Criminal Records
The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency of the county and the custodian of criminal history information of county residents. However, all requests for criminal records and background checks are directed to the Montana Department of Justice which manages the statewide repository of criminal history information. The records provided by the office are thus, statewide arrest histories, felony, and misdemeanor charges as well as conviction information and any outstanding warrants across the state.
How to get Criminal Records
The Montana Department of Justice – Criminal Records and Identification Services Section processes background check requests for the general public as well as local and state enforcement agencies. The checks available in the office may be name-based or fingerprint-based.
Name-based searches provide Montana public criminal history record information only. They are conducted using the subject's name, date of birth and social security number. Requests for these checks can be made by sending a written request which should state the name of the subject, any aliases, their date of birth, and social security number. Requests must also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a $15.00 processing fee per each record being requested.
Requests may be made to:
Montana Criminal Records
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
E-mail: dojcriss@mt.gov
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Fax: (406) 444-0689
On the other hand, fingerprint-based checks provide more comprehensive information and include any records available in the neighboring states of Alaska, Washington, and Idaho. These can only be requested by persons who are authorized to request the record.
How to find Sex Offender Information
The Yellowstone County Sex and Violent Offender Registry features information regarding sex offenders resident within county limits. Interested persons may view information regarding the location, compliance status, and conviction history of offenders by searching the registry. Offenders can be searched by name, location and risk of being repeat offenders.
Where and How to Get Inmate and Jail Information
The Yellowstone County Detention center is managed by the County Sheriff's Office which maintains all information regarding inmates and jail operations. All queries relating to incarcerated persons may be directed to the detention facility staff at:
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
Email: ycdf@co.yellowstone.mt.gov
The office also operates a Detention Center Search Tool with which county residents can search and view public information of incarcerated persons. Inmates can be searched by the last name for details of their housing unit, primary charges, bond conditions and date of birth.
Court Records
Where and How to get Court Records
The Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court maintains records of all court cases filed with and heard by the county court. The office provides copies of non-confidential records to interested persons on request. Requests for court records can be made in person at the county courthouse or via mail.
To make in-person queries to the office, the requesting party is required to visit the courthouse during office hours and furnish court staff with information regarding the record being requested. Requestors will be required to pay a fee which will be determined by the staff based on the request made. This fee can only be paid with cash or credit card.
Similarly, mail queries can be made by sending a written request stating the document being requested and the case number and names of the plaintiff or defendant and the litigant. Written requests should be accompanied by a money order payment of the search fee and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Both in-person and mail requests should be made to:
Clerk of District Court
217 N. 27th Street,
Rms 702, 703 & 704
P.O. Box 35030
Billings, MT 59107
Location of Courts in Yellowstone County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Yellowstone County, Montana:
Yellowstone County Courthouse
217 North 27th Street,
P.O. Box 35030,
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: (406) 256-2851 Fax: (406) 256-2995 (Civil)
Phone: (406) 256-2865 Fax: (406) 256-2995 (Probate)
Phone: (406) 256-2860 Fax: (406) 256-2995 (Criminal)
Yellowstone County Justice Court
Yellowstone County Courthouse
217 North 27th Street,
Room 603,
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 256-2896
Fax: (406) 256-2898
Laurel City Court
Laurel City Hall
115 West 1st Street,
P.O. Box 10,
Laurel, MT 59044
Phone: (406) 628-1964
Fax: (406) 628-4857
Billings Municipal Court
220 North 27th Street,
P.O. Box 1178,
Billings, MT 59103
Phone: (406) 657-8490
Fax: (406) 657-3075
Vital Records
Montana State's birth and death records are generally managed and disseminated by the Montana Department of Public Health Services; however, Yellowstone County's vital records are also maintained by the office of the Clerk of the District Court and the County Clerk and Recorder. The eligibility requirements for obtaining these records are the same throughout all issuing offices, but fees may differ depending on the record being requested.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
The Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court maintains records of divorces granted by the court. The office provides copies of divorce decrees to interested persons on request. Requests for divorce records can be made in person at the county courthouse or by sending a written request to the office via mail.
