Access Whatcom County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Whatcom County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Bellingham. The clerk holds all divorce case files and is responsible for providing public access to dissolution records under RCW 42.56. Whatcom County has about 240,000 residents and the Superior Court handles all family law matters for the area, including Bellingham and surrounding communities. You can search cases online through the Odyssey Portal, email the clerk's office, or visit in person. Divorce records from 1968 forward can also be obtained from the Washington State Department of Health as certified divorce certificates.
Whatcom County Overview
Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk
The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk is Raylene King. The clerk's office is located at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301, in Bellingham. According to the official county page, the clerk serves as the Administrator of Court Records, receiving, processing, and permanently preserving all documents presented in a Superior Court cause of action. For dissolution of marriage cases, this means the clerk holds everything from the initial petition through the final decree.
The clerk also serves as an Ex-Officio Clerk of the Court, establishing an independent record of each hearing through minutes, and as a Quasi-judicial Officer who reviews court documents for errors and issues required legal orders. Staff can provide the status of non-sealed cases, general information on court rules and procedures, court-approved forms, and court schedules. Staff cannot give legal advice, advise on whether to file, or help with filling out forms.
For email requests and general questions, contact the office at sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us or call (360) 778-5618. For the clerk directly, the number is (360) 778-5565.
| Office | Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk (Raylene King) |
|---|---|
| Address |
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98225 |
| Phone (Customer Service) | (360) 778-5618 |
| Phone (Clerk Direct) | (360) 778-5565 |
| sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | whatcomcounty.us - Superior Court Clerk |
The Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk page details the clerk's functions, contact information, and what services are available for dissolution of marriage record requests.
How to Search Whatcom County Dissolution Records
Whatcom County dissolution of marriage records can be searched online through the statewide Odyssey Portal. The portal's smart search service lets you look up cases by full name of the parties, case type, status, filing date, judicial officer, or case number. Select Whatcom County from the court location list. Results include party names, case status, and the docket of filed documents.
The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal allows online searches for Whatcom County dissolution of marriage cases by party name, case number, and other criteria.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301, in Bellingham. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number and pull the case file. If you only need to look at the file without getting copies, you may be able to review it at the counter. For certified copies, you pay at the time of pickup.
The Whatcom County Superior Court website also provides access to case information and court resources. Adoption records, domestic violence records, and family cases involving juveniles are restricted from public access. If your dissolution case file contains any of these restricted elements, access may be limited. For the most straightforward searches, use the Odyssey Portal or contact the clerk by email or phone before visiting.
Fees and Costs
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition in Whatcom County is approximately $295, which covers state-mandated surcharges for court operations, facilities, and technology. The petitioner pays this when filing. Confirm the current fee with the clerk's office before submitting your documents, as fees may change.
Copy fees in Whatcom County follow the standard Washington schedule. For dissolution records from the clerk's office, certified copies cost $5.00 per document for records before 1968. For records from 1968 to the present, certified copies from the Washington State Department of Health cost $25.00 each. Divorce packets for self-represented filers are available at the clerk's office for approximately $20 to $30. Service of process by the sheriff runs $40 to $60. Parenting seminars for cases with children cost $35 to $75.
- Dissolution filing fee: approximately $295
- Certified copies (clerk, pre-1968): $5.00 per document plus $0.50/page
- Certified copies (DOH, 1968 to present): $25.00 each
- Divorce packet (self-represented): approximately $20 to $30
- Sheriff service: approximately $40 to $60
Fee waivers are available. File a motion and financial declaration showing income below 200% of the federal poverty level or receipt of public assistance. Forms are at the clerk's office or on the Washington Courts forms page.
Note: Certified copies of dissolution certificates from 1968 forward can be ordered from the Washington State Department of Health for $25 each. This is a separate record from the court case file.
What Records Are Available
Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk holds the complete case file for every dissolution of marriage filed in the county. Marriage records are maintained separately by the Auditor, while divorce records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk. Dissolution records from January 1, 1968 onward can also be obtained from the Washington State Department of Health. Pre-1968 records are only available through the clerk's office or the Washington State Digital Archives.
The dissolution case file in Whatcom County typically includes the Petition for Dissolution, Summons, financial declarations, any temporary orders, a parenting plan if children are involved, child support worksheets, the settlement agreement, and the Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the official court order that ends the marriage and sets out all terms. Most of this is public record. Adoption case records, domestic violence case records, and family case records involving a juvenile are restricted from public disclosure under Washington General Rule 22.
For dissolution certificates from 1968 onward, the DOH vital records page allows ordering by mail or through VitalChek online. Certified copies from DOH cost $25 each and are issued as official state documents, separate from the court file. For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov has historical materials.
The Washington Department of Health maintains certified divorce certificates for Whatcom County dissolutions from 1968 onward, available separately from the Superior Court case file.
Getting Copies
To get copies from the Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk, visit the office at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301, in Bellingham. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring your photo ID and the case number or party names. Staff can retrieve the file and provide copies. For certified copies, pay at the counter. For email requests, contact sccustomer_service@co.whatcom.wa.us with the case number and a list of the documents you need.
For dissolution certificates from 1968 onward, the Washington State Department of Health processes orders through VitalChek. Call 1-866-687-1464 or visit the DOH vital records page. Cost is $25 per certified copy. For records before 1968, contact the clerk directly or search the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov.
The Whatcom County Superior Court website provides resources for parties involved in dissolution of marriage cases, including links to court forms and clerk services.
Legal Help in Whatcom County
Several organizations help Whatcom County residents with dissolution of marriage cases. Northwest Justice Project covers northwestern Washington, including Whatcom County, and provides free civil legal help to low-income individuals. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org. The Whatcom County Volunteer Lawyer Program also provides assistance to qualifying residents. The CLEAR hotline is available statewide for low-income callers who need telephone legal help.
Self-help guides on dissolution of marriage under RCW Chapter 26.09 are available at washingtonlawhelp.org. Official court forms are at the Washington Courts forms page. For property division, Washington is a community property state under RCW 26.09.080, which means assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally split equitably. For attorney referrals, call the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722 or search the directory at wsba.org.
Cities in Whatcom County
All dissolution of marriage cases from Whatcom County are handled by the Superior Court Clerk at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham, regardless of which community you live in.
Other communities in Whatcom County include Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Birch Bay, Sumas, and Nooksack. All dissolution cases from these areas go through the Whatcom County Superior Court in Bellingham.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Whatcom County. If you live near a county line, check your address to confirm where you should file your dissolution petition.