Gallatin County Court Records

Gallatin County court records refer to court-maintained documents of any form that were created or collected while carrying out judicial actions or duties. Examples of these records include case files, dockets, official litigation records, judgments/orders, minutes, and other relevant data stored in the court’s case management system.

Generally, Gallatin court records contain information that summarizes a specific case or action, such as:

• Party names
• Case number
• File or disposition dates
• Case type (criminal, probate, civil, etc) and description (DUI, adoption, divorce, etc)
• Case status (dismissed, ongoing, adjudicated)
• Court Name
• Charges or complaints
• Statute details
• Findings and judgment

As part of Montana court records, these documents are significant in maintaining a transparent judicial system. Persons can use them to discharge orders, prove actions, and review decisions for appeals.

Are Court Records Public in Gallatin County?

Yes, Gallatin County makes its court documents available to the public in line with the Montana Public Records Act. This Act grants persons the right to review and obtain copies of records created by state agencies, including courts. However, courts can also restrict access to records or information that may endanger personal or public safety unless the need for public disclosure exceeds that for privacy.

Therefore, exempted court records may include:

• Records from child abuse and neglect cases
• Information on minors
• Information on confidential informants and crime victims
• Personal health or psychological records
• Records placed under court seal
• Information subject to attorney-client privilege
• Personal identifying details like driver’s license number and social security number
• Personal financial data.

Gallatin County Court Records Search

Interested persons can find Gallatin County court records with a court’s case search tool by requesting copies from the court or through third-party access. Every option involves providing case details like party names, case numbers, and relevant dates to help locate the record.

Additional requirements for some searches may include contacting the custodian, describing the needed record, and paying fees for searching, copying, or certifying the record. Some requests may also require persons to provide valid photo identification to prove rights to access the record.

Gallatin County Court Records Search by Name

Individuals can conduct online name-based searches for Gallatin court records using the public portals provided by the Montana Judicial District. After choosing a portal based on whether the case was heard by the Gallatin District Court and other courts of limited jurisdiction, users can conduct searches by inputting party names. Other details that can aid the search include file date, court location/name, and case numbers.

Requests to the court, on the other hand, require more than just party names. Requesters should include case numbers and file dates - or estimated dates - with the requests to assist in record location and recovery. Persons must also determine where to send requests according to where the case was filed. For instance, the District Court Clerk’s Office maintains records for the District Court, while the clerks of the lower courts of limited jurisdictions maintain their respective records.

Therefore, requesters should direct requests containing the case details and identifying the needed record to the proper custodian through acceptable channels, which may include email, mail, or in-person visits. Lastly, the clerks shall charge appropriate search, duplication, or certification fees that requesters should pay (if reasonable) to receive the record.

Gallatin County Courts

Gallatin County is in the 18th Judicial District. The county's residents are served by the District Court, Justice Court, City/Town Courts, and Municipal Court located at:

Gallatin County District Court
Law & Justice Center
615 S. 16th Avenue,
Bozeman, MT 59715

Gallatin County Justice Court
Law & Justice Center
615 S. 16th Avenue
Room 168
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2191
Fax: (406) 582-2163

Three Forks City Court
206 Main Street
P.O. Box 187
Three Forks, MT 59752
Phone: (406) 285-3444
Fax: (406) 285-4136

Belgrade City Court
91 East Central Avenue
Belgrade, MT 59714
Phone: (406) 388-3760
Fax: (406) 388-4996

West Yellowstone City Court
440 Yellowstone Avenue,
P.O. Box 1570
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Phone: (406) 646-7845
Fax: (406) 646-7311

Manhattan City Court
207 South 6th Street,
P.O. Box 96
Manhattan, MT 59741
Phone: (406) 284-3235
Fax: (406) 284-2090

Bozeman Municipal Court
901 N. Rouse Avenue,
Suite 235
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2040

Gallatin County District Court Records

The 18th Judicial District Court has jurisdiction over Gallatin County. This court of general jurisdiction addresses most cases beyond lesser courts’ jurisdictions, such as felonies, civil claims over $12,000, probate matters, and juvenile cases. The District Court also has appellate jurisdiction over certain cases heard in the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, i.e., Justice, City, and Municipal Courts.

