Divorce records in Yellowstone County, Montana, are available through several channels. YellowstoneCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorces in this county. Additionally, complete court records are maintained by the Clerk of District Court, and documents can also be searched through the Clerk & Recorder's office of the county and through the Office of Vital Records of the state of Montana. Below is a practical guide on searching, obtaining copies, and service costs.
Yellowstone Divorce Records Search
In Montana, divorce cases (dissolution of marriage) are handled by the District Court. Yellowstone County is part of the 13th Judicial District, and all case materials—from the complaint to the final decree—are kept by the Clerk of District Court's office in the courthouse in Billings.
The collection of court records includes:
- Decrees of Dissolution
- Property and alimony agreements
- Child custody decisions
- Related motions and court orders
The Office of Vital Records at DPHHS maintains a separate registry and issues divorce certificates—short documents that confirm the fact of marriage dissolution. These certificates do not contain details of property agreements or custody terms.
For online court case searches, use the Montana District Court Public Access Portal. The portal allows you to find a case by party name or case number.
Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Yellowstone
When a couple files for divorce in Yellowstone County, the case is registered in the District Court of the 13th Judicial District. Once a judge signs the decree, the original remains with the Clerk of District Court—this office is the primary keeper of the complete court file.
Separate from the court case, there is an administrative record in the state registry. The court notifies the Office of Vital Records of each divorce, and this office forms a certificate. Which institution to choose depends on the purpose of the request:
- Complete court file (decree, property agreement, custody decision) — contact the Clerk of District Court.
- Divorce certificate for marital status confirmation — order from Vital Records.
Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court
Montana Office of Vital Records
The Clerk & Recorder office of Yellowstone County maintains land, property, and some other public documents, but divorce court cases are not within its jurisdiction. To search for recorded county documents, you can use the online document search system.
Forms for self-filing for divorce in Montana are available on the Divorce, Dissolution, Legal Separation, Annulment page on the Montana Judicial Branch website.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Yellowstone
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (first page) | $2.00 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Each additional page of the copy | $0.25 | — |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of District Court) | $2.00 for the first page + $0.25 for each subsequent page + certification fee | 5–10 business days |
| Divorce certificate (Vital Records, standard request) | $12.00 | 2–4 weeks |
| Divorce certificate (Vital Records, expedited request) | $24.00 | 1–2 weeks |