Frequently Asked Questions
By Customers of Skagit County

1. Habla usted Espanol?
2. Where do I go to find out who owns a piece of real property in Skagit County?
3. Who do I see for property tax information?
4. Where do I go to apply to get an attorney assigned to my case?
5. Where are property liens filed?
6. I'd like a copy of my marriage license, where do I go?
7. Can I register to vote here?
8. I want to look at my juvenile record, where do I go?
9. Where do I go to change my name?
10. Does the County provide information on how to prepare for disasters like floods and earthquakes?
11. Where can I obtain a certified copy of a Washington State Birth Certificate?
12. I would like my well water tested. Who can help me?
13. Who do I see to get a food handler's permit?F
14. Does the County have a place for people to get information on Washington State laws and Federal laws, as well as local laws?
15. My neighbor's building a large shop right on the property line and it's blocking my view, whom can I call?
16. I need a building permit, who do I talk to?
17. We're concerned about the water quality in the stream that abuts our property. Who can we talk to?
18. I want to get information on the Meals on Wheels program, where do I go?
19. I'd like a concealed weapons permit, where do I go?
20. Where can I get a Washington State photo ID?
21. Which department oversees volunteer programs such as 4-H/Youth Development, Master Food Preservers, Water Quality Advisers, and Master Gardeners?
22. Where do we get passports?
23. How do we find out if a business is licensed or not?
24. My children and I have nowhere to stay tonight. Where do we go for help?
25. Where can I find information on public transit in this area?
26. Where do I go to find a notary?
27. Where is the Social Security Office?
28. Is the Employment Security Office located here?
29. Where is DSHS?
30. Where can I get information about County-sponsored camping and recreational activities?
31. Does the County offer any services to help youth whose futures are at-risk because of problems that they are having at home or at school?
32. How do I pay for a traffic ticket or dispute it? What if I can't make a traffic court date?

ALSO:Call ahead if you are unsure about the office hours of an office you will be visiting.

1. Habla usted Espanol? (Assistance for Spanish-speaking customers with a question.)

·         Note that these departments have employees whom can answer only simple questions in Spanish, such as directions to a County office:

• Public Health, Ext. 5380
• Auditor, Accounting Division Ext. 5719
• District Court, Ext. 5319
• Youth & Family Services, Ext. 5360
• Office of Assigned Counsel, Ext. 5418
• Public Defender, Ext. 5405
• Public Works, Ext. 5400

2. Where do I go to find out who owns a piece of real property in Skagit County?

• Use the online search tool or Contact the County Assessor's Office located in room #204 at the north end of the 2^nd floor of the Public Administration Building. Phone 336-9370.

3. Who do I see for property tax information?

• The Treasurer's office has online tax statements. They are located the 2^nd floor of the Public Administration Building.  Phone 336-9350.
  
  

4. Where do I go to apply to get an attorney assigned to my case?

• Go to the Office of Assigned Counsel, located at the west end of the third floor in the County Courthouse. Phone 336-9418.
  
  

5. Where are property liens filed?

• County Auditor's Office in room #201 at the south end of the 2^nd floor in the Public Administration Building. Phone the Records Division at 336-9311.
  
  

6. I'd like a copy of my marriage license, where do I go?

• County Auditor's Office in room #201 at the south end of the 2^nd floor in the Public Administration Building. Phone the Records Division at 336-9311. You can also search for marriage licenses online.
  
  

7. Can I register to vote here?

• Yes, if you live in Skagit County you can register to vote at the County Auditor's Office in room #201 at the south end of the 2^nd floor in the Public Administration Building. Phone the Elections Division at 336-9305.
  
  

8. I want to look at my juvenile record, where do I go?

• Go to the County Clerk's Office located on the 1st floor of the County Courthouse. Phone 336-9440.
  
  

9. Where do I go to change my name?

• Contact District Court located in the Larry E. Moller Public Safety Building, just across from the Skagit County Public Administration Building. Phone 336-9319.
  
  

10. Does the County provide information on how to prepare for disasters like floods and earthquakes?

• Yes. Contact the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management located in Mount Vernon at the Emergency Communications Center just east of Skagit Valley College at 2911 E. College Way, Suite B. Phone 428-3250.
  
  

11. Where can I obtain a certified copy of a Washington State Birth Certificate?

• Contact the Skagit County Health Department located at the south end of the 3^rd floor of the County's Public Administration Building. Phone 336-9380. Birth certificate information is online here.
  
