Divorce records in Gallatin County, Montana, can be accessed through several channels. GallatinCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information. You can also obtain records directly from the district court that issued the decree, the Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder, or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Vital Records Office. The method you use depends on whether you need the full court file or a vital records certificate.
Gallatin Divorce Records Search
Gallatin County divorce records are maintained by two primary offices. The Eighteenth Judicial District Court, which serves Gallatin County, keeps the complete court file for every divorce case — including the petition, decree, settlement agreements, parenting plans, custody orders, and related filings. The Montana DPHHS Vital Records Office maintains a statewide index of divorce certificates dating back to 1943.
You can search for Gallatin County district court case information through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal. This online tool allows you to look up case numbers, parties, and filing dates. For the full case file, including copies of the decree and supporting documents, contact the Clerk of District Court in Gallatin County directly.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Gallatin
In Montana, divorce cases (formally called dissolutions of marriage) are handled exclusively by the district courts. In Gallatin County, that means the Eighteenth Judicial District Court in Bozeman. When a judge signs the final decree, it is filed and maintained by the Clerk of District Court.
The Montana DPHHS Vital Records Office also receives a report of every divorce granted in the state. This office issues divorce verification letters and certificates — but not copies of the decree itself. Which office you contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, or other case filings — Contact the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court.
- Divorce certificate or verification letter — Contact the Montana Vital Records Office.
You can also use the Montana Supreme Court Public Access Portal to look up case information online, or visit the Montana Judicial Branch website to locate court contact details and operating hours using the Court Locator tool.
The Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder document search covers recorded real estate and other documents. Divorce decrees are generally not recorded with the Clerk and Recorder unless a property transfer or name change document references one, so start with the Clerk of District Court for divorce-specific records.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Gallatin
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Clerk of District Court) | $2.00 per page plus $2.00 certification fee | Same day to several business days if requested by mail |
| Plain copy of court document (Clerk of District Court) | $0.50 per page | Same day for in-person requests |
| Divorce certificate (Montana Vital Records Office) | $12.00 | 2–6 weeks by mail |
| Divorce verification letter (Montana Vital Records Office) | $12.00 | 2–6 weeks by mail |
| Online court case search (Montana Public Access Portal) | Free | Immediate |