Requestors are required to provide information regarding the divorce including the names of divorcees, the date and place of the divorce as well as the case file number of the record.
Both in-person and mail requests should be made to:
Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court
217 N. 27th Street,
Rms 702, 703 & 704
P.O. Box 35030
Billings, MT 59107
Where and How to Get Marriage Records
Requests for marriage records are processed by the Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court which also issues licenses to intending couples within county limits. As per state laws, recent marriage records can only be accessed by the persons named on the record; thus, requestors requiring records filed in the last 30 years will be required to present a picture ID to verify their identities.
To obtain a marriage record, interested persons may make in-person or mail requests to the office of the Clerk. Requestors are required to provide information regarding the marriage including the year it was licensed, the name of the persons on the record and a cash or money order payment of $7. Mail requests must also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope. All requests are to be made to:
Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court
217 N. 27th Street,
Rms 702, 703 & 704
P.O. Box 35030
Billings, MT 59107
Where and How to Get Birth and Death Records
The Yellowstone County Clerk & Recorders office processes requests for birth and death records of county residents. As per Montana state laws, birth records can only be accessed by the registrant, their immediate family relatives, and persons legally authorized by the registrant or a court subpoena. Death records, on the other hand, can be requested by persons with reasonable intent, who can establish their identity.
Requests can be made by completing a Birth Certificate Request Form or a Death Certificate Request Form. Completed applications should be sent along with the fees indicated on the form and the stated ID requirements, and sent to:
Yellowstone County Clerk And Recorder
P.O. Box 35001
Billings, Mt 59107
Phone: (406) 256-2785
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Yellowstone County?
Under the Montana Public Records Act, property records in Yellowstone County are considered public and therefore open for public inspection. All persons are free to submit official requests to record custodians to inspect records or obtain copies as desired.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Yellowstone County
The Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's Office records and maintains property records and issues copies to interested persons in compliance with the Montana Public Records Act. Some property records kept at the Clerk's Office include deeds, liens, mortgages, and subdivision plats. The first page of each property record costs a copy fee of $0.50 plus $0.25 for each additional page of the same document. Each certified copy costs an extra $2 certification charge plus copy fees. Requestors may submit mail or in-person requests using the addresses below:
Physical Address
Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's Office
Stillwater Building
Third Floor
316 North 26th
Room 3501
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 256-2785
Fax: (406) 256-2736
Mailing Address
Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's Office
P.O. Box 35001
Billings, MT 59107
Interested parties can also obtain copies of desired property records from the Montana Department of Revenue. Through its Property Assessment Division, the Department of Revenue appraises all properties in Montana, completing this task using county field offices across the state. Requestors can access property records by contacting the field office in the county.
Montana Department of Revenue – Yellowstone County Field Office
175 North 27th Street
Suite 1400
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 896-4000
Email: dorprop3a@mt.gov
How to Look Up Yellowstone County Property Records
The Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains a Document Search function for online access to Yellowstone County property records. Interested persons may use the platform's public login or create accounts. Although the Clerk and Recorder's Office does not charge fees for searching and viewing online records, only registered users can purchase images displayed on the image viewing screen. Individual purchases cost $2 for each document's first page and $0.25 per additional page. The platform also offers an annual subscription plan for $100, allowing unlimited searches, views, and downloads.
Users may conduct basic or advanced searches by providing a document number, recording date range, names, book and page numbers, grantor and grantee names, subdivision details, among other details.
Alternatively, individuals can find records using the Tax and Assessment Data Search provided by the Yellowstone County Treasurer. Residents can search by property tax ID, street address, property owner, legal address, and geo code.
Location of Yellowstone County Property Assessor
Montana Department of Revenue – Yellowstone County Field Office
175 North 27th Street
Suite 1400
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 896-4000
Email: dorprop3a@mt.gov
