Yellowstone County Court Records
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Yellowstone County is Montana's most populous county, with its county seat in Billings. The 13th Judicial District Court is the primary trial court here, staffed by ten district judges and two standing masters who handle civil, criminal, juvenile, probate, and family matters. Beyond the District Court, Yellowstone County also operates a Justice Court, while the City of Billings maintains a Municipal Court and the City of Laurel maintains a City Court. The Clerk of District Court manages all District Court records, overseeing filings that range from adoption and civil litigation to criminal proceedings and estate administration.
If you need to locate court case information in Montana, you can use a combination of local clerk offices, public-access terminals at courthouses, and online tools. MontanaCourts.us can help you find publicly available case details and navigate resources offered by the Montana Judicial Branch, including links to public access portals and court forms.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Yellowstone County?
Where you start depends on which court handled the matter. The District Court, Justice Court, Billings Municipal Court, and Laurel City Court each maintain their own records and have separate procedures for access.
Montana District Court Public Access Portal
The Montana Judicial Branch operates a District Court Public Access Portal that lets anyone search case index information at no cost. You can search by court, party name, or case number. Results show the case number, case type, party names, and the register of actions listing what documents have been filed. A public portal instructional video is available if you need guidance on using the system. The portal operates under specific public access rules and excludes confidential case types — including child abuse and neglect, adoption, paternity, commitment, cases involving minors, and sealed cases.
In-Person Access at the District Court
The Clerk of District Court's office is on the seventh floor of the Yellowstone County Courthouse. You can request record searches and copies there during business hours.
Yellowstone County District Court — Clerk of District Court
Address: 217 N. 27th Street, Rooms 702–704, Billings, MT 59101
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 35030, Billings, MT 59107
Phone: (406) 256-2851
Civil matters: (406) 256-2851
Criminal matters: (406) 354-7991
Probate matters: (406) 256-2865
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email contacts:
- Records Search: DC-RecordSearch@yellowstonecountymt.gov
- Case Filing: DC-CaseFiling@yellowstonecountymt.gov
- Fines & Fees: DC-FinesandFees@yellowstonecountymt.gov
- General Questions: DC-Questions@yellowstonecountymt.gov
Mail Requests
Written requests for District Court records must include the case number and party names, a list of requested documents, prepayment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment can be made by money order, cashier's check, or credit card authorization form (a 2.5% bank fee applies to credit card payments). Personal checks are not accepted. Mail requests to P.O. Box 35030, Billings, MT 59107. For fee questions, call (406) 256-2869 or email DC-RecordSearch@yellowstonecountymt.gov.
District Court Search and Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search fee (records 1994 and older) | $2.00 per name/year for first 7 years; $1.00 per name for each additional year |
| Decree of Dissolution copy | $10.00 |
| Marriage License copy | $5.00 (certified: $7.00) |
| General copies | $1.00/page for first 10 pages; $0.50/page thereafter |
| Certification | $2.00 (in addition to copy fees) |
| Authentication | $6.00 (in addition to copy fees) |
All fees must be paid in advance. Cash and credit cards are accepted in person.
Other Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone County Justice Court | 217 N. 27th Street, Room 603, Billings, MT 59101 | (406) 256-2998 |
| Billings Municipal Court | 220 N. 27th Street, Billings, MT 59103 | (406) 657-8490 |
| Laurel City Court | 115 W. 1st Street, Laurel, MT 59044 | (406) 628-1964 |
Are Court Records Public in Yellowstone County?
Court records in Yellowstone County are generally public under the Montana Public Records Act (Mont. Code Ann. 2-6-1003 et seq.), which gives every person the right to examine and obtain copies of public information held by government agencies, including courts. That said, several important exceptions apply.
Records that are not publicly accessible include:
- Child abuse and neglect case files
- Adoption records
- Paternity cases (designated confidential by statute)
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Cases involving minors as parties
- Cases sealed by court order
- Criminal records sealed under MCA 46-18-204
- Family law mediation records (confidential under MCA 40-4-303)
The Montana District Court Public Access Portal excludes these confidential categories from online search results. However, the system will display a publicly accessible notice that a restricted case exists, directing you to contact the local clerk's office for details.
Public officers may also restrict access to records when releasing them could endanger individuals or public safety. Marriage records carry their own privacy rules under MCA 50-15-122 — complete marriage records are sealed for 30 years from the date of the event, though basic details (names, ages, date, location, and officiant) remain publicly accessible during that period.
Yellowstone County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Yellowstone County move through different courts depending on the offense. The District Court handles felonies and most misdemeanors, while the Justice Court covers traffic violations, fish and game offenses, misdemeanors, juvenile alcohol cases, and preliminary hearings. The Billings Municipal Court and Laurel City Court also process certain criminal matters within their city limits.
District Court Criminal Records
Criminal case information can be searched through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal by party name or case number. For copies of criminal filings, contact the Clerk of District Court at (406) 354-7991 or visit Rooms 702–704 on the seventh floor of the courthouse. Standard copy fees apply, and payment must be made in advance. Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 35030, Billings, MT 59107.
Justice Court Criminal Records
The Yellowstone County Justice Court does not perform record searches for individuals or corporations — only law enforcement agencies can request searches directly. If you need a Justice Court criminal record search, you'll need to contact one of the court-approved private search providers listed on the court's website. If you already know the case number, however, you can request document copies by mail. Include a letter describing the documents you need and a $10.00 prepayment. Mail requests to P.O. Box 35032, Billings, MT 59107.
