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Gallatin County, Montana Court Records

Gallatin County court records refer to all the official documents created and kept throughout county court proceedings. Civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and other court cases filed before the courts are all documented in these files. The Clerk of the District Court is the county's primary custodian of court records (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-501).

Court records are linked to other public records. For instance, information from police arrest records may be included in a criminal prosecution. Vital records such as death, marriage, birth, and adoption certificates may also be cited in probate and family court proceedings.

Are Gallatin County Court Records Public?

Yes. Court documents in Gallatin County are generally available to the public. The public is entitled to review files of public agencies, including courts, under Article II, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution. Inspection and access requirements for court records are also outlined in the Montana Rules for Public Access to Court Records.

While the majority of court documents are accessible to the public, some records or parts of records may not be available in order to safeguard sensitive information, privacy, or safety:

  • Juvenile records
  • Adoption records
  • Court documents that are sealed
  • Procedures for mental health commitments
  • Some probate-related matters
  • Details identifying children or victims of crime
  • Documents sealed by federal or state law.

What Information is Available in Gallatin County Court Records?

Gallatin County court records may contain the following wide range of case-related information:

  • Names of parties involved
  • Charges and offenses
  • Status of the case
  • Court directives
  • Decisions and judgments
  • Dates of hearings and trials
  • Details about sentencing
  • The case number
  • Date of filing
  • Warrant information
  • Details of probation
  • Attorneys' names
  • Pleadings and court motions
  • Information about appeals
  • Jury decisions
  • Amounts of fines, fees, and restitution
  • Type of case

Gallatin County Court Records Search

Gallatin County court records are usually handled by different courts (District Court, Justice Court, city and municipal courts). To conduct an effective search, a requestor needs to know what type of records it is and which court handles them. Generally, these courts use online, in-person, mail, and phone resources to handle public requests for records:

Online Access

  • Persons interested in district court records may use the District Court's search system to search by name or case number. This system shows details on filings, hearings, and orders for cases from 2012 to the present. To obtain copies of records, send an email. Sealed cases, including adoptions and abuse proceedings, do not appear in this system.
  • For Justice Court, traffic, or small claims records, parties may use the Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal.

In-Person Access:

  • Requestors may search records directly at the relevant courthouse.
  • The Clerk of District Court, located at the Law and Justice Center in Bozeman, allows free inspection of open files, with a copy fee charged for printed pages.
  • The Justice Court of Record offers a free public search terminal at its front counter, available on a first-come, first-served basis, with copies costing 25 cents per page. Records from before 1994 are not available at this terminal.
  • Bozeman Municipal Court requires visitors to pass through a security checkpoint, and the office does not operate during lunchtime (12:00 - 12:45 PM). Belgrade Municipal Court accepts in-person requests at its public counter.

Mail and Phone Requests

  • Requestors may send written requests to the Clerk of the District Court. Processing takes three to five business days, and payment is accepted by credit card or by check. Email requests are also acceptable. The office can also be reached via phone ((406) 582-2170). Requests should be sent to:

Clerk of District Court

515 South 16th Avenue - Room 1041

Bozeman, MT 59715

  • Justice Court also accepts mail and phone requests:
  • Complete a Records Request Form
  • Mail or email the form to the court
  • Processing in 7 to 10 business days
  • Costs $25 per request, payable by cash, local check, or money order.
  • For phone inquiries, call (406) 582-2191.
  • Requests should be sent to:

Gallatin County Justice Court of Record

515 South 16th Avenue, Suite 1100

Bozeman MT 59715

Fees for Court Records in Gallatin County

Gallatin County court records are free to inspect. Requestors pay only for staff-assisted searches, printing copies, and delivery.

