Montana became the 41st state in the U.S. on November 8, 1889. With just under one million residents, it ranks 44th in population, yet is the 4th largest state by land area, spanning more than 145,000 square miles. The state is divided into 56 counties, including two consolidated city-counties, which serve as local governments with elected officials and public agencies providing essential services to residents.
All state and local government entities in Montana are governed by the Montana Public Records Act, which falls under the broader Freedom of Information statutes. These laws guarantee public access to:
Government records
Public contracts
Meeting transcripts
Budget reports
Planning documents and agency operations
Anyone—resident or nonresident—can request access to public records without having to state a reason. However, certain exemptions apply, and denials must comply with specific legal standards outlined in the statute.
Montana public records are frequently requested for personal, legal, and business purposes, including:
Employment background checks
Real estate research
Legal investigations
Professional license verification
A key part of many background searches is a criminal record check, which can be obtained through the Montana Department of Justice. Publicly accessible criminal history includes:
Felony and misdemeanor convictions
Arrests and detentions
Charges and sentencing
Other records from law enforcement and judicial agencies
Montana offers a range of additional public records and services, including:
Property Records
Access parcel and land ownership details for free using the official Montana government parcel search tool. Information includes property addresses, owner names, and legal land descriptions.
Driving Records
Obtain a driver's history and license status from the Motor Vehicle Division of the Montana Department of Justice.
Professional License Verification
Use the Montana Department of Labor and Industry to confirm the licensing status of professionals such as contractors, accountants, and healthcare providers.
Business Entity Searches
The Montana Secretary of State offers a searchable database of business entities, showing registration status, officers, and corporate filings.
Court Records
The Montana Judicial System provides access to court documents including:
Criminal and civil case filings
Divorce decrees
Lawsuits, judgments, and trial outcomes
Vital Records
Request certified birth and death certificates through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, which accepts online applications.
People and Address Searches
Perform people searches to find current and past addresses, phone numbers, aliases, and other identifying information—even for individuals outside of Montana.
Public Safety Tools
Access offender registries, most wanted lists, and other law enforcement databases for community safety.
Although Montana government agencies maintain many types of public records, the locations and processes for accessing them are not always well-publicized. As a result, individuals unfamiliar with state procedures may find it difficult to locate the right departments or tools.
Using a centralized resource like PublicRecordCenter can simplify the process by providing:
A curated list of the most up-to-date government sources
Descriptions of available record types
Instructions and links for submitting requests
Free access to many searchable databases
Whether you're searching for a single record or conducting an in-depth background investigation, having access to accurate, official resources can save time and ensure reliable results.
