Specific Functions of the County Clerk include:

Administrator of the Court Records and Exhibits: The Clerk receives, processes, and preserves forever all documents presented in a Superior Court Cause of Action.

Quasi-judicial Officer: The Clerk serves a quasi-judicial function. In this function, the Clerk must review court documents for possible errors, perform acts required by law, issue letters testamentary, warrants of arrest, orders of sale, writs of execution, garnishment, attachments, restitution, and set up judgments.

Ex-Officio Clerk of the Court: Under the Constitution of the State of Washington, the Clerk has the title of "Ex-Officio Clerk of the Court." This requires the clerk's presence at court sessions for the purpose of establishing an independent record of each hearing called "minutes" which are available to the public. The Clerk must also be present at every court hearing or trial to receive and keep a record of all exhibits (evidence) entered by the parties.

Court Staff CAN Provide:

• The status of specific cases filed with this court (provided the case is not sealed due to State law or Judicial decision)
• General information on court rules, procedures, and practices.
• Court approved forms (forms are not always available for all legal proceedings)
• Court schedules/calendars
• How to schedule hearings

Court Staff CANNOT Provide:

• Legal advice - If you are asking "how?" you are probably asking for legal advice.
• Advice on whether a case should be filed or what kind of action should be taken.
• Advice on what to say in court.
• Filling out forms or what words to put on a form.
• Speculation on what decisions the Judicial officer might make

Filing Information:
At this time we do not accept electronic or faxed filings. All documents must be brought in or mailed to the Clerk's Office. If you would like to have conformed copies at the time of filing you will need to be provide them along with a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) if you mailed them in. Otherwise documents will be available online in a few days.

Ex-Parte:
You have 2 options:  (A) drop off/mail in orders at the Clerks Office for a $30.00 fee to be put into the Judicial basket for signature at any time, or (B)  present orders for no charge in person at the Ex-Parte Calendar on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 5B (5th floor), on a first come, first serve basis. There is no guarantee your order will be signed.
  
Judge's Copies
Judge's copies and document's that require the assigned Judge's signature should be sent to the Judicial Assistants. Do not send documents for filing.

Please clearly indicate which Judge you are mailing to. Judicial Assistant's mailing address is:

P.O. Box 1144
Bellingham, WA 98227

Please be aware that, effective immediately,  you will no longer be able to view individual documents in your case.
 
Access to Files

Due to changes in our case management system, documents filed in Superior Court cases are no longer viewable online. You may access the document list in our cases by following the link HERE.
 
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: Even if you reside in Whatcom County, access to documents in your file are via email or phone request only! For everyone's health and safety the public viewing room is shut down for the foreseeable future. 
 
 

Out of County Document Requests

Please be aware that prepayment is required before copies can be made.

You may email your request (sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us)
OR 
You may request copies by phone at (360) 778-5560
   
Please note: Certified copies CANNOT be obtained electronically!