Yellowstone County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Yellowstone County?

Public records in Yellowstone County are defined according to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1002(13) as "any paper, correspondence, form, book, photograph, microfilm, magnetic tape, computer storage media, map, drawing, or other document, including all copies, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that has been made or received by a state agency in connection with the transaction of official business and preserved for informational value or as evidence of a transaction." These records document the business of government and are maintained by various county offices.

Yellowstone County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
Voting and election records
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning records

The Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including property records, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and county commission records. Court records are maintained by the Yellowstone County District Court and Justice Courts. Property tax records are managed by the Yellowstone County Treasurer's Office.

Is Yellowstone County an Open Records County?

Yellowstone County adheres to Montana's open records laws as established in the Montana Constitution Article II, Section 9, which states: "No person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions, except in cases in which the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure."

This constitutional right is further implemented through the Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1003, which provides that "every person has a right to examine and obtain a copy of any public information of this state." The law establishes a presumption of openness, requiring that government records be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

Yellowstone County has implemented these state requirements through its records management policies. The county maintains a commitment to transparency while balancing privacy concerns as required by state law. County offices follow standardized procedures for processing public records requests in accordance with state statutes.

How to Find Public Records in Yellowstone County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Yellowstone County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain documents. The appropriate procedure depends on the type of record sought:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:
- Property records can be searched through the Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's online document search
- Property tax information is accessible via the Treasurer's Property Tax Search
- Court records may be searched through the Montana Courts Public Access Portal
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For property records, marriage licenses, and county commission records, visit the Clerk and Recorder's Office
- For court records, visit the Clerk of District Court or Justice Court
- For tax records, visit the Treasurer's Office
Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
- Date range of records, if applicable
Specialized Searches: For specific record types:
- Criminal history information may be requested through the Montana Department of Justice
- Vital records (birth/death certificates) requests require proper identification and may have additional requirements

When requesting records, individuals should be as specific as possible about the information sought to facilitate prompt processing of the request.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Yellowstone County?

Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, government agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing public records. Yellowstone County has established the following fee structure for public records:

Document copies: $0.50 per page for standard paper copies
Certified copies: Additional $2.00 certification fee per document
Electronic document search and retrieval: $2.00 for the first page of a document and $0.25 for each additional page when purchasing documents individually
Subscription service: Annual subscription fees are available for frequent users of the document search system
Research fees: $20.00 per hour may apply for requests requiring extensive staff time (typically after the first half-hour)

Specific record types may have statutorily set fees:

Birth certificates: $12.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Death certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Marriage licenses: $53.00 application fee
Certified copies of marriage certificates: $10.00 per copy

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee) for in-person requests. Online requests typically require credit/debit card payment.

The county may waive fees when the request is determined to primarily benefit the general public and involves minimal cost to the agency, as permitted under state law.

Does Yellowstone County Have Free Public Records?

Yellowstone County provides free public access to certain records as required by Montana law. Under Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, agencies must provide for the free inspection of public records during regular office hours.

The following records are available for free inspection:

County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
Public notices and announcements
Budget documents and financial reports
Property ownership records (viewing only)
Voter registration information (with certain limitations)
Court dockets and calendars

Additionally, several online resources provide free access to public information:

The Yellowstone County website offers free access to various county information
The Montana Secretary of State's Records Management portal provides access to certain state-level records
The Montana Offender Search allows free searches for convicted felons in the state

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or records requiring extensive research or processing time. Members of the public are encouraged to contact the specific county department in advance to confirm availability and any applicable fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Yellowstone County?

Under Montana's public records laws, any person may request access to public records maintained by Yellowstone County. The Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1003 establishes that "every person has a right to examine and obtain a copy of any public information of this state."

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency: Montana law does not restrict public records access to state residents; non-residents have the same rights to access public records
Identification: While basic identification may be required to process certain requests, requestors generally do not need to provide extensive personal information
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose or reason for most record requests
Format: Requests may be made in person, by mail, by email, or through online portals depending on the record type

Special considerations apply to certain record types:

Vital records (birth/death certificates): Access is restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest
Adoption records: Access is highly restricted by Montana Code Annotated § 42-6-109
Juvenile court records: Access is limited by statute to protect minors' privacy
Medical records: Protected under federal HIPAA regulations and state privacy laws

Government agencies, including Yellowstone County departments, must respond to all valid public records requests regardless of who makes them, subject only to statutory exemptions.

What Records Are Confidential in Yellowstone County?

While Montana law establishes a presumption of openness for government records, certain records are confidential under state and federal laws. The Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1002(1) defines confidential information as "information that is accorded confidential status or is prohibited from disclosure as provided by applicable law."

Records exempt from public disclosure in Yellowstone County include:

Personal information protected under Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1502, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Medical information
Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
Adoption records and proceedings
Child abuse and neglect records
Mental health commitment proceedings
Criminal investigative information if release would:
- Interfere with ongoing investigations
- Deprive a person of a fair trial
- Constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Reveal confidential sources or investigative techniques
Personnel records containing private information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information
Attorney-client privileged communications
Records specifically exempted by other state or federal laws

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality notes that when determining whether to release records, agencies must balance the public's right to know against individual privacy rights as required by the Montana Constitution.

When a record contains both public and confidential information, county officials will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record when possible.

Yellowstone County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's Office
217 N 27th Street, Room 305
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2783
Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided: