Criminal records in Gallatin County, Montana, can be accessed through several channels. GallatinCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Montana state court system, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court, and the Montana Department of Justice. Each source offers different record types and levels of detail depending on the nature of the request.
How to Search Criminal Records in Gallatin County
There are multiple ways to look up criminal records in Gallatin County. The method you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Searches
- GallatinCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information tied to Gallatin County criminal cases.
- Montana Public Access Portals — Montana is transitioning courts to a centralized case management system. The District Court Public Access Portal and the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal allow searches by name or case number for courts that have migrated to the new system.
- FullCourt Enterprise Portal — This portal provides online access to court records and calendars for participating Montana courts, including district courts in the 18th Judicial District (Gallatin County).
- Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search — Search for convicted felons currently or previously under state supervision.
- Sexual or Violent Offender Registry — The Montana Department of Justice maintains this registry with search options by name, city, county, or zip code.
- Gallatin County Sheriff's Office Warrant List — A publicly posted PDF listing active warrants issued in Gallatin County.
In Person
- Visit the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court at the Gallatin County Law and Justice Center in Bozeman. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups.
- The Montana Judicial Branch website has a court locator to confirm hours and contact information for the 18th Judicial District Court.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court specifying the individual's full name, date of birth (if known), and the type of record sought.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to the Montana Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. Fingerprint-based background checks are available for authorized requesters.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended for accuracy)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range or year of the case
Search Gallatin County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Montana district courts use a standardized case number format:
- Court designation — A prefix identifying the court type (e.g., "DC" for District Court, "JV" for Justice Court).
- Year — A two- or four-digit year indicating when the case was filed.
- Sequential number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed within that court and year.
For example, a case number like DC-2024-00123 would indicate a District Court case filed in 2024. Enter the full case number into the Montana Public Access Portal or FullCourt Enterprise to pull up case details, including charges, hearing dates, and disposition.
If you only have a partial case number, try searching by the defendant's name to locate the correct filing.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Gallatin County
Criminal case records in Gallatin County typically contain the following data points:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Montana Code Annotated (MCA) section the defendant is charged under (e.g., 45-5-102 for deliberate homicide) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Original vs. amended charges | Charges may be amended through plea negotiations or at the prosecutor's discretion |
| Count number | Each separate offense is listed as a distinct count |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing (hearings scheduled, motions pending)
- Disposed — A final judgment or order has been entered
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; case is administratively closed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Initial court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing — For felonies; the court determines whether probable cause exists
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case management, possible plea agreements
- Sentencing — Judge imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — Follow-up to monitor compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or trial
- Not guilty — Acquittal at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution
- Withheld judgment — Under Montana law (MCA § 46-18-204), the court defers entry of judgment; if conditions are met, the charge may be dismissed
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial on the merits
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Gallatin County
Certified copies of criminal case records are available from the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court. These are official copies bearing the court seal, suitable for legal proceedings, employment verification, or other formal purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk of District Court office at the Law and Justice Center.
- By mail — Send a written request with the defendant's full name, case number (if available), date of birth, and a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Statewide criminal history — Contact the Montana Department of Justice for name-based or fingerprint-based background checks.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- If requesting your own record, you may need to provide your full name, date of birth, and Social Security number
- Third-party requests for criminal history through the DOJ may require a signed release from the subject
Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
Montana Department of Justice — Background Checks
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Gallatin County
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks vary depending on the type of request and the issuing agency.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document copy (per page) | $0.50 | Gallatin County Clerk of District Court; per MCA § 25-1-1104 |
| Certified copy | $2.00 per document (first page), $0.50 each additional page | Clerk of District Court certification fee |
| Name-based criminal history (public) | $10.00 | Montana DOJ, Division of Criminal Investigation |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $25.00 (state) + FBI fee if applicable | Montana DOJ; fee may vary by purpose |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Copies are often available the same day or within 1–2 business days at the Clerk of District Court office.
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing.
- DOJ background checks — Name-based checks typically take 3–5 business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take 2–4 weeks depending on volume.
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's office generally include cash, check, and money order. Confirm current accepted payment types by calling ahead. DOJ requests typically require a check or money order payable to the Montana Department of Justice.