What are Cascade County Public Records?
Under the Montana Public Records Act, public records in Cascade consist of information prepared, owned, used, or retained by any public agency concerning the transaction of official business. This information is designated for retention by the state records committee, judicial branch, legislative branch, or local government records committee and must be retrievable for future reference. However, not all government records are public. Record custodians may partially or wholly remove some records if they contain information sealed by a court or exempt by statute. Examples of such information included the following:
- Trade secrets and other proprietary information
- The locations of ancient burial sites are exempt from disclosure
- Security information of government buildings such as blueprints, floor plans, and evacuation plans, the release of which could endanger the safety of employees, computer information, and infrastructure.
- Social security numbers and other personal information whose release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
- Private writings and correspondence of employees that do not concern public business are exempt from disclosure.
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant.
Note: Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Cascade County Crime Statistics
The Cascade County Sheriff's Office has the responsibility of collecting and compiling the yearly crime data for the county. This information is then shared with the FBI and added to the nationwide Uniform Crime Reporting(UCR) database. According to Cascade County's UCR figures, between 2018 and 2019, cases of robbery, aggravated assault, and arson increased by 300%, 46.8%, and 100%, respectively. In contrast, property crime, burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft all reduced by 15.4%, 5%, 19.9%, and 8.1%, respectively.
Are Cascade County's Criminal Records Public?
Under Montana's Public Record Act, public access to criminal records varies case-by-case. While law enforcement agencies may receive all criminal record information, the public can only be granted arrest and court information on felony and misdemeanor charges. That said, record seekers may obtain criminal records and background checks from the Criminal Records and Records Identification Services at the Montana Department of Justice (MDOJ). Also, members of the public have access to name-based searches and fingerprint-based searches from the department of justice in person, online, or by mail. County residents can make name-based searches in person from the office located at 2225 11th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601, from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The requester will need to provide the name, date of birth, and social security number of the subject of the request. Requesters can also mail the information to Montana Criminal Records at:
Montana Criminal Records
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
Mailed requests must also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope for the return of the search results.
Name-based checks can also be requested online via the Criminal History Online Public Records Search (CHOPRS) website. Searches can be performed as a public user, or the requester may become a registered user on the site for a monthly subscription fee.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Residents may obtain law enforcement records and reports from the Cascade County Attorney's Office and the Cascade County Sheriff's Office. Requests can be made by filling the report request form and submitting it to the attorney's office at:
l2l Fourth Street North - Suite 2A
Great Falls, Montana 59401
Phone: (406) 454-6915 Criminal Department
Phone: (406) 454-6904 Civil Department
Fax: (406) 454-6949
Copies of law enforcement records cost a non-refundable search fee of $15 per report. Requesters should also note that any confidential information will be redacted or removed from the report before they receive it. Cashier's checks and money orders are the two acceptable methods of payment, and requests will not be processed until payment has been received.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Cascade County
Interested persons can find sex offender information for Cascade County online on using the Sexual or Violent Offender Registry. Maintained by the Montana Department of Justice, the registry provides an official statewide offender database. With the search tools, users can search for sexual and violent offenders using criteria such as name, city, county, postcode, tier, and compliance criteria. Locations of offenders can even be given on a map provided on the search page.
How to Find Cascade County Inmate Records
Inmate information for Cascade County can be obtained online using the Inmate Roster found on the Cascade County Sheriff's Office website. This roster contains an alphabetical list of all inmates currently in custody at the County Detention Center. Inmate information that can be found on the list includes full names, race, age, mugshot, booking date, charges, bond, and jacket number. Residents may also obtain inmate information by calling the detention center directly at (406) 454-6820.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Cascade County City Jail?
Inmates detained in Cascade County are usually housed at the Cascade County Adult Detention Center located at:
3800 Ulm North Frontage Road,
Great Falls, MT 59404
Visitation at the detention center is noncontact and takes place on Saturdays and Sundays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Visitation times are scheduled bThe housing unit schedules visitation times the housing unit and Inmates are entitled to one 45-minute visit per weekend. Prospective visitors are required to register using the online visitation form at least 24 hours before their selected visitation time. Visitors should arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled visitation time. For more information on inmate visitation, seekers can visit the inmate visitation section of the sheriff's office or call the detention center at (406) 454-6820.
Court Records
To obtain court records for Cascade County, record seekers may contact the Cascade County Clerk of Courts. The clerk of court serves as the record keeper for the district court and maintains records including Adoption, Civil, Criminal, Domestic Relations, Guardianship, Juvenile, Paternity, and Probate cases.
