Chouteau County Information
Chouteau County can be found in the state of Montana. A census established that Chouteau County had a total population of 5,895 in 2020. In Chouteau County, the current seat is Fort Benton.
It was formed in 1865.
It was named in 1882 after Pierre Chouteau Jr., a fur trader who established a trading post that became Fort Benton, which was once an important port on the Missouri River.
Chouteau County Arrest Records
In Chouteau County, arrest records are also kept on each crime within the jurisdictional area. Crimes in Chouteau County are split into two primary categories, violent crime and property crime. Property crimes can include things such as burglary, vehicle theft, and larceny. Robbery, aggravated assault, murder, and forcible rape make up the four main violent crime categorizations. In 2021, in Chouteau County, there were 4 violent and 3 property crimes. Chouteau County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at:
Chouteau County Sheriff’s Office
1215 Washington Street
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Phone: (406) 622-5451
Chouteau County Criminal Records
Chouteau County records its criminal activity in the form of criminal records. These records cover murders, rapes, burglaries, arson, motor vehicle theft, assaults, and crimes of a sexual nature. The criminal records in Chouteau County are consistently up to date. In Chouteau, County individuals can use a search tool in order to get access to the records. Any individual on release or in jail can be searched for using the tool. Chouteau County sex offender register is updated constantly. Every offender living, working, attending school, or incarcerated in the Chouteau County area must be on this list. This register is accessible by the public in Chouteau County.
Residents living in Chouteau County can use tools to search for any offenders in the area. People must simply enter a zip code to act as the center of their search. All offenders within those coordinates will then be revealed to the Chouteau County resident. Residents can also lookup specific offenders in Chouteau County. Results encompass all offenders, even those imprisoned or non-compliant.
Chouteau County Court Records
The courthouse supervises all civil, family, and criminal cases in Chouteau County. Court records in Chouteau County are compiled and looked after by the court clerk. Montana's 56 District Courts, including in Chouteau County, maintain general jurisdiction for both civil and criminal cases and also appeals from decisions of select lower courts. The District Courts also have limited appellate jurisdiction over cases arising in the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction in their respective districts as may be prescribed by law and consistent with the Constitution. Chouteau County court records can be accessed at:
Chouteau County Courthouse
1308 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 771
Ft Benton, MT 59442
Phone: (406) 622-5024
Fax: (406) 622-3028
NOTE - Standard court records in Chouteau County can usually be delivered by mail, email, or fax once payment is received. Nevertheless, any official or credentialed records in Chouteau County can only be delivered via mail.
Chouteau County Public Records
The state keeps vital records on every last member of the public in Montana, including Chouteau County. All important life events are recorded in these files. These files can contain anything from births and deaths to marriages and divorces. Chouteau County plays an important role in accumulating these files. The state requires some counties to collect and send copies of the records.
The county clerk in Chouteau County is in charge of collecting all marriage records. Marriage records in Chouteau County are stored at the Montana Office of Vital Records. Birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, marriage licenses, divorce certificates, and marriage certificates make up the primary vital records. One central registry is used to store all vital records, including those from Chouteau County. Statistical analysis can be carried out regarding the reports.
Any public record can be copied and accessed by residents in Chouteau County. The 1895 Public Records Act in Montana gave all citizens of Chouteau County the fundamental right to access these public records. To attain public records in Chouteau County, residents must enquire at:
Chouteau County Clerk’s Office
1308 Franklin Street
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Phone: (406) 622-5151
Fax: (406) 622-3012
However, Chouteau County charges a fee per record copied. First copies of birth records cost $12. Death records in Chouteau County cost $15 for the first copy.
NOTE - Chouteau County has a variety of rules that must be followed with regard to obtaining records. The office has opening times of 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. If a requester wishes to obtain documents, they must bring some form of photo identification. This could comprise a driver’s license or state ID. All Chouteau County public record requests must be put in writing.
