OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know
How to use this page: Pick the record type you need below. Each section names the agency that holds those records and links to the official source — no aggregators, no third-party services. For criminal history, Montana DOJ is the agency — not the Highway Patrol, which handles traffic enforcement only.

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Court case records through Montana Courts search
🔍 Arrest records from county sheriffs and municipal police
📋 Criminal history checks through Montana DOJ
🏛️ Vital records, property records, and open-records requests
Have this ready before you start:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • The county where the record was created

How Records Work in Montana

Montana's court and arrest records run across state, county, and arresting-agency levels. The state judiciary under the Montana Supreme Court maintains appellate records. Montana DOJ Criminal Records & Identification Services holds statewide criminal history (not the Highway Patrol). Most local records — deeds, marriage licenses, District Court filings — are held at the county level.

Montana has 56 counties organized into 22 judicial districts (some districts combine smaller counties). Each county has its own Clerk of the District Court, Clerk and Recorder, sheriff, and Justice of the Peace maintaining separate records. Because Montana has no unified trial-court case search, thorough records research typically means contacting specific county clerks. Large counties (Yellowstone, Missoula, Gallatin, Lewis & Clark) tend to have better online access; rural counties may require phone or in-person access.

Counties in Montana

Montana has 56 counties. Select one below to find local court, arrest, and court and arrest records.

What this page does not show: Not every record is online. Montana has no unified trial-court case search, so records generally live at the county clerk's office. Online coverage varies a lot — larger counties have better portals. When in doubt, call the agency directly.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 24, 2026