Locations of Courts in Cascade County
The names, locations, and contact details of the courts in Cascade County are listed below:
Cascade County District Court
Cascade County Courthouse
415 2nd Avenue North,
Great Falls, MT 59401
Phone: (406) 454-6780
Fax: (406) 454-6907
Cascade County Justice Court
Cascade County Courthouse
415 2nd Avenue North,
Great Falls, MT 59401
Phone: (406) 454-6873
Fax: (406) 454-6877
Belt City Court
70 Castner Street,
P.O. Box 453, Belt, MT 59412
Phone: (406) 277-3621
Fax: (406) 277-3376
Cascade City Court
9 North Front Street,
P.O. Box 314, Cascade, MT 59421
Phone: (406) 468-2808
Fax: (406) 468-2740
Great Falls Municipal Court
Civic Center, Room 2
2 Park Drive South,
P.O. Box 5021, Great Falls, MT 59403
Phone: (406) 771-1380
Fax: (406) 727-8069
Are Cascade County Court Records Public?
Inn Montana and by association Cascade County, court records are generally considered public records under the Montana Public Records Act. Some records, however, may be sealed by court order or classified as confidential. These types of records would be exempt from public access. Examples of these sorts of court records would be cases where the party is a minor.
Can You Look Up a Cascade County Court Case Online?
Cascade County court records can be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. This is an online public access service that allows users to search for the case and docket information and records for Montana courthouses. Users will be required to register for PACER online and then use the resources on the PACER case-locator to look up case records for a fee.
How to Obtain Cascade County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court case records for Cascade County can be obtained from the Cascade County Clerk of Courts. Searchers may request the records by filling and submitting the request for copies form and submitting it to the clerk of courts in person or mail at:
Clerk of District Court
415 2nd Ave N
Great Falls, MT 59401
Request forms should be filled with the information necessary for the record to be identified and located, like a case number and names of parties to the case. Mailed requests should include the fees and a self-addressed and stamped envelope for returning the record. Fees for court records copies from the clerk of courts are $1 for the first ten pages and $0.50 for each additional page. Requests may indicate they want their record delivered by email or fax on the form. This service will cost $0.25 per page. Payment is accepted in cashier's checks and money orders payable to the clerk of courts. Record requests are usually processed in 5 business days.
How to Obtain Cascade County Criminal Court Records
Cascade County criminal court records can be requested from the Cascade County Clerk of Courts. The records are obtained by downloading and filling the request for copies form and returning it in person or by mail to the clerk of courts at:
Cascade County Clerk of District Court
415 2nd Avenue N
200A
Great Falls, MT 59401
Mailed requests should include a self-addressed and stamped envelope for the return of the records and the appropriate fees. Requesters can also indicate if they want the record delivered electronically by fax or email. Copies of the criminal court records will cost $1 for the first ten pages and $0.50 for each page after the first ten. Copies delivered by fax or email will cost $0.25 per page. Payment is acceptable in cashier's checks, and money orders and requests are processed five business days from receiving the request and payment.
What are Cascade County Vital Records?
Cascade County Vital Records are the records kept by the county's agencies documenting the life events that have occurred in it. These vital records include birth, death, divorce, and marriage records. Vital records for Cascade County can be obtained from their custodians at the County Clerk of Courts and the County Clerk and Recorder. Not all vital records for Montana are considered public records. Certified birth certificates will only be issued to authorized persons who provide identification. On the state level, vital records can be obtained from the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records.
Where and How to Obtain Cascade County Divorce Records
Cascade County divorce decrees can be obtained from the Cascade County Clerk of the District Court. The record can be obtained by downloading and filling the Request For Divorce Decree form and submitting it to the clerk of district courts office at:
Cascade County Clerk of District Court
415 2nd Avenue N
200A
Great Falls, MT 59401
The form can be submitted in person or by mail to the cascade county clerk of the district court. Requesters may also submit a written request containing the following information:
- The parties to the divorce
- Date of the divorce or a range of years to search
- Number of copies and if certification is required
- Requesters name, address, and phone number
Mailed requests should include the fees and a stamped and self-addressed envelope for delivery of the records. Copies of divorce decrees from the district court clerk cost $10 per copy, and certification will cost $2 for each copy. Payment is accepted as cashiers' checks or money orders only. Receipts for the fees will also be issued. Record requests are usually processed in 5 business days.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Cascade County
Marriage records for marriages that occurred in Cascade County can be obtained from the Cascade County Clerk of the District Court. Marriage records in Montana only become public records after 30 years. Until then, access to the record is restricted to certain eligible persons. These persons include:
- Either of the married couple
- Immediate family of the couple (parents and children)
Certified marriage certificates will only be issued to the above persons until the record becomes 30 years old. After the record becomes 30 years old, other interested parties can request and receive informational copies of the record. Informational copies of a record contain the same information but cannot be used for any official purpose.
