about montana COURT ClerkS
About County Clerk of Courts
Montana court clerks are the official record keepers of all district court records. Records include Marriage, Adoption, Civil, Criminal cases, Dependent Neglect, Domestic Relations, Guardianship, Juvenile, Paternity and Probate cases.
The Clerk of Court’s responsibility is to ensure accurate and up-to-date records. Marriage license applications are also issued, filed and recorded by the Clerk and Deputy Clerk(s) in all counties.
Most county district court clerk records are open to the public. These court records are searched daily by the public, title companies, credit agencies & investigative agencies. Searches, copies and certified copies are provided upon request; applicable fees for searches and copies are applied.
about County clerks office
Whether you need birth records, vital records, court information or marriage records; your county court clerk can help get the information you need. It’s always best to make an appointment or call ahead.
This office also issues passports, acts as jury commissioner for your county, and collects and disburses restitution, fines, and surcharges in criminal cases.
While the District Clerk of Court’s office is here to assist the public, §§ 3-1-601 and 7-4-2210 MCA prohibit this office from giving legal advice or preparing legal documents. Only an attorney can give you legal advice. Additionally, notary public services are not available in this office
about montana courts
Supreme Court
The Montana Supreme Court is in charge of several lower courts to include the Water Court, Workers Compensation Court and all County District Courts, as well as:
- Court of Last Resort
- State Funded Court
- Exclusive Appeal by Rights: Administrative, Civil and Writ
- Exclusive Appeal by Permission: Administrative Agency, Appeals, Civil, Criminal, Writ
- Exclusive Original Proceeding Application For: Bar/Judiciary, Certified Question, Writ, Other
Water Court
- Real Property Cases
- No Jury Trials
- General Jurisdiction Court
District Court
- Real Property, Tort, Contract, Estate, Civil cases
- Domestic Relations
- Juvenile Charges
- Misdemeanor & Felony Charges & Appeals
WorkComp Court
- Administrative Agency
- General Jurisdiction Court
- No Jury Trials
DISTRICT COURT
The District Court is in charge of the Justice Court, City Court and Municipal courts
Justice Court
- Real Property, Tort, Contract
- Small Claims Court up to $3k
- Jury Trials except for Small Claims
- Limited Jurisdiction Court
- Locally Funded
City Court
- Real Property, Tort, Contract / Up to $7,000
- Preliminary Hearings
- Misdemeanors
- Traffic Infractions
- Locally Funded
- Limited Jurisdiction Court
Municipal Court
- Real Property, Tort, Contract / Up to $7,000
- Administrative Agency
- Limited Jurisdiction Court
- Jury Trials
- Locally Funded