What Are Billings City Public Records?
Billings City public records consist of non-confidential information generated by government agencies during the course of business. Billings City public records may take the form of handwritten notes, typed-out documents, electronic recordings among others. Not all government-generated documents are public records. Documents restricted from public view may include:
- Private writings;
- Telephone messages;
- Routing slips;
- Preliminary drafts;
- Photocopies of bulletins and correspondence prepared for reference or information;
- Notices and memoranda that do not relate to the agency’s functions or responsibilities (employee meetings, community notices, holidays, etc.;
- Transcribed shorthand notes, steno-tapes, and recordings;
- Adoption files;
- Personnel records
Billings City Crime Statistics
The Billings City Police department keeps a record of all calls for assistance and responses, crimes, and arrests that local officers make. The department makes all these records available in an annual report that interested persons can access online. It also summarizes and sends its reports to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for inclusion in the Bureau’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In 2018, Billings City recorded 598 violent crimes and 5276 property crimes among its 110,397 residents. There were eight murders, fifty-four rape cases, 108 robberies, and 438 cases of aggravated assault. Property crimes were more recurrent, and there were 685 burglaries, 3,796 cases of larceny-theft, 795 vehicular thefts, and sixteen arson cases. The following year, the number of reported property crimes declined by 14.7%, even though the city’s population decreased only by 0.18%. Burglaries reduced by 11.2%, while larceny-theft declined by 13.9%. Similarly, vehicular theft dropped by 21.3% and arson by 6.25%. Violent crimes, however, increased somewhat. Reported rape cases increased by 38.8%, while aggravated assaults grew by 16.5%.
Are Billings City Criminal Records Public?
According to the Montana Code Annotated 44-5-301, all criminal justice information which a department or agency creates is open to the public. Interested persons may obtain criminal records from the office of the local custodian.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Interested persons can order Billings City Police Reports through an online, third-party provider. Individuals interested in obtaining police reports in person must visit the Billings City Attorney's Office to gain approval for the report’s release. Only one of the parties involved in the incident may request a report and provide proper identification to prove eligibility.
Billings City Attorney
210 N. 27th St.
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 657-8205
Fax: (406) 657-3067
Once the requester receives the City Attorney’s approval, they must go to the Billings City Police Department service window during the following hours:
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Billings Police Department
220 North 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 657-8460
Statewide, interested persons can access arrest and criminal records through Montana’s Criminal History Online Public Record Search. Each record request costs $20.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Billings City
In Billings City, local law enforcement agencies such as the police, courts, or correctional facilities register convicted sexual or violent sex offenders and send their details to the Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registration Unit. The Unit makes these details publicly available on its Sexual or Violent Offender Registry. Interested persons can perform a basic offender search using the offender’s last name, the city or county they live in, the sex offender tier they fall under, and their compliance status. Researchers can also locate sex offenders by looking through an address. To do this, researchers may input a particular street address and search within a precise radius of that address to find offenders. The Registry also provides a mapping function, allowing interested persons to look through a curated map to find offenders on it.
How to Find Billings City Inmate Records
The Yellowstone County Detention Center maintains an active record of inmates and makes that information available via its inmate Search page. Interested persons can also call the Detention Facility on (406) 256-6881. Statewide, the Montana Department of Corrections allows interested persons to find Billings City inmate records by querying its Offender Search page. The public can search for incarcerated persons using their Department of Corrections I.D. number or their first and last name.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Billings City Jail?
Individuals arrested in Billings City serve time in the Yellowstone County Detention Center. The Center allows friends and family to visit inmates from Tuesday through Saturday between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Inmates housed in different units are allowed visitors according to each unit’s visiting day listed on this schedule. Visitors must arrive by 3:30 p.m. to sign in. All visitors must present a picture ID to gain entry. Children without ID must visit only in a parent or legal guardian’s company. Visitors are not allowed to bring any of the following into the facility lobby:
- Food
- Any kind of drink
- Chewing gum
- Cigarettes
- Tobacco
- Drugs of any kind
- Mobile devices
Visitors must wear clothes that are comfortable but conservative. The facility will not permit entry to visitors wearing any of the following:
- Jeggings or leotards
- Sundresses
- Ripped jeans
- Miniskirts or short-shorts
- Bikinis
- Skinny jeans
- T-shirts bearing gang signs or offensive print
Billings City Court Records
Billings City falls under Yellowstone County’s jurisdiction, which houses a District Court, one Justice Court, a City Court, and a Municipal Court. Together, these courts deal with misdemeanor offenses, civil cases, criminal cases, juvenile cases, disputes between landlords and tenants, forcible entry and detainer, protection orders, and other matters.
Location of Courts in Billings City
Yellowstone County District Court
Yellowstone County Courthouse
217 North 27th Street,
P.O. Box 35030,
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: (406) 256-2851 (Civil)
Fax: (406) 256-2995 (Probate)
Phone: (406) 256-2865 (Probate)
Fax: (406) 256-2995 (Probate)
Phone: (406) 256-2860 (Criminal)
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
Billings Municipal Court
220 North 27th Street,
P.O. Box 1178, Billings, MT 59103
Phone: (406) 657-8490
Fax: (406) 657-3075
Are Billings City Court Records Public?