To request a marriage record from the court clerk, the requester must first download and fill the request for a copy of a marriage license form. Requesters can return the filled-out form in person or by mail to the office at:
Cascade County Clerk of District Court
415 2nd Avenue N
200A
Great Falls, MT 59401
Requesters may also make use of a written request containing the following information:
- The names of the couple, including maiden names
- The date of the marriage ceremony or a range of years to search
- The number of copies required and if they should be certified
- The name, address, and phone number for the requester
If a certified copy of a record under 30 years old is being requested, a copy of one of the couple's valid photo identification must be attached to the application. Mailed requests should also include the correct fees and a self-addressed and stamped envelope to return the record. Copies of a marriage record cost $5 for each copy. Certification of the record will cost an additional 2 per copy. Payment should be made in a cashier's check or money order. Processing time for marriage records is usually five business days from receipt of application and fees.
Where and How to Find Cascade County Birth Records
Records for births that occurred within Cascade County are available from the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder's office. Birth records in Montana are not public records, and certified copies will only be issued to certain authorized persons such as:
- The registrant listed on the record (must be over 14 years old)
- Parent of the registrant
- Spouse and children of the registrant
- The legal guardian of the registrant (must provide documentation)
- Authorized representative such as an attorney (must provide documentation)
After the record becomes 30 years old, non-certified informational copies of the record will be available for any member of the public to request. Informational copies are marked as informational and cannot be used for any legal purposes. If an authorized person is requesting a certified record they must add photocopies of both sides of their driver's license or have the application notarized. A list of acceptable identifications and alternatives is provided on page one of the application form.
Obtaining Copies of Cascade County Birth Certificates
Certified and Information copies of the birth certificate can be obtained by mail or in person from the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder. The requester must download the Montana Birth Certificate application, fill it, sign it and submit the completed application to:
Cascade County Clerk and Recorder
121 4th St N, Suite 1B1
Great Falls, MT 59401
Mailed requests must include a self-addressed and stamped envelope to return the record. For expedited service, the requester may include a pre-paid envelope for express mail(FedEx, UPS, ETC). If the requester is authorized and requesting a certified copy of a record under 30 years old, they must provide identification or have the application notarized. If a requester cannot provide identification or they may choose to attach a Montana Office of Vital Statistics Statement to Identify form.
This form must be filled by a witness who has known the requester for over two years and can vouch for their identity and then notarized. Certified copies of a birth certificate from the Cascade County Clerk and Recorders cost $8 per copy, and informational or uncertified copies cost $2 per copy. Payment should be made in cashier's checks or money orders made payable to the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder. Cash is also accepted if the request is made in person at the office. Record requests are generally processed within two days of receiving (not counting delivery times).
Where and How to Find Cascade County Death Records
Cascade County death certificates are issued to requesters by the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder's office. Death certificates in Montana are issued to anyone who goes through the application process. This means they must provide a completed application, prove their identity with valid identification, state why the record is needed, and then pay the required fees. However, only the deceased's immediate family, their legal representatives, and individuals with a real and tangible interest may receive certified copies. Other interested parties will receive an informational copy that contains the same information but cannot be used for any official or legal purpose.
Death certificates can be ordered in person or by mail from the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder's Office in a few simple steps. First, the requester must download, fill and sign a copy of the death certificate application form. Requesters are advised to read through the form thoroughly. The next step is to provide proof of identity. This can be done by submitting them in person or adding copies to a mailed request.
A list of different acceptable forms of identification and alternatives is provided on the application form. If the requester cannot provide identification, the application form must be notarized. Fees for the death certificate are $7 per certified copy and $2 each for the informational copies. Payment is accepted in cashier's checks for mailed requests, and cash is also accepted during in-person requests. Checks should be payable to the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder. Mailed requests should also include a stamped and self-addressed envelope for returning the record. The form, proof of identification, correct fees, and the return envelope should be submitted in person or mailed to:
Cascade County Clerk and Recorder
121 4th St N STE 1B1
Great Falls, MT 59401
Requests are usually processed within two days of receiving them minus any delivery times.
