Billings Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Billings, Montana government websites.

  About Billings City Government
Government Type City Council

The city government of Billings, Montana, operates under the Billings City Council, which consists of 11 elected members. The council is divided into two districts, with six members elected from the city’s districts and five members elected at-large. Each council member serves a term of four years, with elections held in odd-numbered years.The meetings are open to the public, providing an opportunity for residents to engage with their local government and participate in the decision-making process.

  About Billings, Montana

The Billings Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within the city, ensuring the safety and security of its residents. In addition, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office provides services to the surrounding areas and oversees the county jail and detention facility, ensuring a coordinated approach to public safety. If you need access to arrest records, mugshots, and booking records in Billings, the process begins at the local police department, which maintains a records unit dedicated to handling such requests. Individuals may visit the Billings Police Department in person or submit a formal request, typically requiring identification and payment of a fee. For records that are not available through the city, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office is the next point of contact, offering additional resources for criminal history inquiries. The Montana Department of Justice operates the Montana Criminal Repository through its Bureau of Investigation, where individuals can request full criminal history reports. This service includes vital information from across the state and can be accessed online, simplifying the process for those needing to conduct thorough background checks. In terms of judicial proceedings, the Yellowstone County Superior Court serves the Billings area, handling civil, criminal, and family law cases. Residents can request court records in two primary ways: either through the online portal provided by the court system or by visiting the clerk of court's office in person. Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, can be obtained from the Yellowstone County Clerk-Recorder’s office or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Property records are maintained by the county assessor’s office, with access available both online and in person at the county recorder’s office. Billings residents can submit requests for general public records under the Montana Right to Know Act, which allows citizens to access various government documents. The typical response time for these requests is usually between 5 to 10 business days, for public access and accessibility to public information. With these resources at hand, residents and interested parties can navigate the legal and public record scene in Billings with relative ease, reflecting the city’s commitment to open governance and community engagement.

  Billings, Montana Public Records & Government Resources

Law Enforcement

While the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office handles countywide law enforcement, the Billings Police Department provides dedicated municipal policing within city limits. Just to the east, the Laurel Police Department serves its own community. These municipal agencies focus on local crime prevention and community-oriented policing, working closely with the Sheriff's Office when major crimes occur or regional safety initiatives require coordination. The arrangement ensures that residents throughout the county receive law enforcement coverage tailored to both urban and smaller municipal needs.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Yellowstone County Detention Facility, located in Billings, is the primary booking and holding center for anyone arrested within county boundaries. The facility maintains an online inmate lookup tool that allows the public to search for current detainees. Visitors must schedule appointments ahead of time and follow strict guidelines established by the facility. Montana's bond and bail system permits cash bonds or arrangements through licensed bondsmen, and those seeking information about recent arrests can contact the Sheriff's Office directly for updates on booking records.

Arrest Records

The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office maintains all arrest records for Yellowstone County. Residents and attorneys can request these records by following procedures set forth in the Montana Public Records Act. A typical arrest record includes personal identifying information, circumstances of the arrest, charges filed, and booking details. The Sheriff's Office provides clear guidance on obtaining these documents while so that all requests comply with state laws governing public access to criminal justice information.

Court Records

Judicial matters in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana fall under the jurisdiction of the Yellowstone County District Court, accessible online at https://www.yellowstonecountymt.gov/district_court/. The court handles both civil and criminal cases, with public records available through its online portal. For municipal-level matters, the Billings Municipal Court at https://www.ci.billings.mt.us/105/Municipal-Court addresses local ordinance violations and other city-specific cases that don't rise to the district court level.

Criminal Records

The criminal records ecosystem in Yellowstone County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, along with the Billings Police Department, maintains these records. Residents can run a background check through the Montana Department of Justice, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Montana Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for accessing criminal records, so that residents have access to background information.

Public Records Access

The City of Billings operates a website at https://www.ci.billings.mt.us/ where residents can access a broad range of public records and government information. The Billings City Clerk's office, found at https://www.ci.billings.mt.us/104/City-Clerk, handles the preservation and management of all municipal records. Meanwhile, the Parmly Billings Library at https://billingslibrary.org/ serves the community as both a research hub and gathering place, providing public access to information well beyond what city government alone maintains.

Vital Records

Vital records in Billings, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, are maintained by the Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's Office. This office can be contacted at https://www.yellowstonecountymt.gov/clerk_recorder/ for information on obtaining certified copies of these important documents. The Billings-Yellowstone County Health Department at https://www.ci.billings.mt.us/1185/Health-Department provides access to public health resources and information.

Business & Licensing Records

The business community in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana receives support from the Billings Chamber of Commerce at https://www.billingschamber.com/, which provides resources and networking opportunities for local enterprises. The City of Billings also maintains an Economic Development Office at https://www.ci.billings.mt.us/1191/Economic-Development that offers information on business licensing requirements, available incentives, and initiatives builds economic growth throughout the area.

Economy & Demographics

Billings' diverse economy is driven by a range of industries, including healthcare, energy, agriculture, and tourism. The city's economic performance and development initiatives can be tracked through resources provided by the Billings Chamber of Commerce at https://www.billingschamber.com/ and the City of Billings' Economic Development Office at https://www.ci.billings.mt.us/1191/Economic-Development. These sources offer insights into local employment, business growth, and economic trends in the region.

