Evictions
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is not involved in the beginning stages of the eviction process. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office can only become involved with the eviction process after the court procedure is completed and a Whatcom County Superior Court Judge has issued a Writ of Restitution. This is the point in which the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office can serve and enforce the court order if the tenants do not comply.
Please note that the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office cannot give legal advice and does not generate paperwork.
The public can obtain information regarding the eviction process and/or assistance in preparing the necessary paperwork to begin the eviction process from the following resources:
Please note that the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office must serve the Writ of Restitution, but does not serve any other type of eviction paperwork
Eviction paperwork needing to be served can be served by process servers, such as the following:
Intake Requirements
When delivering a Writ of Restitution please bring the following with you:
Necessary Paperwork
Please note that the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office cannot give legal advice and does not generate paperwork.
The public can obtain information regarding the eviction process and/or assistance in preparing the necessary paperwork to begin the eviction process from the following resources:
- A private attorney.
- Landlord-Tenant information from the Washington State Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
- The Whatcom Opportunity Council, 1111 Cornwall Avenue, Suite C, Bellingham, Washington (360-734-5121, ext. 370 between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday). This office will provide information only. They do not have eviction forms and they do not generate paperwork.
- The Attorney General’s Consumer Line Information Service: 800-692-5082
- Preliminary eviction forms and Unlawful Detainer Packets can be purchased at COPY SOURCE, located at 1122 N. State Street, Bellingham, WA. Phone # 360.738.1280
Service of Preliminary Paperwork
Please note that the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office must serve the Writ of Restitution, but does not serve any other type of eviction paperwork
Eviction paperwork needing to be served can be served by process servers, such as the following:
- 4th Corner Network
110 Prospect Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: 360-671-2455 - Security Specialists Plus
6044 Portal Way #104
Ferndale, WA 98248
Phone : 360-656-5103
Intake Requirements
When delivering a Writ of Restitution please bring the following with you:
- Completed Mandatory Eviction Intake Form
- One Original Writ of Restitution and Three Certified Copies
- Four Copies of the Request for Storage of Personal Property Form (*not required for commercial properties
Required Fees
The Sheriff's Office requires a deposit of $150.00 for all Writs of Restitution. The Office accepts Cash, Check and Credit Cards (fees associated).
All Landlords Please Read the Following:
Due to the increasing number of mental health problems in Whatcom County, if you believe your tenant has mental illness please contact the following number for mental health help before you contact our office with the initial Writ of Restitution. That way they are made aware of the situation and resources are available when we need them. Thank you.
Volunteers of America
Mental Health Dispatch Center
24 hour Dispatch available
1-800-584-3578