Silver Bow County, Montana Court Records
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Silver Bow County sits in southwestern Montana and is home to the historic mining city of Butte. The county runs under a consolidated city-county government called Butte-Silver Bow, which oversees three separate courts handling everything from minor traffic violations to complex estate proceedings. Whether you need records from a felony criminal case, a civil dispute, a family law matter, or an estate proceeding, your first step is figuring out which court holds those records and how to request them.
You can search Silver Bow County court records through several channels. MontanaCourts.us is a useful starting point for locating publicly available case information in Montana, and the state's online portals let you access many district and limited jurisdiction court records remotely. If online tools fall short, the Clerk of the District Court and the Justice Court clerks maintain physical records and can help with in-person or mail-based requests.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Silver Bow County?
The most direct route for searching a Silver Bow County case is the Montana District Court Public Access Portal, which the Montana Judicial Branch maintains as part of an ongoing transition to a centralized case management system. A companion portal, the Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal, covers records from the Justice Courts and City Court. Both portals are free to use and allow basic searches by name or case number.
For in-person searches, all three Silver Bow County courts are located at the Butte-Silver Bow County Courthouse, 155 West Granite Street, Butte. Follow these steps whether you're searching online or in person:
- Identify the correct court. Find out whether the case originated in District Court, Justice Court, or City Court — each maintains its own records.
- Gather identifying information. A case number, the full names of the parties involved, and the approximate filing date will speed things up significantly.
- Search online first. Check the District Courts Public Access Portal or the Limited Jurisdiction portal at courts.mt.gov to see whether the case is available digitally.
- Contact or visit the appropriate clerk's office. If online results are incomplete or you need certified copies, reach out to the relevant clerk directly.
- Submit a written request if needed. Justice Court requires a completed request form for records; District Court requests can also be made by mail with payment enclosed.
Are Court Records Public in Silver Bow County?
Montana's Public Records Law, found at MCA Title 2, Chapter 6, sets a general presumption in favor of public access to government records, including court records. Most Silver Bow County court records — case files, docket entries, judgments, and orders — are open for public inspection.
That said, certain categories of records are restricted by statute or court order. The Second Judicial District Court's local rules (Rule 13) state clearly that no file may be sealed from public inspection except for records made confidential by law or court order, and that sealing in extraordinary cases requires a written motion and a showing of good cause. The following record types are commonly restricted or withheld:
- Juvenile court records — Records involving persons under 18 are sealed under MCA 41-5-216 and are generally not available to the public.
- Sealed criminal records — When a criminal history record is sealed under MCA 46-18-204, public access is blocked unless a district court orders otherwise.
- Adoption records — Petitions for adoption and related documents may be restricted.
- Sexual assault victim information — Names and identifying details of victims are withheld.
- Medical and financial records — Personal health information and financial data included in court files may be redacted.
- Active investigation records — Materials related to ongoing criminal investigations are generally not disclosed.
If you believe you're entitled to access a sealed or restricted record, you can file a motion in the Second Judicial District Court explaining the basis for your request.
Silver Bow County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Silver Bow County are distributed across all three courts depending on how serious the offense is. The Butte-Silver Bow County District Court, which serves as Montana's Second Judicial District, handles all felony prosecutions and maintains the associated criminal case files. The Butte-Silver Bow Justice Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases — including citations issued by the Montana Highway Patrol, Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Transportation, and airport authorities — and also conducts initial appearances for individuals charged with felonies. Butte City Court handles traffic citations, misdemeanor criminal cases, and violations of city ordinances.
Butte-Silver Bow County District Court
Address: Courthouse, Room 313, 155 W. Granite St., Butte, MT 59701
Phone: (406) 497-6350
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Butte-Silver Bow County Justice Court
Address: Courthouse, Room 305, 155 W. Granite St., Butte, MT 59701
Phone: (406) 497-6390
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Friday
Butte City Court
Address: Courthouse, Room 401, 155 W. Granite St., Butte, MT 59701
Phone: (406) 497-6365
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Friday
To request records from the Justice Court, submit a completed Butte Justice Court Request for Public Records form, which is available from the clerk's office in Room 305 or as a downloadable document on the county website. The fee schedule for Justice Court record searches is:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record search (per name) | $10.00 |
| Copies (first 10 pages) | $1.00 per page |
| Copies (beyond 10 pages) | $0.50 per page |
| Government agency searches (on agency letterhead) | No charge |
District Court copy fees are set by MCA 25-1-201 and include $1.00 per page for the first 10 pages of a file, $0.50 per page after that, and $0.25 per page for copies transmitted electronically. A records search at the District Court costs $2.00 per name per year searched (up to seven years), with an additional $1.00 per name for each year beyond seven.
Fines on City Court citations can be paid online through CitePay USA — select Montana, then Butte City Court. The court also maintains an active warrants list that is updated on a regular basis.
Silver Bow County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Silver Bow County are handled at two levels depending on the dollar amount at issue. The District Court has broad civil jurisdiction covering property disputes, contract matters, and cases where the amount in controversy exceeds the Justice Court's threshold. The Justice Court handles civil actions involving up to $15,000 (excluding court costs), and small claims matters involving up to $7,000 may also be heard there. Counterclaims in small claims cases cannot exceed $6,500.