The District Court Clerk keeps records of the court proceedings held in the Gallatin County District Court. To obtain copies of these records, interested persons send an email to GallatinDCRecords@mt.gov, visit the clerk in person, or mail written requests containing record descriptions and case details to:

Clerk of District Court
Law and Justice Center
615 S. 16th Avenue,
Room 302
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2165
Fax: (406) 582-2176

Records of cases filed in the District Court from 2012 till date are also available on the public access portal.

Gallatin County Criminal Records

Gallatin County criminal records provide a comprehensive account of an individual’s criminal activities in the county, including arrest, prosecution, and conviction. However, the Sheriff’s Office does not conduct background check services for Gallatin's criminal records. Instead, the Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) compiles and issues information on statewide crime history from various criminal justice agencies.

The DOJ conducts name-based and fingerprint-based background checks and charges between $10 and $30 depending on the request type. Online checks through the CHOPRS portal cost $20, mailed name-based checks cost $15, whereas mailed fingerprint checks are $30 for volunteers, $35 for licensing or employment purposes, and $15 for Montana-only searches.

Interested persons can request background checks in person or by mailing complete requests, fees, fingerprint cards (if needed), and other stated requirements to:

Montana Criminal Records
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
Email: dojcriss@mt.gov
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Fax: (406) 444-0689

For Gallatin County arrest records, direct queries to the arresting agency. For instance, persons may use the online request portal to request records from the Gallatin County Sheriff and Bozeman Police Department. It is important to note that Gallatin's arrest records are limited to arrest-related information, do not provide conviction details, and should not be used as substitutes for criminal records.

Gallatin County Criminal Court Case Lookup

All courts in Gallatin County handle different kinds of criminal violations according to each court’s jurisdiction. To find criminal court case information online, interested persons may use the public access portals to search for records with known case details like names, dates, locations, or case numbers.

On the other hand, obtaining copies of criminal court records requires persons to first determine where the case took place and then make requests by providing case details and identifying the needed record. Requesters should also pay appropriate search or duplication fees along with the request (if required) or after receiving a cost breakdown from the clerk.

Get Gallatin County Civil Court Records

Civil court records include all documents created, collected, and maintained by Gallatin County Courts concerning civil cases such as:

• Breach of contract
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Property law violations
• Tort claims
• Local ordinance violations

All courts in Gallatin County can preside over civil cases according to their jurisdiction. For instance, the District Court handles tort with claims over $15,000 and claims against the State, whereas the Justice Court handles protection orders and landlord-tenant disputes but shares jurisdiction to hear lesser tort claims with other courts of limited jurisdiction. As a result, Gallatin County civil court records are available with different custodians.

To get these records, individuals should identify the court where civil actions happened. The District Court Clerk maintains records for the District Courts, while lower courts of limited jurisdiction maintain their respective civil court records. Next, record seekers should send request letters containing record descriptions and case details like case numbers, file dates, and party names to the appropriate court. The court/clerk’s response shall provide a breakdown of fees that requesters should pay to obtain copies of the requested document.

Alternatively, the public access portal for the District Court and Courts of Limited Jurisdiction provides online access to records of cases filed from 2012 till date.

Gallatin County Family Court Records

In Gallatin County, the District Court presides over cases involving the state’s Family Law, including termination of marriages, paternity, parenting (custody), adoption, and support. Records of these cases, like decrees and orders, are critical in enforcing judgments and in appellate reviews. However, the court may seal or restrict access to records or information deemed to invade personal privacy, such as:

• Personal identifying information
• Filed medical reports
• Confidential business or financial data
• Information subject to attorney-client privilege

Access to restricted records is, however, available to involved parties, authorized representatives, and persons with a court order of disclosure. To request family court records in Gallatin County, persons should visit, email, or write requests identifying the needed record and case descriptions like party names, case numbers, and relevant dates and send them to:

Clerk of District Court
615 South 16th Avenue,
Room 302
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2165
Fax: (406) 582-2176
Email: GallatinDCRecords@mt.gov

The clerk provides regular records at $1 per copy for the first ten pages and $0.50 for subsequent copies. Requests without relevant dates or case details may incur a $2 search fee for the first seven years searched and $1 for each added year. Requesters can include fees with the initial record if known, include a blank check (within stated limits), or wait for the clerk’s response.