Elections & Voter Records

Voters in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana are served by the Yellowstone County Election Department, officially known as the Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder, Elections Division. The office is located at 217 North 27th Street, Room 203, Billings, MT 59101 and can be reached at 406-256-2785 or online at co.yellowstone.mt.us/clerk/elections.aspx. Montana offers online voter registration through the Montana Secretary of State at sosmt.gov/elections/vote, with registration accepted until noon the day before Election Day.
The state also allows same-day registration at polling places and election offices for those who bring proof of residence. New registrants need a valid Montana driver's license or state ID, the last four digits of their Social Security number, and a current Montana address. Municipal elections in the city happen in odd-numbered years, with the next mayoral and city council races scheduled for November 2025. The mayor serves a four-year term, while the City Council comprises 10 members elected from five wards, two per ward, serving staggered four-year terms. Information about city elections, candidate filings, and local ballot measures is available through the City Clerk's Office at billingsmt.gov/clerk or through the County Elections Office. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Montana Voter Information Portal at app.mt.gov/voterinfo by entering their name and date of birth. The portal also displays sample ballots, upcoming election dates, and current voter registration status. As a public records state, Montana makes election information broadly accessible: voter registration lists are available for purchase by qualified requesters under MCA 13-2-220, campaign finance reports can be searched at campaignfinance.mt.gov maintained by the Commissioner of Political Practices, candidate filings are public records at both the County Elections Office and Secretary of State, and precinct-level election results are posted at results.enr.clarityelections.com/MT. During the November 2024 general election, Yellowstone County saw approximately 74,000 voters participate, representing roughly 62% turnout of registered voters, with particularly strong participation in the presidential race. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters will decide several important races. Montana will elect its U.S. House Representative—the state now has two congressional districts following 2023 redistricting, with Billings located in District 2—along with all 100 State House seats and 25 State Senate seats, representing half of the 50-seat chamber. County offices on the ballot include County Commissioners, Sheriff, County Attorney, Clerk and Recorder, and other constitutional offices. Since municipal races occur in odd-numbered years, no city positions will appear on the 2026 ballot. Montana offers absentee voting by mail to any registered voter without requiring a reason. Applications are available at sosmt.gov/elections or through the County Elections Office, and requests must be received by noon the day before the election, though earlier submission is strongly encouraged. The county also provides early voting in person at the County Elections Office beginning 30 days before Election Day.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: Limited: In-Person Required (District Court records primarily at courthouse; limited statewide portal) | Property: Yes: Free Online Assessor+Recorder (Assessor database at svc.mt.gov/dor/property; Recorder documents at Fidlar Tapestry portal) | Arrest Logs: Yes: Online Inmate Roster (current jail bookings searchable at Montana DOC site) | Vital Records: Limited: State Office Required (online ordering available via VitalChek but records centralized in Helena; marriage licenses at county) | Business: Yes: Free State Database (Montana SOS business search at biz.sosmt.gov includes entities and UCCs) | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results (online voter registration, polling place lookup, campaign finance, and results all accessible) | Overall: 7.5/10 — Yellowstone County and Montana provide strong online access for property records, business entities, inmate rosters, and election information, though court records require in-person access and vital records processing remains centralized in Helena with fees for online convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the school district and education performance data for Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana?
Public schools in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Yellowstone County school administration or the Montana Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.
Crime data for Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Billings police department or the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.
The Billings Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Yellowstone County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.
The Billings Public Library serves residents of Billings and the surrounding Yellowstone County area in Montana. Contact the library directly or visit the Yellowstone County library system website for the current address, phone number, hours of operation, and available services.
Fingerprinting services for Billings, Montana residents are available through the local police department and authorized third-party providers in Yellowstone County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact the Billings Police Department or the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The Montana Department of Justice or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.
Vital records for Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are available through the Montana Department of Public Health. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Yellowstone County Clerk's office may also process vital record requests. You will need valid photo identification and proof of eligibility. Processing times and fees vary by office and request method.
To register to vote in Billings, Montana, residents can register online through the Montana Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Yellowstone County elections office. Montana requires voters to be U. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Montana Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Billings, contact the Yellowstone County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Billings, Montana are maintained by the Yellowstone County Assessor's Office and the Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Yellowstone County, including parcels in Billings. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Montana counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. For in-person requests, visit the Yellowstone County offices at the county courthouse. The Yellowstone County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Billings, Montana residents are available through both county and state offices. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Vital Records, located in Helena, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Montana. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Yellowstone County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Yellowstone County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.
Business licensing for Billings, Montana operates at municipal, county, and state levels. The Billings town or city clerk's office handles local business permits, zoning approvals, and any municipal license requirements for businesses operating within Billings limits. Yellowstone County may require additional registrations for businesses in unincorporated areas or county-level sales tax licensing. At the state level, all Montana businesses must register with the Montana Secretary of State and obtain applicable state tax identification numbers from the Montana Department of Revenue. Professional licenses for regulated occupations are issued by the relevant Montana licensing boards. For a complete list of requirements for starting a business in Billings, contact the Billings clerk's office and the Yellowstone County economic development office.
  Nearby Cities in Yellowstone County, Montana

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StateMontana
CountyYellowstone
Population131519
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