The Clerk of the District Court is the official keeper of all District Court civil records, including case files, pleadings, motions, judgments, and related documents — both physical and electronic. Under the Second Judicial District Court Local Rules, original documents may not be removed from the clerk's office, and no file may be taken without a written receipt.
Filing fees for civil matters at the District Court level, as set by MCA 25-1-201, are:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff filing fee (general civil) | $90.00 |
| Defendant appearance fee | $60.00 |
| Entry of judgment (prevailing party) | $50.00 |
| Filing a complaint in intervention | $80.00 |
| Issuance of execution or order of sale | $25.00 |
| Transfer of case to another court | $5.00 |
Civil cases in the Justice Court — including landlord-tenant disputes and orders of protection — are handled by both Justice Court departments. The court has concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court for civil actions between $7,000 and $15,000. To search civil case records, use the District Court Public Access Portal or request records in person at the applicable courthouse office. For civil records from the Justice Court, the same $10 per-name search fee applies.
Silver Bow County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Silver Bow County fall under the jurisdiction of the Second Judicial District Court. The Clerk of the District Court maintains all domestic relations case files, including petitions for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and support, and contested amendments to parenting plans.
The filing fee for a petition for dissolution of marriage (divorce) is $170.00 under MCA 25-1-201. Part of this fee goes to the children's trust fund, the civil legal assistance for indigent victims of domestic violence account, and the partner and family member assault intervention and treatment fund. Petitions for legal separation carry a $150.00 filing fee. A contested amendment to a final parenting plan costs $120.00 to file, though this fee is waived if the non-moving party files a signed agreement not to contest the amendment.
To get a copy of a divorce record, visit the Clerk of the District Court at Room 313 or send a written request by mail. A copy of a dissolution decree costs $10.00 under MCA 25-1-201. Have the names of the parties ready, and include a case number or approximate filing date if you have one.
The Butte-Silver Bow County Clerk of the District Court also issues marriage licenses. The fee is $53.00 — cash or money order only; personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted for this purpose. Licenses are issued between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and each applicant must bring proof of age, such as a driver's license or birth certificate. The license is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $5.00.
Orders of protection in domestic violence matters may be filed through the Justice Court. The Justice Court also handles landlord-tenant disputes, which sometimes come up in connection with family housing situations. Domestic relations mediation, established under Rule 37 of the Second Judicial District Local Rules, is available to help parents resolve disputes involving children's best interests.
Juvenile matters — including delinquency petitions — are handled by the Youth Court, which operates under the supervision of the Second Judicial District Court judges. Youth Court records are sealed by operation of MCA 41-5-216 and are not accessible to the general public. The Youth Court Probation Office works with law enforcement referrals for individuals under 18, and most juvenile cases are resolved through an informal process involving a probation officer and the child's parent or guardian.
Birth and death records for individuals born or who died in Butte-Silver Bow are maintained by the Clerk and Recorder's Office, located at Room 208, 155 W. Granite St., Butte, MT 59701. Phone: (406) 497-6335 Records older than 29 years are open to public inspection during office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Copies of birth or death records cost $0.50. Certified copies of birth certificates can also be ordered using the Birth Certificate Application form or by calling (406) 497-6210. Death certificate requests may be submitted using the Death Certificate Request form.
Silver Bow County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Silver Bow County are filed with and administered by the Clerk of the District Court in Room 313 of the Courthouse. The Second Judicial District Court oversees estate administration proceedings, including informal, formal, and supervised probate, as well as petitions for the appointment of guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults.
Under MCA 25-1-201, the filing fee for a probate application — including informal, formal, or supervised probate, or a petition for appointment of a personal representative, guardian, or conservator — is $70.00. This fee covers the cost of filing a will for probate. A domiciliary foreign personal representative administering the estate of a nonresident decedent pays $55.00 to file the required statutory items. Under the Second Judicial District's local rules (Rule 6), Tuesday is designated as probate day in Department No. I, where uncontested estate matters are routinely addressed.
Probate case records are generally public unless they contain information made confidential by law or by specific court order. Estate records typically include the will, inventory of assets, petitions, notices to creditors, accountings, and the final order of distribution. To obtain copies of probate documents, contact the Clerk of the District Court at (406) 497-6350 or visit Room 313 in person. Copy fees follow the schedule set by MCA 25-1-201: $1.00 per page for the first 10 pages of a given file request, and $0.50 per page after that. Certified copies carry an additional fee of $2.00 for the certificate and seal.
Property records related to estates — including deeds and recorded instruments — are maintained separately by the Clerk and Recorder's Office in conjunction with the Land Records Department. Recorded document access is available online through iDoc Market, a platform Butte-Silver Bow County uses to provide remote access to recorded land and property documents. Recording times at the Clerk and Recorder's Office run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the standard recording fee is $8.00 per page for documents that meet established document standards.