According to Montana’s Open Records laws, public members are permitted to view Billings City court records. Court records are only exempted from public view if the court determines that their disclosure could be detrimental to a person who is a subject of information contained in the records.
Can You Look Up a Billings City Court Case Online?
Access to Billings City court cases is not available online. Individuals that require access to Billings City court records may obtain them by sending an email to the court clerk or visiting the courthouse and submitting a request to the clerk in person.
How to Obtain Billings City Civil Court Case Records
The public can obtain Billings City civil court case records by querying the Billings City Municipal Court clerk. Requesters may fill a Public Record Request form and email it to smithb@ci.billings.mt.us or submit it in person to the Municipal Court.
Billings Municipal Court
220 North 27th Street,
P.O. Box 1178, Billings, MT 59103
Phone: (406) 657-8490
Fax: (406) 657-3075
How to Obtain Billings City Criminal Court Records
The Yellowstone County District Court handles felony issues in Billings City. The public can request Billings City criminal court records by sending an email to the Records Department. Requesters must describe the court record as accurately as possible, including the defendant’s name and date of birth, and the case number. Individuals can also request copies of criminal records by visiting the courthouse in person between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Yellowstone County District Court
Yellowstone County Courthouse
217 North 27th Street,
P.O. Box 35030,
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: (406) 256-2860 (Criminal)
Fax: (406) 256-2995 (Criminal)
Searching for court records costs $2 per name per year for up to seven years and $1 per name for each additional year. Copying records costs $1 per page for the first ten pages and fifty cents per additional page. Certifying a court document costs $2 per copy.
What are Billings City Vital Records?
Billings City vital records refer to recorded documents consisting of life events among the city’s residents, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. Copies of vital records are available at the custodian’s offices. However, some custodians may provide records only to eligible requesters.
Where and How to Obtain Billings City Divorce Records
The Yellowstone County District Court administers divorces in the county and provides copies of Billings City divorce decrees. Individuals that wish to obtain certified copies of Billings City divorce records may visit the Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court in Room 702 of the Yellowstone County Courthouse. Requesters must provide the names of the divorced couple and the divorce date. Certified copies of marital dissolution decrees cost $10 per copy.
Yellowstone County District Clerk of Courts
Yellowstone County Courthouse
217 North 27th Street,
P.O. Box 35030,
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: (406) 256-2851
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Billings City
The Yellowstone County District Court handles the county’s marriage register and offers copies of Billings City marriage certificates. Certificates for marriages within the past thirty years are not open to the public and are open only to the following people:
- The couple
- The couple’s immediate family members
- The couple’s legal representatives
Eligible persons may obtain copies of Billings City marriage records by visiting the District Clerk of Court’s office between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Requesters must provide proof of eligibility and pay $5 for a copy or $7 for a certified copy. For mail-in requests, applicants must write a request letter containing:
- The year the license was issued;
- The names of the couple (with the bride’s maiden name);
- A self-addressed stamped envelope;
- A valid replica of a current photo ID;
- Payment in the form of a money order or cashier’s check
Where and How to Get Public Marriage Records in Billings City
The Yellowstone County District Court handles the county’s marriage register and offers copies of Billings City marriage certificates. Certificates for marriages older than thirty years are open to the public.
Interested persons may obtain copies of Billings City marriage records by visiting the District Clerk of Court’s office between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Requesters must pay $5 for a copy or $7 for a certified copy. For mail-in requests, applicants must write a request letter containing:
- The year the license was issued
- The names of the couple (with the bride’s maiden name)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- Payment in the form of a money order or cashier’s check
Where and How to Find Billings City Birth Records
The Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder’s Office maintains the county’s birth register and provides certified copies of Billings City birth certificates only to eligible persons, including:
- The registrant (14 years old or older);
- The registrant’s spouse, children (with proof of relationship), parents, grandparents (with evidence of relationship);
- A caretaker relative, guardian, or an authorized representative
The public can access informal copies of birth certificates older than thirty years old. Eligible and interested persons can obtain copies of Billings City birth certificates by filling out a birth certificate request form, including proof of eligibility (for certified copies), payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and mailing the complete package to:
Yellowstone County Clerk & Recorder
P.O. Box 35001
Billings, MT 59107
Certified copies of Billings City birth certificates cost $8 per copy, while informal certificates cost $1 per copy.
Where and How to Find Billings City Death Records
The Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder’s Office maintains the county’s death register and provides certified copies of Billings City death certificates only to persons who submit a completed application, provide a valid photo ID, and lists the reason for needing the copy.
The public can access informal copies of death certificates older than thirty years old without providing ID or stating the reason for requesting. Individuals can also obtain copies of Billings City death certificates by filling out a death certificate request form, including identification and a statement of need (for certified copies), payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and mailing the complete package to:
Yellowstone County Clerk & Recorder
P.O. Box 35001
Billings, MT 59107
Certified copies of Billings City death certificates cost $5 per copy, while informal certificates cost $1 per copy.
