About Public Records in Montana

• General Jurisdiction / Upper Courts


• District Courts - one or more courts in each Montana county. These courts handle the following case types:
• Civil - torts, contracts, and real property rights.
• Mental health.
• Estates.
• Criminal felony and misdemeanor.
• Juvenile .


• Limited Jurisdiction / Lower Courts


• Justice of the Peace Courts - 66 courts.
• Civil - torts, contracts, and real property rights for claims to $7,000.
• Small claims to $3,000.
• Criminal misdemeanor, drunk driving.
• Traffic.
• Ordinance violations.
• Domestic violence.
• Preliminary hearings.


• Municipal Courts - 5 courts.
• Civil - torts, contracts, and real property rights for claims to $7,000.
• Small claims to $3,000.
• Criminal misdemeanor, drunk driving.
• Traffic.
• Ordinance violations.
• Domestic violence.


• City Courts - 81 courts.
• Civil - torts, contracts, and real property rights for claims to $7,000.
• Small claims to $3,000.
• Criminal misdemeanor, drunk driving.
• Traffic.
• Ordinance violations.
• Domestic violence.
• Preliminary hearings.


• Probate Courts - 39 towns/cities. These courts handle the following case types:
• Estates.


• Traffic Tribunal -
• Traffic.

Montana real and personal property tax records are kept by the County Assessor office in each county.
 

Montana deeds and general document recording are handled by the County Clerk in each county. Records kept include deeds, mortgage documents, easements, powers of attorney, and liens.