Lewis and Clark County Court Records Search
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Lewis and Clark County, home to Montana’s capital city of Helena, operates a court system spanning three levels: the District Court, Justice Court, and Helena Municipal Court. Together, these courts handle the full range of civil disputes, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, and probate proceedings arising within the county. Court records generated through these proceedings — including dockets, orders, judgments, decrees, indexes, affidavits, motions, and case management data — are defined under § 3-1-115, MCA to encompass both paper filings and electronic storage. Understanding which office maintains which records, and how to access them, can save considerable time for anyone researching a case.
Montana court records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, and online portals. The Judicial Branch’s public access systems and individual county offices serve as the primary channels for locating case information. MontanaCourts.us may help users identify where to find publicly available court case information across the state’s judicial system.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lewis and Clark County?
Depending on the type of case and the court that handled it, several search methods are available.
Online Portals
The Montana Judicial Branch operates two public access portals. The Montana District Court Public Access Portal provides online access to District Court records and the court calendar. To search Lewis and Clark County records, users select “Lewis and Clark District Court” from the dropdown menu. A separate Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal covers justice and municipal courts in participating counties. Both portals allow basic case searches and docket viewing at no cost, though individual document images are not viewable remotely — only case index information is available online.
Clerk of District Court — Search Requests
The Clerk of District Court processes formal search and copy requests by email or in person. Search and copy requests may be emailed to cdcsearches@lccountymt.gov. Requesters should use the applicable request forms available from the Clerk’s office and allow approximately 10 business days for processing. Search fees are $2.00 per name per year for the first seven years, and $1.00 per name per year thereafter.
Lewis and Clark County District Court — Clerk of Court
Address: 228 East Broadway Street, Helena, MT 59601
County Mailing: 316 N. Park Avenue, Helena, MT 59623
Phone: (406) 447-8200
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email: cdcsearches@lccountymt.gov
Justice Court — In-Person and Mail Requests
Justice Court does not maintain a public access terminal, so record searches must be requested directly. Requesters provide a subject’s name and the years to be searched. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail.
Justice Court (Clerk of Justice Court)
Mailing Address: 228 Broadway, Room 102, Helena, MT 59601
Civil/Small Claims: (406) 447-8201
Criminal Matters: (406) 447-8202
Fax: (406) 447-8269
Helena Municipal Court
Address: 406 Fuller Ave, Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 447-8466
Fax: (406) 447-8265
Are Court Records Public in Lewis and Clark County?
Court records in Lewis and Clark County are presumed open to public inspection under Montana’s constitutional right to know, which guarantees public access to government records unless a judge has issued a specific order to the contrary. Any document submitted to a court is generally open to public view absent such an order.
That said, several categories of records are protected from routine public disclosure by statute or court rule:
- Pre-sentencing investigation reports — prepared for the court’s use in sentencing and withheld from general access
- Medical and psychological reports incorporated into court records
- Juvenile court records — generally confidential under Montana law
- Probation supervision records for individuals serving probationary sentences
- Judges’ personal notes and draft orders — not part of the formal court record
- Records sealed by court order in specific and uncommon circumstances
When portions of a record are exempt, the public portion is typically made available with the exempt sections withheld. Requesters who believe a denial is improper may seek review through the courts. Government agencies submitting written requests on official letterhead are exempt from certain search fees at the Justice Court level.
Lewis and Clark County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Lewis and Clark County are prosecuted in the District Court, Montana’s court of general jurisdiction. Misdemeanor offenses — including traffic, criminal, and animal control violations — are handled by the Justice Court (countywide) and the Helena Municipal Court (within city limits). The Helena Municipal Court processes misdemeanor traffic and criminal offenses, city ordinance violations, animal control matters, and orders of protection.
Searching Criminal Case Records
District Court criminal cases can be located through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal by selecting Lewis and Clark District Court from the dropdown. For Justice Court criminal records, requests must be submitted directly to the Clerk of Justice Court at (406) 447-8202.
Justice Court Record Search Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record search (per name, per year) | $2.00/year |
| Copies of records | $0.25 per page |
| Postage (if mailed) | Actual cost |
| Government agency searches | Waived (with agency letterhead) |
Record searches at Justice Court are completed as time permits. There is no public terminal available, so all searches must go through staff.
Criminal History Checks — Montana DCI
For statewide criminal history background checks, the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) operates the Criminal History Online Public Record Search (CHOPRS) system, which is available to the general public. Users can initiate a search through the Public Users portal on the DCI website. Name-based checks use an individual’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
Arrest Records and Detention
The Lewis and Clark County Detention Center is located at 221 Breckenridge Ave. in Helena. A jail roster listing current prisoners in custody is published by the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement and detention services for the county; the Sheriff’s Office can be contacted for records related to arrests handled by county deputies. For Helena Police Department matters, the Records Division is reachable at (406) 447-8469, and correspondence can be mailed to: Helena Police Department, Attn: Records, Helena, MT.
Lewis and Clark County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Lewis and Clark County is divided by the amount in controversy. The District Court handles all significant civil cases, including those involving judgment against the state of Montana for payment of money and all other matters exceeding Justice Court limits. The Justice Court has civil jurisdiction up to $12,000, and Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $7,000.
District Court Civil Records
Civil case records from the District Court are searchable through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal. For certified copies or specific documents, the Clerk of District Court processes requests upon receipt of a completed form. Fees for document copies from the District Court are:
- $1.00 per page for the first 10 pages
- $0.50 per page for each page thereafter
- Search fee: $2.00 per year, per name (up to 7 years); $1.00 per name per year thereafter
Requests should include the defendant’s or respondent’s full name and, where known, the case number. Copy and search requests can be submitted by email to cdcsearches@lccountymt.gov. Payment is processed after the request is reviewed — do not include credit card information with the submitted form; the Clerk’s office will contact requesters for payment.
Justice Court Civil Records
The Justice Court handles civil claims not exceeding $12,000 and small claims up to $7,000. The cost to file a civil case in Justice Court is $50.00. Small claims filings require a $30.00 fee. Searches of Justice Court civil records follow the same fee structure as criminal searches: $2.00 per year per name, with copies at $0.25 per page. Requests should be directed to the Clerk of Justice Court at (406) 447-8201.
Electronic Civil Filing
Attorneys filing civil cases in the District Court may use the court’s electronic filing system. The Montana Courts portal provides guidance on current eFiling procedures and participating courts.
Lewis and Clark County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Lewis and Clark County — including divorce, dissolution, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic protection orders — are handled by the District Court. The Justice Court also addresses certain family-related issues, including some juvenile matters and orders of protection.
Divorce Records
Divorce cases are filed and heard in the District Court. The Clerk of District Court maintains all divorce decrees and related case files. Copies are available upon request:
- Regular copy of a Divorce Decree: $10.00
- Certified copy of a Divorce Decree: $12.00
Requests can be submitted by completing the Request for Copy of Divorce Decree form, available from the Clerk’s office, and emailing it to cdcsearches@lccountymt.gov. Requesters should allow up to 10 business days for processing.
Child Custody and Support
Custody, visitation, and child support proceedings are filed in the District Court and are part of the court’s civil family case inventory. Records are searchable through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal and available for copying through the standard search and copy request process.
Domestic Violence and Protection Orders
Orders of protection in Lewis and Clark County can be issued by both the Justice Court and the Helena Municipal Court. The Helena Municipal Court issues orders of protection as part of its jurisdiction over city ordinance and criminal matters. The Justice Court similarly issues orders of protection at the county level.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Lewis and Clark County are issued by and recorded with the Clerk of District Court at 228 Broadway, Helena. The Clerk maintains marriage license records, and copies can be requested using the standard copy request procedure. Marriage license indexes from the county are also searchable through the Clerk’s online search interface.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Lewis and Clark County are maintained by the Lewis and Clark County Records Department, which holds records dating back to the late 1800s. The county can issue State birth certificates for individuals born since 1921 and death certificates since 2003. County fees are:
- Certified birth record: $8.00
- Certified death record: $7.00
- Genealogical copies: $0.50 each
Requests can be made in person or by mail using the Birth Certificate Order Form or Death Certificate Order Form. All mail requests should be sent with the appropriate fee to:
Lewis and Clark County, Records Department
316 North Park Ave. — Room #113
Helena, Montana 59623
Phone: (406) 447-8306
Email: records@lccountymt.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For statewide vital records, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records issues all birth and death certificates at a statewide fee of $16.00 per certificate, including both certified and informational copies.
Lewis and Clark County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Lewis and Clark County falls under the District Court, which sits in the First Judicial District. The District Court handles all probate matters, including administration of wills and estates, formal and informal probate proceedings, intestate administration, and appointment of personal representatives. Probate records — including petitions, inventories, accountings, and court orders — are public records under Montana’s right to know provisions, unless sealed by court order in exceptional circumstances.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records are included in the Lewis and Clark District Court’s case management system and can be searched through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal by selecting the Lewis and Clark District Court from the dropdown menu. Case index information and docket entries are viewable online; document images require an in-person visit or a formal copy request.
Requesting Probate Records In Person or by Email
To request copies of probate case documents, requesters should submit a completed Search Request or Request for Copies form to the Clerk of District Court. The Clerk’s office can be reached at cdcsearches@lccountymt.gov, and staff will locate records using the decedent’s name or case number. Standard copy and search fees apply:
- Copies: $1.00 per page (first 10 pages); $0.50 per page thereafter
- Search fee: $2.00 per year, per name (up to 7 years); $1.00 per name per year thereafter
Processing time is approximately 10 business days from receipt of the request. The Clerk does not accept credit card details with the initial request form; payment is arranged after the search is complete.
Guardianships and Conservatorships
Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors are also filed in the District Court. These records are part of the District Court’s general probate and civil case inventory and are accessible through the same search and copy procedures described above. Records involving minor children may have restricted access depending on the specific case and any orders entered by the court.