How To Find Court Records in Montana

Montana court records are more than formal filings, they are living chronicles of the state's legal and social history. From landmark water rights decisions in the Montana Water Court to civil disputes in Yellowstone, Missoula, or Flathead District Courts, these records reveal stories of communities, property, and justice.

Traditionally, accessing them required tedious trips to courthouses or navigating fragmented state systems, often causing delays and incomplete information. CourtCaseFinder simplifies this process, offering an intuitive platform to search Montana public court records.

You can access detailed case histories, filings, judgments, and court actions, covering District, Municipal, and Justice courts. By using CourtCaseFinder, you gain an invaluable Montana-specific legal resource right at your fingertips.

How To Access Montana Public Court Records

Using CourtCaseFinder to search Montana public court records can save significant time, money, and effort. Yet, if you want to understand how these records are typically accessed through the Montana court system, here is an overview of the official resources and methods available:

Montana Trial Court Public Access Portals

To view court records from Montana District Courts and Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, you can use the Full Court Enterprise (FCE) portals available on the Montana Judiciary Branch Public Access Portal page. This statewide case management systems allow remote access to essential case information, including:

• Indexes of parties involved in cases
• Lists of newly filed cases with party names
• Registers of actions showing all documents filed in a case
• Court calendars and dockets with case numbers, titles, hearing dates, times, and locations

By Mail, Email, or Fax

You can request Montana court records in hard copy or electronic format by sending a written letter through mail, email, or fax to the Office of the Clerk of Court. To make things easier, you can use the Montana Judicial Branch Court Locator to find addresses and phone numbers of the Clerks of District and Limited Jurisdiction Courts.

When requesting, you may ask for specific documents such as complaints, tickets, court orders, judgments, or motions and briefs filed by either side.

Be aware that fees apply for searching, copying, and delivering records, as provided under Montana Code Annotated (MCA) Section 25-1-201. You will pay $1 per page for the first 10 pages of hard copies and $0.25 per page for electronic copies sent by email or fax.

In-Person Request

If you know the court where a case was heard and the records are filed, you can also visit the courthouse during business hours to request them. Most Montana courthouses provide public computers that let you search records free of charge, though fees apply if you need copies.

A government-issued photo ID may be required to verify eligibility, and access to confidential records is only granted with a court order.

Montana Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

The Montana Public Records Act establishes that court records are generally considered public records in the state. Thus, citizens may obtain and inspect them through court record searches, unless the record is specifically sealed or restricted by statute or court order.

Montana law makes routine case materials accessible so the public can monitor judicial activity. Examples include:

• Indexes, calendars, and dockets that show case schedules
• Registers of actions and official documentation of hearings
• Orders, decrees, judgments, and minutes that record outcomes
• Case management system information prepared by courts or clerks

Guided by the Rules for Public Access and Privacy to Court Records in Montana, specific types of court records are withheld or restricted to safeguard confidentiality or vulnerable individuals, such as:

• Adoption proceedings
• Abuse or neglect of elderly or disabled persons
• Guardianship or conservatorship matters
• Crime victim's address, phone number, or workplace
• Criminal conversations, dissolution of marriage proceedings, and seduction cases

Who Oversees the Courts in Montana

In Montana, oversight of the judicial system rests with the Supreme Court, which functions as both the state's highest appellate tribunal and the body responsible for supervising the administration of justice.

The Legislature established the Court Administrator's Office (CAO) in 1977 to help the Supreme Court with its administrative functions.

This office operates under the authority of the Supreme Court and provides the structure needed to coordinate court operations across the state. It is organized into three divisions: Court Services, Budget and Finance, and Information Technology.

The Court Administrator's responsibilities are:

• Preparing and presenting budget requests, including funding for District Courts
• Compiling and reporting statistical information on court business for legislative use
• Delivering regular updates on judicial technology and coordinating with statewide IT standards
• Recommending improvements to the judiciary
• Administering assistance for indigent victims of domestic violence (MCA Section 3-2-714)
• Managing court funding and personnel plans

What Types of Courts Exist in Montana?

The Montana judicial system is composed of the Supreme Court, state District Courts, and Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.

In addition, specialty courts exist to handle specific types of cases, providing focused expertise for matters such as water rights, substance abuse, workers' compensation, and cases involving juveniles.

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Montana Supreme Court	The highest appellate court that reviews District Court decisions. Limited original jurisdiction in emergencies or constitutional matters; no fact-finding, witnesses, or juries. Seven Justices (one Chief, six Associates)	Appeals on legal/procedural issues only; decided mostly on briefs, and some are through oral arguments
District Courts	Courts of general jurisdiction. 56 courts in 22 districts, with 46 judges. Limited appellate review of Limited Jurisdiction Courts	Felonies, major civil and probate cases, writs, ballot issues, naturalization, money claims against the state, appeals from lower courts
Courts of Limited Jurisdiction	61 Justice Courts, 84 City Courts, and 6 Municipal Courts. Judges serve 4-year terms; Municipal Judges must be attorneys	Misdemeanors, civil ≤ $15,000, small claims ≤ $7,000, landlord-tenant, local ordinances, protection orders, forcible entry, and some juvenile cases
Montana Water Court	Exclusive statewide jurisdiction over 240,000+ state, tribal, and federal water rights claims. One Chief Judge, one Associate, four Division Judges, plus Water Masters	Adjudication and settlement of all water rights claims
Montana Workers' Compensation Court (WCC)	Statewide specialized jurisdiction. One Judge (6-year term) appointed by the Governor; same qualifications as District Judges	Disputes under the Workers' Compensation Act and Occupational Disease Act
Drug Treatment Courts	Specialized dockets within District or Limited Jurisdiction Courts. Focus on treatment and rehabilitation. 31 Drug Courts, including Five Tribal Courts	Drug/DUI cases, juvenile, veteran, or child abuse/neglect linked to substance use
Youth Courts	Operate within the 22 judicial districts; overseen by Youth Court/District Court Judges.	Juvenile delinquency.~20% handled formally in court; most resolved informally through probation

What Federal Courts Are In Montana?

Federal courts hear cases involving federal laws, the federal government, disputes between states, or parties from different states or countries when a monetary threshold is met. State courts, by contrast, address the majority of legal matters within the state, including both high- and low-value claims, local disputes, and day-to-day civil and criminal issues.

Federal courts focus on nationally significant or high-stakes cases, while state courts emphasize accessibility, responsiveness, and expertise tailored to local needs.

The following is an overview of the federal courts in Montana:

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana	Hears federal criminal and civil cases, including identity theft, money laundering, civil rights violations, antitrust disputes, contract and tort claims, and social security cases.	Billings: James Battin U.S. Courthouse Suite 200, 2601 North Second Avenue Billings, MT 59101 Phone: 406-247-7000 Great Falls: Missouri River U.S. Courthouse Suite 110, 125 West Central Avenue Great Falls, MT 59404 Phone: 406-727-1922 Butte: Mike Mansfield U.S. Courthouse Suite 273, 400 North Main Street Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 406-497-1279 Helena: Paul G. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse 901 Front Street Helena, MT 59626 Phone: 406-441-1355 Missoula: Russell Smith U.S. Courthouse Suite 310, 201 East Broadway Missoula, MT 59802 Phone: 406-542-7260
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana	Handles bankruptcy cases to help individuals, businesses, and farmers resolve debts. Cases are filed under Title 11 of the U.S. Code, including Chapter 7 (liquidation), Chapter 13 (individual repayment plans), Chapter 11 (business reorganization), and Chapter 12 (family farmers).	Same courthouse locations as the U.S. District Court in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, and Missoula Phone: 406-497-1240

Decisions from Montana's U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts can be reviewed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which oversees federal civil, criminal, and bankruptcy cases across nine Western states.

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in Montana Courts?

Recent case filing data shows that Montana's District Courts and Courts of Limited Jurisdiction collectively process an estimated 302,000 cases each year. Civil matters dominate filings in the state's 22 Judicial Districts, while local courts handle particularly high volumes of criminal traffic offenses.

