Montana public records
Montana's judiciary provides several court-access portals rather than one promise of universal coverage. Property.mt.gov offers assessments, while county recorders hold deeds. Public-information request procedures distinguish local governments from other agencies, so choose the custodian before calculating a response period.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsMontana Judicial Branch | Choose the available public case-search portal or the court locator. | Portal services and clerk copies have separate charges. Court participation and searchable record types differ; not every Montana case is in one online portal. |
| Property and land recordsMontana Department of Revenue Property.mt.gov | Search property assessment data by address, owner or geocode. | Assessment lookup and recorded-document orders are separate. County clerk and recorder offices hold deeds; appraisal data is not a title certification. |
| Business recordsMontana Secretary of State | Search filed entities in the Secretary of State's business portal. | Search and ordered certificates have different fee rules. Entity registration and professional licensing must be checked separately. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceMontana DPHHS Vital Records | Choose birth/death records or marriage/divorce information. | Certificate and record-search charges apply. Certified copies require eligibility; complete marriage/divorce documents can require the local clerk of court. |
| Criminal-history checksMontana Department of Justice | Select name-based public checking or the relevant fingerprint procedure. | The service publishes check-specific fees. Montana public criminal-history information and national fingerprint checks have different access requirements. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Montana
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- A person can request public information from a Montana public agency. Confidentiality and individual privacy can limit disclosure.
- How to submit
- Identify the Montana agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- Non-local-government agencies generally acknowledge requests within five business days. A single clearly identified, readily available record has a further five-working-day rule with exceptions; local governments follow a separate timely-access standard.
- Fees and estimates
- An agency may charge authorized actual costs and may require payment before releasing copies. Ask for an estimate and any published fee schedule.
- If access is denied
- Ask for a written explanation of withheld information and public portions. A person denied public information may seek district court relief.
Montana records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Montana public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Public Records Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 2-6-1001 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the county's final land-use decision and approved permit for [parcel or application number]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Montana public records FAQ
Where can I find Montana court records?
Choose the available public case-search portal or the court locator. Court participation and searchable record types differ; not every Montana case is in one online portal.
Sources: Montana Judicial BranchAre Montana public records free?
An agency may charge authorized actual costs and may require payment before releasing copies. Ask for an estimate and any published fee schedule. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Montana official public-records guidance; Montana Judicial Branch; Montana DPHHS Vital RecordsHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Montana?
Choose birth/death records or marriage/divorce information. Certified copies require eligibility; complete marriage/divorce documents can require the local clerk of court.
Sources: Montana DPHHS Vital Records; Montana Judicial BranchIs a Montana court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Montana public criminal-history information and national fingerprint checks have different access requirements. Select name-based public checking or the relevant fingerprint procedure.
Sources: Montana Department of Justice; Montana Judicial BranchSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Montana official public-records guidance — checked
- Montana Judicial Branch — checked
- Montana Department of Revenue Property.mt.gov — checked
- Montana Secretary of State — checked
- Montana DPHHS Vital Records — checked
- Montana Department of Justice — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions