Flathead County Court Records Search
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Flathead County occupies the northwest corner of Montana, with its county seat in Kalispell. The county’s court system includes a District Court of general jurisdiction, a Justice Court, and municipal courts in Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. Court records generated in Flathead County — criminal filings, civil complaints, family law petitions, probate proceedings, motions, orders, judgments, and transcripts — are maintained by the respective clerk’s offices. The Clerk of District Court is the primary custodian for records arising from the 11th Judicial District Court, while the Justice Court and municipal courts manage their own dockets independently.
For anyone researching case information in Montana, several official channels are available. Court records can be searched through local clerk offices, public research terminals at the courthouse, and online portals operated by the state judiciary. MontanaCourts.us may help users locate court-specific resources and publicly available case information across the state’s district and limited-jurisdiction courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Flathead County?
Flathead County court records can be accessed online, in person, or by mail. The approach depends on the court that handled the case, the age of the records, and the type of document being sought.
Online Case Search
Montana’s judiciary operates two statewide portals as the courts transition to the FullCourt Enterprise case management system. The Montana District Court Public Access Portal provides free, searchable case indexes for district courts that have migrated to the new system. Users can search by party name, case number, or court. The portal displays case type, party names, register of actions, and hearing calendars — but it is not the official court record and does not include full document images. A separate Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal covers justice courts, city courts, and municipal courts. Access rules for both portals are set by the Montana Supreme Court’s Rules for Access to the Trial Court Public Record Portal.
For recorded documents — deeds, liens, and other instruments — the Flathead County Clerk and Recorder maintains two online databases. iDocMarket covers documents recorded after 1984, while the County Record Archives covers those recorded before 1984. Both require account registration and charge subscription-based access fees.
In-Person Requests
The Flathead County Clerk of Court office accepts walk-in requests during business hours. Requesters may also use the Public Research Library at the Clerk and Recorder’s office (open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; check in at the Plat Room front desk).
Flathead County Clerk of Court
Address: 920 South Main Street, Suite 300, Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-5870
Email: flatheadclerkofcourt@flathead.mt.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Flathead County Clerk and Recorder
Address: 800 South Main Street, Room 114, Kalispell, MT 59901-5420
Phone: (406) 758-5526
Fax: (406) 758-5865
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be sent to the Clerk of Court or the Clerk and Recorder at the addresses above. For recorded documents, include the document number or enough identifying detail (book and page, parties, approximate date). A Public Record Request Form is available for download.
Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-certified copy, first page | $0.50 |
| Non-certified copy, each additional page | $0.25 |
| Certified copy surcharge | $2.00 (plus standard per-page fees) |
| Certificate of Survey (full-size map) | $3.00 |
| Plat (full-size map) | $5.00 |
| Copy of decree of dissolution | $10.00 |
| Copy of marriage license | $5.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage license | $7.00 |
| Computer printout, per page | $2.50 |
| Faxed or emailed copy, first page | $0.25; additional pages $0.25 each |
Are Court Records Public in Flathead County?
Montana’s constitution and statutes establish a strong right of public access to government records. Article II, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution guarantees that no person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents of public bodies. The Montana Public Records Act (Title 2, Chapter 6, Part 10, MCA) implements this right, declaring that the purpose of the act is to ensure public access to information concerning the conduct of government.
Court records in Flathead County follow this presumption of openness. Filings, docket entries, orders, and judgments in civil and criminal cases are generally available for public inspection at the clerk’s office or through the online public portal. However, several categories of records are exempt from public access.
Records exempt from the public portal and typically from public inspection include:
- Child abuse and neglect cases
- Adoption proceedings
- Paternity cases
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Cases involving a minor as a party
- Cases sealed by court order
- Youth court records sealed under MCA § 41-5-216
- Criminal records that were deferred and later dismissed (restricted from public release by the Montana Department of Justice)
Montana Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 requires filers to redact sensitive data from court documents. Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, dates of birth (except year), names of minor children, and financial account numbers should not appear in unredacted form in publicly filed documents. Courts may order additional filings to be sealed.
When records exist in the public portal but access is restricted, a publicly accessible notation indicates their existence. For questions about restricted records, the local Clerk of Court should be contacted directly.