  • Search fee: $2.00 per name, per year (first 7 years); $1.00 per year after that
  • The printing of paper copies costs $1.00 per page (first 10 pages), and $0.50 per page after that.
  • Fax or email copies cost $0.25 per page.
  • Certified copies: $2.00 per document
  • Justice Court flat fee: $25.00 per request

Gallatin County Courthouse Locations

The Gallatin County court network consists of a District Court, one Justice Court, four city courts, and one municipal court. Below are all the courthouse addresses and contact information:

Gallatin County District Court - Justice Center

515 South 16th Avenue, Room 1041

Bozeman, MT 59178

Phone: (406) 582-2165

Gallatin County Justice Court

Gallatin County Justice Center

515 S 16th Ave, Suite 1100

Bozeman MT 59715

Phone: (406) 582-2191

Belgrade City Court

91 East Central

Belgrade, MT 59714

Phone: (406) 388-3774

Manhattan City Court

207 South 6th Street

P.O. Box 96

Manhattan, MT 59741

Phone: (406) 284 3235

Three Forks City Court

206 Main Street, PO Box 187

Three Forks, MT 59752

Phone: (406) 285-3444

West Yellowstone City Court

440 Yellowstone Avenue

Po Box 1570

West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Phone: (406) 646 7845

Bozeman Municipal Court

901 North Rouse, Suite 235

Bozeman, MT 59715

Phone: (406) 582-2040

Criminal Records Access in Gallatin County

Montana's Department of Justice, not the county courts, is in charge of official state-level criminal background checks. A complete background check can be obtained through that state agency. However, the county courts hold the records of local criminal cases:

  • Online portals: The District Court's online search system provides access to case records. The Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal provides access to Justice Court data as well as traffic and small claims cases.
  • In-person searches: It may be necessary to visit city and municipal court records. Staff members are on hand to assist with any confusion regarding a search or a case, and some facilities provide on-site public terminals for self-service searches.

Gallatin County Probate Records

Probate records are the court files that document the judicial processes used to manage trusts, safeguard minors or incapacitated people, and settle a deceased person's estate (Montana Uniform Probate Code (Title 72, MCA)). The Gallatin County District Court Clerk handles these records. Common types of probate records include:

  • Wills: legal documents that state how a deceased person's belongings should be distributed. Once the court approves a will, it becomes a public record (MCA § 72-3-105).
  • Trusts: agreements that manage assets for specific people.
  • Guardianships: court orders that assign someone to care for a juvenile or incapacitated person (MCA Title 72, Chapter 5, Parts 2 and 3).
  • Conservatorships: court orders that assign someone to manage a person's finances.

The District Court Public Access Portal allows online searches of public probate records, including recent filings. Users should, however, note that adoptions and abuse records are confidential and not available online.

Gallatin County Family Court Records

The public's accessibility to Gallatin County family law cases depends on the kind of case being sought. Some records are publicly accessible, while others are kept confidential to protect kids and sensitive information:

  • Adoption: According to MCA Section 42-6-101, all hearings and records remain private and confidential.
  • Divorce: The Clerk of District Court maintains public records of filings and decrees (MCA § 3-5-501). Restrictions usually apply to all the sensitive components in family law records. For example, Social Security numbers (MCA § 25-20-202).
  • Child support and paternity: Paternity and child support hearings are confidential except for the final ruling (MCA § 40-6-120)
  • Custody and parenting plans:The court may seal certain files to safeguard a child's welfare (MCA § 40-4-216).

How to access records online or at the courthouse:

  • Online: The Montana Public Access Portal is a free online resource for finding records by person or case number. However, sealed cases, adoption, and paternity are not covered by this service.
  • Courthouse access: The District Court Clerk's office has complete records. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Certified copies: Applications may be submitted by mail, email, or in person to the District Court Clerk's office. A fee is required.

Federal Court Records in Gallatin County

Federal court records cover cases filed in federal court, such as bankruptcy, federal crimes, and lawsuits between parties from different states. Gallatin County falls under the Butte Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Individuals may search and view federal records online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. A PACER account requires registration and costs $0.10 per page viewed. Alternatively, requestors can visit the Court Clerk's office in person to search for these court records.

Gallatin County Court