Criminal records in Yellowstone County, Montana, are available through several channels. YellowstoneCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court portals, county law enforcement agencies — including the sheriff's office — and the Clerk of District Court. Each of these resources covers different categories of data: from current inmates to archived court cases.
How to Search Criminal Records in Yellowstone
There are several ways to find criminal records in this county. Below are step-by-step instructions for each method.
Through YellowstoneCourt.us
- Go to YellowstoneCourt.us.
- Enter the person's full name (last name and first name) or case number.
- Review the results — information about publicly available criminal cases will appear in the list.
Online through Official Portals
- Montana District Court Public Access Portal — the Montana Judicial Branch website offers a portal that allows you to search district and limited jurisdiction court cases across the state. You need to know the party's name or case number to search.
- Inmate Search in Detention Facility — the search tool on the Yellowstone County Detention Facility website shows individuals currently held in the facility. Searchable by name or booking date.
- Montana Offender Search — the Montana Department of Corrections database contains records of felony offenders at the state level.
- Arrest Warrants — information about warrants issued by the Billings Municipal Court and district court is available through the Billings city warrants page.
In Person
The Clerk of District Court at the Yellowstone County courthouse provides access to court records. You can visit during business hours and ask the clerk to find a case by name or number. The County Justice Court also handles criminal cases — misdemeanors, traffic violations — and maintains its own records.
By Mail or Written Request
A written request can be sent to the Clerk of District Court. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. To obtain state-level Criminal Criminal Justice Information (CCJI) through the Billings Police Department, you must petition the district court and obtain a court order to disclose this information.
To start a search, you typically need:
- The person's full name
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
Search Yellowstone Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in Montana have a standard format that helps identify the court, case type, and filing year. The typical structure looks like this:
- County Abbreviation — two letters representing the county (e.g., DC for District Court).
- Year — a two-digit or four-digit number indicating the year the case was opened.
- Case Type Code — a letter designation for the category. For criminal cases, "CR" (criminal), "DC" (district criminal), or other codes depending on the court are often used.
- Sequential Number — a unique numerical identifier within this type and year.
For example, a case might have a format like DV-2024-00123, where DV is the county or court code, 2024 is the year, and 00123 is the sequential number. The exact format depends on the specific court — district or limited jurisdiction. If you know the case number, enter it fully in the appropriate search field on the court portal — this is the fastest way to find the desired record.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Yellowstone
Charges
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific section of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend the initial charge — reduce the severity or add new counts during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, but no final decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a decision: sentence, dismissal, or withdrawal of charges
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, and the case is closed
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant is read the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (usually for felony).
- Pre-trial — the parties discuss procedural issues, possible plea agreements.
- Sentencing — the sentencing hearing after a guilty plea or jury decision.
- Review — review of the conditions of punishment, probation, etc.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquittal verdict |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped — the prosecutor declined to prosecute or the court dismissed the case |
| Withheld Judgment | The court postpones the sentence; if requirements (e.g., probation) are met, charges may be dropped |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Yellowstone
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court. These are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by other institutions and courts.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse. You need to know the party's name or case number. Bring a photo ID.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the full name, case number (if known), type of document needed, and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
To obtain a state-level criminal history, contact the Montana Department of Justice, which is the repository for state criminal records. A state-level background check usually requires fingerprint submission.
If you need CCJI information from Billings police, you must obtain a court order from the Yellowstone County district court.
Contact Information for the Clerk's Office
Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Yellowstone
Fees for copies and document certification are set according to the Montana Code Annotated and local rules. Below are the main rates applied by the Clerk of District Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (first page) | $2.00 |
| Each additional page | $0.25 |
| Certification | $2.00 per document (usually) |
| Document search in Clerk & Recorder database (online, individual) | $2.00 for the first page + $0.25 for each subsequent page |
| Annual subscription to Clerk & Recorder online database | Available for a separate fee (details on the county document portal) |
Processing Times
Requests submitted in person are usually processed the same day — if the document is in the electronic database. Mail requests may take 5 to 10 business days. Older cases that have not yet been digitized may require additional time for archival search.
A criminal history check through the Montana Department of Justice (with fingerprints) may take several weeks depending on workload.