Flathead County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Flathead County are adjudicated across several courts depending on the severity of the offense. The District Court handles felonies and appeals from lower courts. The Justice Court processes misdemeanors, county ordinance violations, and conducts preliminary hearings. The Kalispell Municipal Court and Whitefish Municipal Court handle misdemeanors and ordinance violations within their respective city limits.
Court Locations
Flathead County District Court
Address: 920 South Main Street, Suite 300, Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-6242
Fax: (406) 758-5857
Flathead County Justice Court
Address: 935 1st Avenue West, Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-5643
Kalispell Municipal Court
Address: 312 1st Avenue East, Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7705
Clerk Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Whitefish Municipal Court
Address: 275 Flathead Avenue, P.O. Box 158, Whitefish, MT 59937
Phone: (406) 863-2440
Columbia Falls City Court
Address: 130 6th Street West, P.O. Box 2735, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Phone: (406) 892-4340
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal docket information for District Court cases can be searched through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal. Justice Court and municipal court records may be available through the limited-jurisdiction public portal. For full documents, contact the relevant clerk’s office or submit a written request.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The Montana Department of Justice operates the Criminal History Online Public Record Search (CHOPRS) system. Any member of the public can run a name-based search by submitting the subject’s full name and date of birth.
- Online search fee: $20.00 per search (credit card or eCheck)
- Mail-in name-based search: $15.00 per individual (check or money order)
- Fingerprint-based search (mail-in): $10.00 per individual
Public criminal history results include arrest and court information for felony and misdemeanor charges. Records that were deferred and later dismissed are not released to the public under Montana privacy law. Mail-in requests should be sent to:
Montana Criminal Records
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Email: dojcriss@mt.gov
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office can also assist with local criminal records inquiries. Walk-in services are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at:
Flathead County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 920 South Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-5585
The Sheriff’s Office also maintains a public warrant search page where active felony warrants can be viewed.
Justice Court Criminal Forms
The Flathead County Justice Court provides downloadable packets for criminal motions, petitions for driver’s license reinstatement (for failure-to-pay suspensions), and petitions for expungement or resentencing of marijuana convictions through its documents page.
Flathead County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Flathead County are heard by the District Court or the Justice Court, depending on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
District Court Civil Jurisdiction
The 11th Judicial District Court has general civil jurisdiction, including cases involving monetary damages from the State, probate, naturalization, and all civil matters exceeding the Justice Court’s jurisdictional limit. Civil filing fees in District Court are established by MCA § 25-1-201:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Commencement of civil action | $120.00 |
| Appearance (per defendant/respondent) | $70.00 |
| Dissolution of marriage petition | $200.00 |
| Legal separation petition | $180.00 |
| Amendment of parenting plan (contested) | $120.00 |
| Adoption petition | $105.00 |
| Conservatorship petition | $100.00 |
| Guardianship petition | $100.00 |
| Probate petition (formal/informal/ancillary) | $100.00 |
| Intervention complaint | $80.00 |
| Substitution of judge motion | $100.00 |
| Appeal from lower court | $30.00 |
| Appeal from lower court (small claims) | $10.00 |
| Foreign judgment filing | $90.00 |
| Entry of judgment | $50.00 |
| Transcript of judgment | $4.00 |
| Certification with seal | $2.00 |
| Authentication/exemplification | $6.00 |
| Execution issuance | $5.00 |
| Email/fax filing | $0.50 per page |
The full District Court fee schedule is maintained by the Montana courts.
Justice Court Civil Jurisdiction
The Flathead County Justice Court handles civil claims of $15,000 or less, landlord-tenant possession actions, and small claims (limited to $7,000 or less). Small claims defendants must be servable within Flathead County. Filing packets, answer forms, counterclaim forms, and procedural guides are available on the Justice Court’s documents page.
Civil answers in Justice Court must generally be filed within 20 days of service. Answers to complaints for possession are due within 10 business days. If a party in a small claims case requests a jury trial or attorney representation, the case may be removed to Justice Court proper.
Obtaining Civil Records
Civil case records from the District Court can be requested through the Clerk of Court by mail, in person, or by submitting a Public Record Request Form. Copy fees follow the standard schedule: $0.50 for the first page, $0.25 for each additional page, plus $2.00 for certification. Online docket searches are available through the statewide public access portals.
