A method is presented for obtaining spatially varying earthquake ground motion (SVEGM) at the bedrock level that is consistent with the desired SVEGM at the surface and vice versa based on a complete characterization of the soil deposit above bedrock using a finite element model. The SVEGM that is obtained through the proposed technique is compared with that obtained using a simple one-dimensional "soil column" model that represents conditions at two different stations situated on sites with different local soil profiles. The "soil column" model greatly simplifies the response of the entire soil site. The results show that the consistent coherency function determined at the free surface fluctuates around the coherency function prescribed at the bedrock. The results also stress the importance of including the dynamic response of the entire soil site. The numerical model is verified using a closed-form 1-D transfer function.