  

12. I would like my well water tested. Who can help me?

• Contact the Skagit County Health Department located at the south end of the 3^rd floor of the County's Public Administration Building. Phone 336-9380.
  
  

13. Who do I see to get a food handler's permit?

• Contact the Skagit County Health Department located at the south end of the 3^rd floor of the County's Public Administration Building in Mount Vernon. Phone 336-9380. Food permit information is online here.
  
  

14. Does the County have a place for people to get information on Washington State laws and Federal laws, as well as local laws?

• Yes, the Law Library located northeast of the elevator on the first floor of the County Courthouse. Phone 336-9324.
  
  

15. My neighbor's building a large shop right on the property line and it's blocking my view, whom can I call?

• Call the Skagit County Planning and Development Services at 336-9410, or go by their office located at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon.
  
  

16. I need a building permit, who do I talk to?

• Within City limits, the appropriate City Hall's Building Department.
• Outside City limits the Skagit County Planning and Development Services at 336-9410, or go by their office located at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon.
  
  

17. We're concerned about the water quality in the stream that abuts our property. Who can we talk to?

• Within City limits, the appropriate City Public Works Department.
• Outside the City limits, contact the Surface Water Management Division of the Skagit County Public Works Department located at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon.
  Phone: 360-336-9400
  
  

18. I want to get information on the Meals on Wheels program, where do I go?

• Contact Skagit County Senior Services . Meals on Wheels is located at Senior Services Administration, 160 Cascade Place, Suite 110, Burlington, WA 98233. Telephone (360)-757-2545 Hours 8 to 4 Monday –Friday
  
  

19. I'd like a concealed weapons permit, where do I go?

• Within City limits, the appropriate City Police.
• Outside City limits go to the Skagit County Sheriff's Office located in the Larry E. Moller Public Safety Building. Phone 336-9450.
  
  

20. Where can I get a Washington State photo ID?

• The same place where drivers’ licenses are renewed, the Washington State Department of Licensing located in Mount Vernon at 1920 S. 3^rd.  Call for office hours at 416-7563.
  
  

21. Which department oversees volunteer programs such as 4-H, Master Gardeners, Beach Watchers, Ideas for Living, Livestock Advisors, and Germ City?

• WSU Cooperative Extension located at 11768 Westar Lane, Suite A, Burlington, WA, 98233. Phone 428-4270.

22. Where do we get passports?

• Passports can be proccessed by the Clerk's office:

  Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  At the Skagit County Courthouse
  205 W Kincaid, Room 103
  Mount Vernon, WA 98273
  

  
  
  

23. How do we find out if a business is licensed or not?

• Within City limits, the appropriate City Hall.
• Outside City limits only a State business license is required.  Phone 416-3000.
  
  

24. My children and I have nowhere to stay tonight. Where do we go for help?

• Go to the Skagit County Community Action Agency, located in the Family Resource Center in Mount Vernon near the Riverside Bridge at 330 Pacific Place. Phone 416-7585.
  
  

25. Where can I find information on public transit in this area?

• Call Skagit Transit (SKAT), 757-4433.  Besides fixed route busses, they offer dial-a-ride van service for those unable to ride regular busses.  Call for application information for this service.
• Many stores have available free copies of the "Transit Rider's Guide", which shows routes & schedules.
  
  

26. Where do I go to find a notary?

• Most banks and real estate agencies have a notary public.
  
  

27. Where is the Social Security Office?

• It is located in Mount Vernon behind Albertson's at 301 Valley Mall Way, Suite 100. Phone 424-5527.
  
  

28. Is the Employment Security Office located here?

• No, it is located in Mount Vernon behind Albertson's at 301 Valley Mall Way. Phone 416-3500.
  
  

29. Where is DSHS?

• The State Department of Social and Health Services is located in Mount Vernon at 900 E. College Way. Phone 416-7444.

30. Where can I get information about County-sponsored camping and recreational activities?

• Go to the Skagit County Parks & Recreation Office located at 315 S. Third in Mount Vernon, or call them at 336-9414.

31. Does the County offer any services to help youth whose futures are at-risk because of problems that they are having at home or at school?

• Yes, the ARIS (At-Risk Intervention Services) Program, a Division of Skagit County Youth and Family Services, provides intensive case management services to children and their families.  It is accessed via referral by schools in Skagit County.  Speak to your child’s school counselor for more information.

32. How do I pay for a traffic ticket or dispute it? What if I can't make a traffic court date?

• Distrcit Court handles traffic Infractions