Find DUI Records in Bellingham
Bellingham DUI records are maintained at two levels of court. Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI cases filed within Bellingham city limits go to Bellingham Municipal Court at 2014 C St. Felony DUI offenses, which apply on a fourth or higher conviction within ten years, move to Whatcom County Superior Court. Both courts have public records accessible online. This page explains how to search those records, what information they contain, and how Washington's DUI penalties work for cases processed in Bellingham.
Bellingham Overview
Searching Bellingham DUI Records Online
The Washington Courts public access portal at dw.courts.wa.gov covers district and municipal court cases across the state, including Bellingham Municipal Court. You can search by name or case number without creating an account. Results show the defendant's name, the charge or charges, hearing dates, and the current case status. This is the right place to start for most DUI lookups involving Bellingham cases.
For felony DUI cases handled at the county level, use the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. Whatcom County Superior Court uses this system. You can search by party name or case number. The Odyssey Portal shows docket entries, scheduled hearings, and case outcomes. Access is free and no login is required.
If an online search returns no results, it could mean:
- The case was filed in a different jurisdiction
- The record is older and not yet digitized
- The charge was not filed as a DUI (sometimes reduced at charging)
- The case was handled in Whatcom County District Court rather than Bellingham Municipal Court
In those situations, contact the court clerk directly for a manual records search.
Bellingham Municipal Court
Bellingham Municipal Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal matters that occur within the city. Most DUI arrests in Bellingham result in gross misdemeanor charges for first, second, or third offenses. The court is located near city hall on C Street and is the main venue for lower-level DUI cases.
Bellingham Municipal Court handles DUI cases within city limits. The court is located at 2014 C St, Bellingham, WA 98225. Call (360) 778-8150 with questions. Search cases online at dw.courts.wa.gov.
The court file for each case contains the charging document, all motions, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. If probation was imposed, the terms are in the judgment and sentence document. Cases that went through deferred prosecution will also show up in the record, though their status is distinct from standard convictions.
Records at Bellingham Municipal Court go back many years. Older paper files may not appear in the online portal. For records from the 1990s or earlier, call the court directly to ask about availability and any fees for retrieval from archives.
Whatcom County Superior Court for Felony DUI
When a Bellingham DUI qualifies as a felony, the case transfers to Whatcom County Superior Court. A DUI becomes a Class B felony on the fourth or subsequent offense within ten years, or when the driver has a prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction. Felony DUI is much more serious and carries potential prison time.
Whatcom County Superior Court handles felony DUI cases from Bellingham. The court is located at 311 Grand Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225. Call (360) 778-5850 with questions. Search cases online at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov.
The Superior Court is in downtown Bellingham, not far from the municipal court. For felony DUI records, you can search the Odyssey Portal online or visit the clerk's office in person. The clerk can pull case files, provide copies, and certify documents. Call (360) 778-5850 before visiting to confirm hours and what identification you need to bring.
Washington DUI Law and Penalties in Bellingham
Washington's DUI statute is RCW 46.61.502. It prohibits driving a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any other drug. The legal BAC limit is 0.08. The per se THC limit for cannabis is 5.00 nanograms per milliliter of blood. Drivers under 21 have a stricter standard of 0.02 BAC. Commercial vehicle operators face a 0.04 threshold.
Mandatory minimums are set out in RCW 46.61.5055. First offense with BAC under 0.15: minimum 24 hours in jail, $350 fine. First offense with BAC at 0.15 or higher, or test refusal: minimum 48 hours in jail, $500 fine. Second offense: minimum 30 days in jail plus 60 days electronic home monitoring, $500 fine. Third and subsequent offenses bring longer mandatory jail time and increased fines. Courts also commonly impose probation, a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and community service hours.
An ignition interlock device is required for license reinstatement after most DUI convictions. The device requires the driver to pass a breath test before the vehicle will start. The required duration depends on the offense level and BAC. First-time offenders with lower BAC levels generally face shorter interlock periods than repeat offenders.
What a Bellingham DUI Record Contains
Court records for a DUI case in Bellingham include the charging document filed by the prosecutor, police report summaries incorporated into court filings, all pre-trial motions and responses, any deferred prosecution agreement or plea agreement, and the judgment and sentence entered by the judge. If there was a bench trial or jury trial, the record also includes the court's findings or the jury verdict.
These records are public documents under RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act. Any person may request copies. There is no requirement to explain why you want them. However, certain documents within a case file can be withheld if they fall under a statutory exemption, such as records that could identify a confidential witness or endanger someone's safety.
Juvenile DUI records are not public. Cases involving defendants under 18 are handled in juvenile court under different rules. Those records are sealed by default and are not accessible through the standard public portals.
How to Request Copies of DUI Court Records
For Bellingham Municipal Court records, call (360) 778-8150 to ask about availability and request procedures. You can request copies in person during court hours or submit a written request. Fees are $0.50 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that. Some older or archived files may require additional processing time.
For Whatcom County Superior Court records, contact the clerk's office at (360) 778-5850 or visit 311 Grand Ave in Bellingham. The same copy fee schedule applies. If you need records for court proceedings, an attorney admission, or an immigration matter, ask specifically for a certified copy of the judgment and sentence. That document confirms the charge, the finding of guilt, and the sentence imposed.
Written public records requests can also be sent by mail to either court. Include the full name of the defendant, the approximate case year, and the specific documents you need. This helps staff locate the correct file and speeds up the process.
Driver's License Suspension Records
A DUI arrest in Bellingham starts two parallel processes. The court handles the criminal case. The Washington Department of Licensing handles the administrative license suspension. These are independent, and the outcome of one does not automatically control the other. A driver who is acquitted in court can still lose their license through the DOL process based on a breath test result or refusal.
The DOL suspends driving privileges when a driver fails a breath test or refuses to take one. The driver has a short window to request a hearing to contest the suspension. Missing that deadline results in automatic suspension. DOL records showing license status, suspension history, and reinstatement conditions are accessible through DOL's online services. The DOL's DUI resource page at dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/duiresources.html explains current suspension rules and what is needed to get a license back after a DUI.
Nearby Cities
These Washington cities near Bellingham also have DUI cases processed through state and local courts.
Whatcom County DUI Records
Bellingham is the county seat of Whatcom County. For county-level court resources, Superior Court information, and county-wide DUI record access, visit the Whatcom County DUI records page.