specific about what you want. Include the type of record, the time period, and any names or case numbers that might help. Under Washington's Public Records Act, you do not need to explain why you want the records. The city will confirm receipt and give you a timeline.
The city processes requests in the order they are received. For large or complex requests, the city may release records in batches. Standard copy fees under state law are $0.15 per page for paper copies unless actual costs come out higher. Electronic delivery is available for digital files. If the city denies a request or withholds portions of a record, it must cite the specific exemption under RCW 42.56 that applies. You can ask the Washington State Attorney General's Office for help at AGOOmbuds@atg.wa.gov or (360) 570-3418 if a request is wrongly denied.
Bellingham Municipal Court Records
Bellingham Municipal Court is located at 2014 C Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. The court handles city ordinance violations and misdemeanor criminal cases. Court records are not subject to the Washington Public Records Act. They are governed by common law and Washington Court General Rules 31 and 31.1. To get court documents, contact the court directly.
Bellingham Municipal Court records are available through the court's own filing system, separate from city public records requests.
| Address | 2014 C Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (360) 778-8150 |
| Fax | (360) 778-8151 |
| court@cob.org | |
| Court Files Page | cob.org/gov/court/files |
Bellingham Police Department Records
The Bellingham Police Records Division handles police reports, incident records, and clearance letters. Call (360) 778-8800 to reach the division. A police certificate or clearance letter costs $10. You must provide valid ID and have your signature notarized when requesting a clearance letter.
The Bellingham Police Records Division processes incident reports, clearance letters, and police records requests for the city.
Police records requests in Bellingham go through the city's public records process under RCW 42.56. Investigative records may be withheld if disclosure would harm an active investigation per RCW 42.56.240. Incident reports and other completed case records are generally available. Body camera and in-car video footage requests take longer to process due to required redactions.
What Bellingham City Records Include
Bellingham city records cover all documents created or used by city departments in official business. The range is broad. City Council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, budgets, contracts, permits, planning applications, public works documents, grant agreements, and administrative files all qualify. The Public Records Act also covers emails, text messages, photographs, and video files used by city staff in their official roles.
Bellingham posts a significant portion of its records online at no cost. That includes the municipal code, contract database, meeting materials, and planning notices. Check the city website first. If the record you need is not already posted, submit a written request to the Public Records Officer. The city handles thousands of requests each year and maintains a consistent process for all requestors regardless of who they are or why they want the records.
Note: Bellingham Municipal Court records are not public records under RCW 42.56. Contact court@cob.org or call (360) 778-8150 for court document access.
Whatcom County Records for Bellingham
Whatcom County holds records that are separate from the city. Superior Court filings, property deeds, title records, the county recording office, and Whatcom County Sheriff records all belong to the county. If you need records from a Superior Court case or property transaction, go to the county rather than the city.
Whatcom County Superior Court is located in the county courthouse in downtown Bellingham. The county recorder handles deeds and mortgages. For detailed information on Whatcom County offices, fees, and online search tools, visit the Whatcom County public records page.
Online Tools for Bellingham Records
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov provides free public access to Superior Court case data across Washington, including Whatcom County cases involving Bellingham residents. Search by name or case number without creating an account.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds historical records from Bellingham and Whatcom County going back many decades. The archives are free and require no request form. For open government guidance and help with denied requests, visit atg.wa.gov/open-government or contact the state ombudsman at (360) 570-3418.
Nearby Washington Cities
These cities are near Bellingham in northwestern Washington. Each maintains separate city-level public records.