Whatcom County Booking Releases Database
Whatcom County booking releases are tracked by the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office at the Whatcom County Jail in Bellingham. The Sheriff runs three online inmate databases: a current jail roster, jail bookings by date, and jail releases by date. All three are free and go back to 1996. To find Whatcom County booking releases, the Releases by Date database is the go-to. You can pick a date and see everyone released that day, with the reason and booking link.
Whatcom County Jail Roster
The Whatcom County Jail Roster is a publicly accessible list of people currently held by the county. You can click an inmate's name to view more details about the booking and charges. The roster is updated regularly and works on desktop or mobile. Tapping an entry expands extra details.
The roster includes columns for the inmate's name, booking date, facility, floor, cell, and a name identifier. Access is free. No registration or login is needed. This is the fastest way to confirm if someone is currently in custody in Whatcom County.
For the source data, see https://www.whatcomcounty.us/250/Jail-Roster-Search, which the Sheriff updates as needed.
The page above is the official source the Whatcom County office uses to share this information with the public.
Whatcom County Inmate Databases
Whatcom County maintains several online inmate databases, including current jail bookings, jail bookings by date, jail releases, and a searchable jail roster. The Inmate Databases page is the central hub for all of the Sheriff's Office jail data portals.
The Whatcom County Jail is at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225. Phone 360-778-6500. Jail lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. After hours, visitors may use the intercom button to speak with the control room. The Interim Work Center is at 2030 Division Street, Bellingham, WA 98226. Phone 360-778-6450.
For the source data, see https://www.whatcomcounty.us/258/Inmate-Databases, which the Sheriff updates as needed.
The page above is the official source the Whatcom County office uses to share this information with the public.
Jail Bookings by Date
The Jail Bookings database provides booking data online from 1996 to the present. You can pick a specific date to view bookings from that day. Click any entry to see more about the arrest and charges. The database displays the inmate's name, booking date, release date if applicable, booking agency, and a name identifier.
Historical booking data is kept back to 1996, making it a strong resource for long-term record lookups. The portal loads results interactively and is maintained by the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. The official Jail Bookings by Date page on the county site is an entry point to the same database.
Note: Few counties in Washington offer this much historical depth on bookings. Use it for older lookups too.
For the source data, see https://apps1.whatcomcounty.us/jaildata/bookings.html, which the Sheriff updates as needed.
The page above is the official source the Whatcom County office uses to share this information with the public.
Whatcom County Jail Releases
The Whatcom County Jail Releases database provides release data online from 1996 until the current date. You can select a date from a calendar interface to view all individuals released on that day. Clicking a release entry shows more, including the release reason and booking info.
The releases page displays the inmate's name, booking date, release date, release reason, and a name identifier. Like the bookings database, the releases database is maintained by the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office and covers records back to 1996. This makes it the most direct way to find Whatcom County booking releases for a given day.
For the source data, see http://apps1.whatcomcounty.us/jaildata/releases.html, which the Sheriff updates as needed.
The page above is the official source the Whatcom County office uses to share this information with the public.
Whatcom Jail Records Requests
The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office makes the following inmate info available for public release: name, booking date(s), description of charge(s), offense date(s), bail bond info, and arresting agency. Under the City and County Jail Act, RCW 70.48.100, all other inmate records are confidential and may only be provided to the inmate, to a third party with the inmate's written permission, or by a court order.
Non-medical inmate records may be requested by mail, in person, online, by email at Jail_Records@co.Whatcom.wa.us, or by fax at 360-778-6451. Medical records require a signed Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Health Care Information form. No medical info is released without that form or a court order. Mail or fax forms to Whatcom County Jail Attn: Medical Records Requests, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225, fax 360-738-2466.
For the source data, see https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4165/Request-Jail-Records, which the Sheriff updates as needed.
The page above is the official source the Whatcom County office uses to share this information with the public.
