Big Horn County

Big Horn County is located in south-central Montana, including approximately 5,015 square miles of diverse terrain that includes portions of the Crow Indian Reservation and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Big Horn County seat is Hardin, situated along the Little Bighorn River near the historic site of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Established in 1913, Big Horn County has a population of approximately 13,000 residents, with a significant portion of Native American heritage from the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes. Big Horn County is bordered by the Bighorn Mountains to the south and features rolling plains, river valleys, and badlands topography. Major landmarks include the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and the Tongue River. Big Horn County's economy is anchored by agriculture, ranching, tourism related to historical sites, and coal mining operations. Big Horn County Courthouse is located at 121 West 3rd Street in Hardin, Montana 59034, serving as the administrative center. Key county offices include Big Horn County Clerk and Recorder at the courthouse, Big Horn County Assessor's Office which manages property valuations and tax assessments, and Big Horn County Treasurer. Big Horn County's unique character stems from its rich Native American cultural heritage, its key role in Western expansion history, and the ongoing collaboration between tribal governments and county administration in providing services to residents across reservation and non-reservation lands.

Big Horn County Montana Court is located at 1 South Custer Avenue, Hardin, MT 59034. It is a district court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. The court has two divisions: Civil and Criminal. The court also has a Probate Division. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m.

Big Horn County Montana court jurisdiction is located in Hardin, Montana. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases arising from Big Horn County. The court is located at: this county Courthouse 1 South Custer Avenue\nHardin, MT 59034

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Citizens may request arrest records, booking reports, and incident reports by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or the appropriate municipal police department.
• Processing fees typically apply for copies of records.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through direct requests to the detention center, though Montana law does not require immediate online publication of booking photographs.
• For arrest records involving tribal law enforcement, requests must be directed to the respective tribal police departments, as tribal nations maintain sovereignty over their law enforcement records.
• Response times for public records requests typically range from several days to two weeks depending on the complexity of the request.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process follows Montana state guidelines, and individuals can post bail through the court system or authorized bail bond agents.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• Big Horn County also operates a Justice Court, which handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims up to $7,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and is the initial appearance court for felony charges.
• Copying fees are typically $0.50 per page for standard documents, with certified copies available for $5.00 plus per-page fees.
• Requests for bulk data or full record searches should be directed to the Clerk of District Court in writing.

• Recording fees vary by document type, with standard deeds typically costing $7.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
• Certified copies are available for an additional fee.
• For official property searches, visiting the Recorder's office in person or submitting written requests with specific parcel numbers or legal descriptions is recommended.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Death certificates are $8.00 per copy.
• The marriage license fee is approximately $53.00 and there is no waiting period in Montana.
• Marriage certificates can be requested after the ceremony for $8.00.
• Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of District Court at the courthouse and can be accessed as court records, though full decrees may contain confidential information.
• Valid photo identification is required when requesting vital records in person.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The state business search portal is free and provides information on entity status, registered agents, formation dates, and principal addresses.
• Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are processed through Big Horn County Planning Department at the courthouse
• The Hardin Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, located in Hardin, provides resources for businesses including networking opportunities, economic development information, and visitor services.
• Contractors working in Montana may need to register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry depending on their trade, and certain construction trades require state licensing.