US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 53073

Whatcom County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Whatcom County, Washington. Serving a population of 231.919 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Bellingham • Land Area: 2107,949 sq mi • State: Washington (WA)
Call: (360) 841-8663 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Whatcom County Courthouse / Recording Office, Bellingham, WA 98225

Seat of government for Whatcom County in Bellingham, WA.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(360) 841-8663

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 53073 • Coordinates: 48.8427° N, -121.8364° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Whatcom County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Whatcom County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by RCW 36.18.010 (High base recording fee due to state housing surcharge)
First Page Base Fee
$203.50
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$1.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
Graduated Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) 1.1% to 3.0% depending on selling price
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Washington:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Whatcom County

License Fee $69.00
Waiting Period 72 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Whatcom County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Mandatory 3-day waiting period from date of application. Valid 60 days.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $25.00
Death Cert $25.00
Marriage Cert $25.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Washington State Department of Health Center for Health Statistics and the local Whatcom County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Whatcom County

Filing Fee: $24.00
1. Filing Authority

In Whatcom County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Washington State Department of Revenue.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Washington.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name registration filed directly through the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Whatcom County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Whatcom County Washington State Department of Revenue. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Washington.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Washington Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Washington Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Washington county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Washington Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Washington

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Washington recording offices:

Skagit County Seat: Mount Vernon
~24.2 mi →
Snohomish County Seat: Everett
~54.5 mi →
Island County Seat: Coupeville
~60.8 mi →
San Juan County Seat: Friday Harbor
~62.3 mi →
Chelan County Seat: Wenatchee
~87.9 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Whatcom County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Whatcom County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Whatcom County office is located at Whatcom County Courthouse / Recording Office, Bellingham, WA 98225. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (360) 841-8663.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Whatcom County?
Under Washington statute (RCW 36.18.010 (High base recording fee due to state housing surcharge)), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Whatcom County costs $203.50 for the first page, plus $1.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: Graduated Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) 1.1% to 3.0% depending on selling price.
How do I obtain a marriage license in Whatcom County, WA?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Whatcom County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $69.00. Washington requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Whatcom County?
In Whatcom County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Washington State Department of Revenue with a standard statutory filing fee of $24.00. Trade name registration filed directly through the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Whatcom County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $25.00 and death certificates starting at $25.00) can be requested through the Washington State Department of Health Center for Health Statistics or directly at the Whatcom County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.