Justice Court copy fees:
- $1.00/page for first 10 pages per case
- $0.50/page thereafter
- $3.00 for certified copies
- $25.00 for audio recording copies (CD only; no transcription available)
Law enforcement, legal services, government agencies, and attorneys of record are not charged for copies.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Montana Department of Justice maintains the state's central criminal history repository and offers both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks.
- Online name-based check via CHOPRS: $20.00 per search — requires the subject's full name, date of birth, and optional Social Security number
- Mail-in name-based check: $15.00 — include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the subject's identifying details
- Fingerprint-based check: $10.00 — available by mail or in person at the Department of Justice
Mail fingerprint-based requests to:
Montana Criminal Records
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Email: dojcriss@mt.gov
In-person requests can be made at 2225 11th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office
The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office handles local law enforcement operations, jail administration, and civil process.
Address: 2323 2nd Avenue N, Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 256-2929
Yellowstone County Civil Court Records
Civil matters are distributed between the District Court and the Justice Court based on the nature and value of the claims. The District Court handles general civil litigation, claims for monetary damages against the state, and cases beyond the jurisdictional limits of other courts. The Justice Court's civil division covers property damage, contract disputes, personal property recovery, protection orders, forcible entry and unlawful detainer, and landlord-tenant disputes, with a maximum claim value of $12,000. Its small claims division handles claims up to $7,000, with counterclaims capped at $6,500.
Accessing District Court Civil Records
Civil case information can be searched on the Montana District Court Public Access Portal. For copies of specific filed documents, visit the Clerk of District Court's office in person or submit a mail request with prepayment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 35030, Billings, MT 59107.
Accessing Justice Court Civil Records
Justice Court record copies require a known case number. Submit a letter describing the documents you need along with a $10.00 prepayment to P.O. Box 35032, Billings, MT 59107. Any overpayment will be refunded and underpayments billed.
Laurel City Court Civil Records
For civil records from the Laurel City Court, contact the Court Clerk/Treasurer in person at 115 W. 1st Street, by phone at (406) 628-7431, or by email at cityclerk@laurel.mt.gov.
Court Forms
The Clerk of District Court does not provide pro se forms directly. Instead, individuals are directed to the Yellowstone County Self Help Law Center, a free service of the Montana Supreme Court that provides legal information and assistance with forms for dissolution of marriage, parenting, consumer debt, guardianship of a minor, stepparent adoption, landlord-tenant issues, name changes, and more. The center is at 216 N. 29th Street, Billings, MT 59101, and can be reached at (406) 869-3531 or (406) 869-3532. Additional forms are available for download from the Montana State Law Library.
Yellowstone County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Yellowstone County — including dissolution of marriage, child custody, parenting plans, child support, paternity, and protection orders — are adjudicated by the 13th Judicial District Court. The Domestic Department of the Clerk's Office maintains these records on the seventh floor of the courthouse.
Confidentiality of Family Records
Under MCA 40-4-303, family court mediation records are confidential. Access is limited to the parties involved, their legal representatives, and court-appointed mediators. Paternity case files are also designated confidential by statute and are excluded from the online public access portal.
Dissolution of marriage records are generally accessible to the public once filed, unless a court has ordered confidentiality. Copies of a decree of dissolution cost $10.00. Contact the Clerk's office at (406) 256-2851 for availability and payment instructions.
Marriage License Records
Marriage licenses are maintained by the Clerk of District Court. Under MCA 50-15-122, complete marriage records are sealed for 30 years and available only to the parties during that period. After 30 years, full records become publicly accessible.
To request a marriage license copy by mail, include:
- Year the license was issued
- Names of the groom and bride (with maiden name)
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
- Fee: $5.00 for a copy or $7.00 for a certified copy
- Photo ID (required if the license was issued within the last 30 years)
- Payment by money order, cashier's check, or completed credit card authorization form
Mail to: Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 35030, Billings, MT 59107. In-person requests can be made in Room 704 of the courthouse.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records are maintained by the Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's Office, not the District Court. Under MCA 50-15-122, the occurrence of a birth or death is publicly disclosable upon filing, but complete birth records are sealed for 30 years. Certified or uncertified copies can be obtained by completing the Birth Certificate Request Form or the Death Record Request Form and mailing it with payment to:
Yellowstone County Clerk & Recorder
P.O. Box 35001
Billings, MT 59107
Records are typically processed and mailed within 24 hours of receipt.
Yellowstone County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Yellowstone County are handled by the 13th Judicial District Court. The probate division oversees estate administration, distribution of assets, settlement of debts, guardianships, conservatorships, and related proceedings. The Clerk of District Court maintains all probate case files.
Types of Probate Records
- Wills and testamentary documents
- Petitions for probate and appointment of personal representative
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Court orders for distribution of assets
- Guardianship and conservatorship petitions, reports, and orders
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal by party name or case number. Commitment cases are excluded from the online portal because they are confidential by statute.
For copies of probate filings, visit the Clerk of District Court's office on the seventh floor of the courthouse during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or submit a written request by mail. The probate division can be reached directly at (406) 256-2865. Standard copy fees apply: $1.00 per page for the first ten pages, $0.50 per page thereafter, $2.00 for certification, and $6.00 for authentication. Prepayment is required for all requests.
Probate Forms
The Montana Judicial Branch provides standard probate and end-of-life forms through the state law library. The Yellowstone County Self Help Law Center can also assist individuals navigating guardianship and other probate-related matters without legal representation. The center is at 216 N. 29th Street in Billings and can be reached at (406) 869-3531.