Court records in Yellowstone County, Montana, are maintained by the Clerk of the District Court and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the office. YellowstoneCourt.us will help you find publicly available information about court cases. Additional sources include the Montana Public Access Portal, the Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court Office, and other state government resources.
Yellowstone Court System Overview
Yellowstone County is part of the 13th Judicial District of the state of Montana. The District Court is located in the courthouse in the city of Billings, the county seat. The court has general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases, as well as family law, probate, and juvenile proceedings.
In addition to the District Court, residents of the county are served by the Yellowstone County Justice Court, which is a court of limited jurisdiction. This court is divided into criminal, civil, and small claims divisions. The Billings Municipal Court also handles cases related to city ordinances.
Courts Serving Yellowstone
Residents of the county have access to several judicial institutions of various levels of jurisdiction:
Yellowstone County District Court (13th Judicial District)
Yellowstone County Justice Court
Billings Municipal Court
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana — Billings Division
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Montana
What Types of Cases Yellowstone Courts Hear
Yellowstone County courts hear a wide range of cases. The District Court has general jurisdiction, while the Justice Court and Municipal Court handle limited jurisdiction cases.
- Criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations
- Civil cases: claims of any amount (District Court) and claims up to a specified limit (Justice Court)
- Small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support, protective orders
- Probate cases: inheritance, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile cases and child protection cases
- Adoptions
- DUI and other traffic offenses
District Court Cases in Yellowstone
The District Court of the 13th Judicial District hears felonies after a preliminary hearing in a court of limited jurisdiction, civil cases exceeding the jurisdictional limit of the Justice Court, appeals from the Justice Court and Municipal Court, and post-conviction proceedings. Family law, probate, and juvenile proceedings are also within the competence of the District Court.
A criminal case is initiated by the prosecutor by filing information or an indictment. Cases are assigned to District Court judges. The Clerk of District Court maintains a register of all cases, processes documents, and issues copies of court decisions. Civil cases begin with the filing of a complaint and payment of a fee.
Magistrate Court Cases in Yellowstone
In Montana, courts of limited jurisdiction include Justice Courts and municipal courts. The Yellowstone County Justice Court handles misdemeanors, infractions, preliminary hearings in felony cases, civil claims up to $15,000, small claims up to $7,000, traffic violations, and DUI hearings.
The court is divided into three divisions: criminal, civil, and small claims. Due to the high volume of cases — Billings is the largest city in Montana — judges often have to specialize in specific categories. The Billings Municipal Court handles violations of city ordinances, traffic cases, and arrest warrants within the city.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Yellowstone
Family Law. Divorce, custody determination, child support, paternity, protective orders, and termination of parental rights are all handled by the District Court. Forms for filing for divorce are available on the Montana Judicial Branch page. Parties may represent themselves using self-help resources.
Probate Cases. The District Court also conducts proceedings regarding the estates of deceased persons, the appointment of guardians and conservators, and cases related to trust management. Filing begins at the Clerk of District Court office.
Juvenile Cases. Cases under the Juvenile Corrections Act and Child Protective Act are heard by the District Court. Juvenile proceedings records are confidential under Montana law. In addition to the court, the county has a Youth Services Center that coordinates work with minors.
How Cases Move Through the Yellowstone Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case is started by the prosecutor filing a complaint or information. A civil case is initiated by the plaintiff filing a complaint. Family and probate cases begin with a petition.
- Judge Assignment. The Clerk of District Court assigns the case to a specific judge according to the court's internal rules.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases — arraignment (presentation of charges). In civil cases — planning conference.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations are possible.
- Trial or Resolution. The case may end with a trial (with or without a jury), a settlement, a guilty plea, or a default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing in criminal cases, filing an appeal to the Montana Supreme Court, enforcing the judgment in civil cases.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Yellowstone
The courts of the 13th Judicial District are administered by the administrative district judge and court administrator. Local court rules are published on the Montana Judicial Branch website, where information about a specific judicial district can be found.
The Montana Constitution guarantees the public's right to access public records. Most court cases are open, except for juvenile proceedings, adoption cases, sealed cases, and records protected by court order. To obtain confidential criminal information (CCJI), you must file a petition with the District Court to obtain a court order.
Hearings are usually open to the public. Some proceedings are conducted remotely — check with the Clerk's office or the court portal to see if remote access is available for a specific hearing.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Yellowstone
- Online Case Search. The Montana District Court Public Access Portal allows you to search District Court cases by party name or case number. For courts of limited jurisdiction, there is a separate portal.
- Copies of Court Documents. The Clerk of District Court issues certified and uncertified copies of documents for a set fee.
- Clerk & Recorder Records. The online document search allows you to find records of real estate, marriages, and other registered documents. The cost is $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page.
- Inmate Search. The Yellowstone County Detention Facility Search Tool shows individuals currently in custody by name or date of detention.
- State Offender Search. The Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search allows you to find information about state-level felony offenders.
- Arrest Warrants. Information about warrants in the city of Billings and Yellowstone County can be checked on the Billings Warrants page.
- Vital Records. Birth and death certificates are issued by the Montana Office of Vital Records. The county Clerk & Recorder also maintains local birth and death records.
- Property Tax Records Search. The Yellowstone County Treasurer provides an online tool for searching property assessment and tax information.
- Sheriff's Office. The Yellowstone County Sheriff accepts requests for records and crime reports at 406-657-8200.
- Forms and Self-Help Resources. Court forms for family cases, divorces, and other proceedings are available on the Montana Judicial Branch website.