Gallatin County family court records filed since 2012 may also be accessible online with the District Court public access portal.

Gallatin County Marriage and Divorce Records

Gallatin County marriage records are available at the District Court, where licenses were issued and certified. Similarly, records of divorces granted by the District Court are also available here. The District Court Clerk is responsible for providing marriage and divorce records in the county. Gallatin County marriage certificates cost $5 per regular copy and $7 for certified copies, whereas divorce decrees cost $10 or $12 for simple or certified copies, respectively.

Interested persons can get these records by emailing, submitting, or sending requests letters containing marriage or divorce details and fees to:

Clerk of District Court
615 South 16th Avenue,
Room 302
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2165
Fax: (406) 582-2176
Email: GallatinDCRecords@mt.gov

Persons may access records of divorces filed since 2012 with the District Court public access portal.

Gallatin Birth and Death Records

Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder maintains records of births and deaths that happen in the county. While death records are public, certified copies of Gallatin County birth records are strictly available to the following persons:

• Record subjects who are at least 14 years old
• Spouses
• Parents and grandparents
• Children
• Guardians and caretaker relative
• Legal representatives
• Persons who can prove that the record is required for determining or protecting the subject’s property or personal rights

Gallatin County birth certificates cost $8 each, while informational copies are $2. On the other hand, death certificates cost $7 per copy. Eligible persons should send request forms for birth or death records, fees, copy of valid photo ID, and appropriate proof of relationship or authorization to:

Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder
311 West Main,
Room 203
Bozeman, MT 59715-4574
Phone: (406) 582-3050

As Gallatin County vital records, birth, and death certificates can serve as proof of identification/death and are useful in situations involving official registrations or legally settling a decedent’s estate.

Gallatin County Probate Court Records

Gallatin County District Court handles probate matters involving the wills, survivors, and estate of deceased persons. Individuals interested in getting copies of Probate Court records should direct requests to the District Court Clerk’s Office at:

Law and Justice Center
615 S. 16th Avenue,
Room 302
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2165
Fax: (406) 582-2176
Email: GallatinDCRecords@mt.gov

To request copies, visit, email, or send written requests identifying the needed document and describing the case to the clerk. Requests without relevant dates or specific case details may incur a $2 search fee for the first seven years searched and $1 for each added year. Regular records cost $1 per copy for the first ten pages and $0.50 for subsequent copies.

Other records may also have a fixed amount, which requesters may include in the initial request. If the exact record cost is unknown, requesters may include a blank check (with the payment limit stated in the memo line) or wait for the clerk’s response containing a cost breakdown.

Gallatin County Property Records

In Gallatin County, the Clerk and Recorder’s Office maintains most property records, including deeds, liens, mortgages, and maps/plats. These records provide information on a real property such as:

• Ownership details
• Map location or address
• Survey details
• Property characteristics

To access Gallatin County property records, interested persons may conduct online document searches or send filled request forms and appropriate fees to:

Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder
311 W. Main
Room 203
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-3050
Fax: (406) 582-3196

Historical property records are also accessible online through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site. To obtain information on a property’s value or assessment report, direct requests to the Bozeman Field Office of the Montana Department of Revenue at:

2273 Boot Hill Court,
Suite 100
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-3400
Email: DORPADBozeman@mt.gov

Gallatin County Court Records Online

State residents and non-residents can conduct online name-based searches for Gallatin court records using the public portals provided by the Montana Judicial District. Interested persons may also be able to access Gallatin County court records online with non-government third-party resources like Montanacourtrecords.us. Using case details like case numbers, party names, or dates, record seekers can easily search, find, or even download Gallatin court records from anywhere upon utilizing search tools provided by these sites. However, such sites operate independently of state agencies. As such, verifying the validity of information obtained on these platforms may be difficult.