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office
The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office employs over two hundred people and is led by Sheriff Donnell "Tank" Tanksley. The office is organized into three bureaus: Law Enforcement and Investigations, Corrections (including the main jail and the Interim Work Center), and Civil and Support Services. The Division of Emergency Management is also housed within the Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office warns the public of a scam in which callers impersonate Sheriff's Office employees, using real names and badge numbers to demand money. Law enforcement will never contact members of the public to suggest payment of funds to avoid being arrested.
For the source data, see https://www.whatcomcounty.us/200/Sheriff, which the Sheriff updates as needed.
The page above is the official source the Whatcom County office uses to share this information with the public.
Whatcom Corrections Bureau
The Whatcom County Corrections Bureau operates the Whatcom County Jail, a maximum-security facility housing approximately 245 prisoners daily, and the Interim Work Center, which averages 130 minimum or low-medium custody inmates. An average of thirty inmates per day serve time on Electronic Home Detention.
Correction Deputies handle booking, population control, meals, medical care, prisoner transports, court security, and appearances. The bureau participates in a statewide transport chain, making daily trips to Skagit and Snohomish County jails. Alternative sentencing programs include home detention, work crew, and work release.
Commissary inquiries go to JAILATM.COM or 1-870-627-5476. Credit for inmate tablet movies or music is added through GETTINGOUT.COM at 1-866-516-0115. Pre-paid phone services run through ICSOLUTIONS.COM at 1-888-506-8407. Bail bond companies must call the jail at 360-778-6500 before posting a bond.
For the source data, see https://www.whatcomcounty.us/202/Corrections, which the Sheriff updates as needed.
The page above is the official source the Whatcom County office uses to share this information with the public.
Statewide Tools
For state prison data, the Washington DOC Incarcerated Search is the main tool. For release alerts, sign up at VINELink. Court records statewide are on the Washington Courts portal. The Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, governs non-jail records.
For the source data, see https://www.whatcomcounty.us/253/Jail-Bookings-by-Date, which the Sheriff updates as needed.
The page above is the official source the Whatcom County office uses to share this information with the public.
Whatcom County Booking Releases FAQ
How often is the Whatcom County jail roster updated? It depends on the facility. Live rosters refresh every few minutes. PDF rosters refresh once a day. Call the jail if you need the freshest status.
Are booking photos public in Whatcom County? Under RCW 70.48.100, most jail records beyond the public roster are confidential. Mugshots are usually exempt unless they aid an active investigation or involve a registered sex offender being released into the community. To get one, you usually need an inmate release form or a court order.
Can anyone view Whatcom County booking releases online for free? Yes. The public roster fields are open under state law. Name, booking date, charges, court jurisdiction, and release date are free to view. There is no fee to check the roster or to sign up for VINELink release alerts.
What if the person I am looking for is not on the roster? Try a few things. Call the jail during business hours. Check VINELink for recent custody changes. Check the DOC Incarcerated Search if they may have been moved to state custody. Review the Washington Courts portal for a case number.
How do I get older Whatcom County booking releases info? Submit a public records request under RCW 42.56. Most county agencies use an online portal. Be specific with names, dates, and the exact records you want. Staff typically respond within five business days.
Note: If you are a victim of a crime, you can register for free release notifications through Washington VINE at 1-877-846-3492 or at vinelink.com. This is usually the fastest way to learn about Whatcom County booking releases tied to a specific case.
Does Whatcom County post a historical archive of booking releases? Some counties keep an archive going back many years. Others only show the current roster. If the data you need is not on the roster, a public records request is usually the next step. Be clear about the time frame and the names or case numbers involved. Staff can often pull older jail logs from the back office.
What about federal charges tied to Whatcom County booking releases? Federal inmates are tracked through the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc. If someone was arrested in Whatcom County but taken into federal custody, they may not show up on the local jail roster. Cross-checking with federal tools can close the gap.
Nearby Counties
If you are not sure which county handles a case, check the address. Here are nearby counties to Whatcom County.