Court Level	Case Category	Approx. Annual Case Filings
District Courts	Civil	~19,000
	Criminal	~13,000
	Investigative Subpoena/Search Warrant	~5,300
	Adoption	~600
	Child Abuse and Neglect	~1,200
	Domestic Relations	~9,400
	Commitment of a Person with a Developmental Disability	~20
	Commitment of a Person with Mental Illness	~900
	Guardian/Conservator	~1,200
	Paternity	~30
	Juvenile	~1,000
	Probate	~3,700
	Drug and Other Treatment Courts	~500
Courts of Limited Jurisdiction	Civil	~22,000
	Small Claims	~600
	Order of Protection	~4,000
	Criminal	~46,000
	Search Warrant	~900
	Local Ordinances	~14,000
	Traffic	~159,000

For detailed case filing summaries, caseload processing rates, and workload evaluations, visit the Montana Judiciary Court Statistics page. You can also access statistics for Water, Treatment, Youth, and Workers' Compensation Courts.

How Do I File a Case in Montana Courts?

Kickstart your Montana case by knowing these essential procedures and requirements that keep you on the right track from the very beginning:

1. Choose the Right Court

Filing a lawsuit in the appropriate court makes sure your case proceeds efficiently under Montana law. If you seek more than $15,000 in damages, your case typically goes to District Court, which handles civil, criminal, and family matters.

Meanwhile, smaller claims, along with traffic violations, misdemeanors, and local ordinance disputes, are handled in Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.

2. Prepare the Legal Papers

If filing a civil action in a Justice or City Court where the claim does not exceed $15,000, you must prepare a Complaint, a brief statement of the facts, including the amount sought or property requested, and the transaction date. A Summons must also be prepared to notify the defendant to appear and respond by a set deadline.

Formsare available on the Montana Judicial Branch website, which can be completed online and printed, or printed and filled out by hand.

3. Submit Documents and Settle the Filing Costs

File your documents with the Clerk of Court either by email, mail, or hand delivery. When filing by email, send each document as a separate PDF with a clear title or label. Montana courts also provide an E-Filing system, which registered attorneys with the State Bar of Montanamust use for certain case types.

Filing fees depend on the court and case. Initiating a civil lawsuit in the District Court costs $120 under the Clerks of District Courts Civil Fee Schedule, while Justice Court filings cost $30.

4. Serve Court Papers on the Defendant

The defendant must be officially served with the lawsuit papers by the Sheriff, Constable, a qualified process server, or by first-class mail.

After service, you will receive the Summons with confirmation of delivery and, when applicable, a record of the fees. You must return this summons to the court so the case can proceed and your costs can be included in the judgment.

How Is the Montana Court System Unique?

Montana's Water Court is the only specialized court in the U.S. dedicated to historic water rights, shaped by the state's settlement and irrigation history.

Before formal regulation, Montana used a priority-based system like other Western states, where early settlers, often far from courthouses, claimed water by recording the first date of beneficial use.

Sparse surveying and imprecise land descriptions before 1865 created inconsistencies, yet these records remain critical in modern disputes. By the late 1800s, Montana courts addressed over-appropriation as irrigation and agricultural demands strained available water supplies.

Created under the 1973 Montana Water Use Act and operating from 1979, the Water Court reviews pre-1973 claims basin by basin and issues final decrees to establish priority.

Montana separates historic and post-1973 rights, with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) managing new claims, combining legal authority, historical research, and hydrology to safeguard water use.

Montana Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Beaverhead
• Big Horn
• Blaine
• Broadwater
• Carbon
• Cascade
• Chouteau
• Custer
• Daniels
• Dawson
• Deer Lodge
• Fergus
• Flathead
• Gallatin
• Glacier
• Golden Valley
• Granite
• Hill
• Jefferson
• Judith Basin
• Lake
• Lewis And Clark
• Lincoln
• Madison
• Mccone
• Meagher
• Mineral
• Missoula
• Musselshell
• Park
• Petroleum
• Phillips
• Pondera
• Powell
• Prairie
• Ravalli
• Richland
• Roosevelt
• Rosebud
• Sanders
• Sheridan
• Silver Bow
• Stillwater
• Sweet Grass
• Teton
• Toole
• Valley
• Wibaux
• Yellowstone

Where to Find Additional Information About Montana Courts?

• Trial Courts in Montana
• The Montana Court System
• Federal Courts in Montana
• Water Courts of Montana
• Supreme Court of Montana

FAQs