Police Support Services

The Ferndale Police Department Business Office is open for services Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

We ask that you continue to contact us by phone and email as much as possible. There is a rack of commonly requested forms in the front foyer, as well as a drop box for court payments. The foyer is open throughout the week during regular business hours.

Fingerprinting is available by appointment only Tuesday to Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you need an officer for any reason, dial 911, or you can use the direct line to Dispatch in our front foyer. Bear in mind, this phone is only available Monday through Friday, between 8:30am and 4:30 pm. This is a public phone and, although we try to sanitize it regularly, you may be safer using your own phone.

Office staff are on duty Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can assist with general business inquiries. To contact the Ferndale Police Department Business Office, call 360-384-3390 or email contact@ferndalepd.org. If you need to speak with an officer, emergency or non-emergency, please dial 9-1-1. 

Some of the services we offer to the public are:

• Clearance Letters
• Concealed Pistol and Firearm Dealers' Licenses
• Fingerprinting (by appointment)
• Lost and Found Property
• Records / Public Disclosure Requests
• Salvation Army Emergency Voucher Program - call 360-384-3390 to arrange assistance.

Request for Disclosure of Public Records

To make a request for Police reports and records, visit our records request portal.

Response to Requests

Per RCW 42.56.520, we must respond within five business days of receiving a request by:

• Providing the record
• Providing a reasonable estimate as to when it will be available
• Contacting the requester for clarification
• Denying the request, citing the reasons for denial

Any records or portions of records that are exempt from disclosure will be withheld or redacted (blacked out). We will specify and briefly explain the exemption that applies to any redactions or denials. Some common exemptions are RCW 42.56. RCW 10.97, RCW 13.50, and RCW 46.52.

Sometimes, records are exempt from disclosure, pursuant to the state’s Public Records Act (state Model Rules explain this in more detail). 

Fees for Public Records  

• Print Copies Black & White (8.5 inches by 11 inches) - $0.15 per page
• Color Copies (8.5 inches by 11 inches) - $1 per page
• Flash Drive - $5
• Certified Copies - $1 per Page
• Records Scanned Into Electronic Format - 10 cents per page
• Attachments Uploaded to an Email - 5 cents for every four electronic files or attachments
• Transmitting Records Electronically (FTP) - 10 cents per gigabyte
• Alternative Flat Fee (if the City reasonably estimates and documents that the costs are clearly equal to or more than two dollars) - $2

Customized service charge if outside professional assistance (such as IT) is required - actual costs of the provider. You will be given an estimate to approve before these charges are authorized.

Payments are accepted by cash, check, or money order (made out to City of Ferndale), or you can pay online.

To make a request for disclosure of non-police City records, contact the City Clerk, Susan Duncan, at City Hall, 2095 Main Street, Ferndale, or email Susan Duncan.

Records Index

There is no single index of any City records. The City of Ferndale has determined that maintaining a central index of City records is unduly burdensome and would be nearly impossible to maintain. (Ferndale Municipal Code 2.21.040 and 2.21.050.)

Clearance Letters & Criminal History

Often, when people are traveling or working overseas, the foreign country will ask them to present a Letter of Good Reputation (or something similar) showing that they have not had any troubles with the police in their hometown. We offer Clearance Letters for Ferndale residents for a $27 fee, but do stress that only our City of Ferndale files are checked. If you require a full criminal history check, contact the Washington State Patrol.

EFFECTIVE 6/12/2025 Salvation Army Emergency Assistance Program - TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED 

Thanks to the Salvation Army Emergency Assistance Program, we are able to provide short-term financial assistance to Ferndale residents and travelers who have experienced an emergency and are in need of help. Types of assistance include food and gas. Please call 360-384-3390 for further information.