Flathead County Family Court Records
Flathead County does not operate a separate family court. All family law matters are heard by the District Court, including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and parenting plans, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence protection orders. The Justice Court may also issue temporary orders of protection in certain circumstances.
Dissolution and Parenting Plan Records
Divorce (dissolution of marriage) decrees issued by the District Court are maintained by the Clerk of Court. Copies of a decree cost $10.00 each (not including certification). Parenting plans and property settlement agreements filed separately from the decree are not included in the decree copy fee.
The Flathead County Clerk and Recorder also maintains copies of dissolution records for the county. A copy of a divorce decree from that office costs $8.00.
At the state level, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records, can provide verification of divorce events. Contact them at (406) 444-2685 or HHSVitalRecords@mt.gov.
Marriage Records
The Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses in Flathead County. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification. The fee is $53.00 (cash, check, money order, or credit card with a $2.31 surcharge). Licenses are valid for 180 days after issuance. After the ceremony and return of the signed license, certified copies can be purchased for $7.00 each; photocopies are $5.00.
Parties to the marriage may obtain both the license and the certificate. Non-parties may only receive the marriage certificate for unions within the past 30 years. Search fees are $2.00 per name per year for the first seven years, then $1.00 per name per additional year. There is also a $1.00 postage fee, which can be avoided by including a self-addressed stamped envelope. Requests may be mailed using a Marriage License Request Form.
Note that marriage and divorce records are held by the Clerk of Court, not the Clerk and Recorder.
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Petitions for temporary orders of protection may be filed at the Justice Court (for cases without a pending divorce or parenting plan). Filing packets include the petition form, request for hearing, and confidential law enforcement service information. If there is a pending dissolution or the respondent is out of state, the petition should be filed in District Court. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.
Birth and Death Records
The Flathead County Clerk and Recorder issues birth and death certificates. Certified birth certificates cost $8.00 each; certified death certificates cost $7.00 each. Informational (genealogy) copies for Flathead County events are $0.50 each. A valid ID is required for all requests. Application forms can be obtained in person or downloaded from the Vital Records page. Certificates may also be ordered through the state Office of Vital Records in Helena, where all certificates cost $16.00 regardless of type.
Adoption and Juvenile Records
Adoption proceedings and juvenile matters heard by the District Court are confidential under Montana law. Adoption records may only be released by court order. Youth court records may be sealed under MCA § 41-5-216 and are generally not open to inspection absent a court order.
Flathead County Probate Court Records
Montana does not have a separate probate court. All probate matters in Flathead County — including formal and informal estate administration, will contests, ancillary probate, guardianships, and conservatorships — are handled by the District Court. The Clerk of Court manages the probate case files.
Filing Fees for Probate Proceedings
Per the statewide District Court fee schedule:
| Probate Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Formal, informal, or ancillary probate petition | $100.00 |
| Guardianship petition | $100.00 |
| Conservatorship petition | $100.00 |
| Foreign probate with certificate | $85.00 |
| Order of sale issuance | $5.00 |
| Entry of judgment | $50.00 |
| Certification with seal | $2.00 |
How to Request Probate Records
Probate records are generally public and can be obtained through the same channels as other District Court records:
- Search the Montana District Court Public Access Portal for case index information, including party names, case numbers, and register of actions.
- Visit the Clerk of Court at the Flathead County Justice Center (920 South Main Street, Suite 300, Kalispell, MT 59901) during office hours to review files or request copies.
- Submit a written request by mail to the Clerk of Court. Include the decedent’s or ward’s full name, approximate filing date, and the case number if known.
- Pay applicable copy fees: $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page per document, plus $2.00 for certification if needed.
For older probate records that may not appear in the online portal, contact the Clerk of Court directly at (406) 758-5870. Individuals who need assistance navigating probate filings or understanding court procedures can visit the Flathead County Self-Help Law Center, located at the Justice Center at 920 South Main Street in Kalispell (Phone: (406) 758-3397). Court staff and self-help center personnel can provide procedural guidance and forms but cannot offer legal advice.