Court records in Gallatin County, Montana can be searched through several channels. GallatinCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through official state court portals, the Clerk of District Court's office in Bozeman, and public-access terminals located at the courthouse. The Montana Public Access Portals and the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court are the primary official sources for docket information.
Gallatin County Court System & Jurisdictions
Gallatin County sits within Montana's 18th Judicial District. Several courts operate in the county, each handling different case types.
18th Judicial District Court
This is the general-jurisdiction trial court for Gallatin County. It hears:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases (including those exceeding the small claims limit)
- Family law matters — divorce, parenting plans, custody modifications, protective orders
- Probate and estate proceedings
- Juvenile cases
- Appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction
The District Court Clerk's office maintains all records for these case types. Use the Montana Judicial Branch website to locate contact details and operating hours for the 18th Judicial District Court.
Gallatin County Justice Court
Montana's Justice Courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. In Gallatin County, the Justice Court handles:
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses
- Traffic and minor motor vehicle violations
- Civil disputes up to $15,000
- Small claims cases up to $7,000
- Orders of protection (initial filings)
City Courts
Bozeman City Court and Belgrade City Court handle municipal ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and misdemeanors occurring within their respective city limits. The Belgrade Police Department also publishes an active warrants list for cases originating in that jurisdiction.
If you are unsure which court handled a particular case, start by searching the statewide portals or contact the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court.
Gallatin County Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Gallatin County can be accessed through Montana's centralized online portals.
- District Court hearings — The Montana District Court Public Access Portal provides online access to court calendars and scheduled hearings. Search by party name or case number to find upcoming dates.
- Justice Court and City Court hearings — As Montana courts transition to a centralized case management system, schedules for courts of limited jurisdiction are becoming available through the Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal. Availability may vary; contact the court directly if online results are incomplete.
- In-person access — Public terminals at the Gallatin County Courthouse in Bozeman display current and upcoming hearing schedules. You can also call the Clerk of District Court to confirm a specific hearing date and time.
Calendars typically show the case number, party names, hearing type, assigned judge, courtroom, and scheduled time. Same-day changes (continuances, cancellations) may not always be reflected immediately online.
How to Get a Copy of a Gallatin County Court Document
You can obtain copies of most Gallatin County court documents online, in person, or by mail. The process depends on whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies — Standard photocopies of filed documents, suitable for personal reference. These can often be printed from online portal results or requested at the clerk's window.
- Certified copies — Bear the clerk's official seal and signature, confirming the document is a true copy of the court record. Required for most legal proceedings, background checks, and filings in other jurisdictions.
How to Request
- Online — Search for your case through the District Court Public Access Portal. Some documents can be viewed or printed directly. For certified copies, you will generally need to contact the clerk's office.
- In person — Visit the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court at the courthouse. Bring the case number or party names to help staff locate the file. Payment is accepted at the counter.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the case number (if known), party names, the specific document(s) needed, whether you need certified or uncertified copies, and a return address. Include payment by check or money order payable to "Gallatin County Clerk of District Court."
Mail requests to:
Certain records are restricted from public access, including sealed cases, juvenile proceedings, and some mental health or adoption files. The clerk's office can advise whether a specific document is available.
Gallatin County Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in Montana are set by statute (MCA § 25-1-201 et seq.) and may be supplemented by local administrative orders. The following table reflects common fee amounts. Confirm current fees with the Clerk of District Court, as amounts may be updated periodically.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page, uncertified) | $0.50 |
| Certification of document | $2.00 per document |
| Search fee (per name/case lookup by clerk) | $2.00 |
| Exemplified copy (with additional authentication) | Varies — contact clerk |
| Appeal preparation / record on appeal | Varies by record length |
Payment Methods
- In person — Cash, check, or money order. Some clerk's offices accept credit or debit cards; ask at the window.
- By mail — Check or money order payable to "Gallatin County Clerk of District Court."
- Online — Fees for electronic access through state portals may differ. The Montana Public Access Portal does not currently charge a per-search fee for basic case information, but printing or requesting certified copies may involve additional costs.
For statewide criminal background checks, the Montana Department of Justice processes requests separately and maintains its own fee schedule. The Montana Department of Corrections offender search is available online at no cost for basic lookups of convicted felons.
If you need records from the Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder's office — such as recorded real estate documents, liens, or other instruments — those are searchable through the Gallatin County Clerk-Recorder document search and carry their own fee schedule.
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