About Columbus
Official government information is available at www.census.gov.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Columbus
Columbus Police Department
Bill Pronovost 408 E 1st Ave Columbus, Montana 59019 (406)322-5313 Visit Department's Homepage County: Stillwater
Stillwater County Sheriff's Office
The Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office is the chief law enforcement agency in Stillwater County, Montana. It is comprised of approximately twenty-six employees including sworn officers, communications technicians, and professional support staff. The Sheriff’s Office provides general law enforcement, court security, dispatching, and search and rescue operations for the citizens of Stillwater County
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Columbus
District Court - Carbon County
N. Columbus, MT 59019 · Rochelle Loyning, Clerk of District Court Carbon County Courthouse 102 Broadway Avenue North PO Box 948 Red Lodge, MT 59068 · P: (406) 446-1225 · Resources · Montana Law Help by MLSA · State Law Library · Fee Schedule · 22nd Judicial District.
🏠 Property & Public Records in Columbus
Columbus Police Department in Columbus, MT
Enter an address to view available property records — ownership, deed transfers, assessed values, property taxes, and recorded filings. By searching, you agree to: Terms • Privacy • Disclosures · The Columbus City Clerk, located in Columbus.
About Columbus — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Stillwater County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing arrested individuals. When someone is booked, the process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal details. Visitation requires advance scheduling, with specific rules determined by the facility itself. Bond and bail procedures follow Montana state guidelines, and information about recent arrests can be obtained through the Sheriff's Office.
Local specifics: Inmate lookups for individuals arrested in or near Columbus can be conducted at madisonsheriffne.gov.
Arrest Records
The Stillwater County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for Stillwater County. These documents detail the circumstances of each arrest, charges filed, and subsequent court proceedings. Residents and attorneys seeking arrest records can contact the Sheriff's Office directly, following procedures set forth under the Montana Public Records Act. A typical record includes the arrested individual's personal information, the nature of charges, and details about the arresting agency.
Local specifics: Recent arrest records for Columbus are published online at madisonsheriffne.gov.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Stillwater County covers felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. To conduct a background check, individuals can request records from these agencies or use the services of the Montana Department of Justice, which provides statewide criminal history checks. The sex offender registry is accessible to the public, making sure of community awareness and safety.
Local specifics: Statewide criminal background checks covering Columbus residents can be requested through dojmt.gov. The standard fee is $11.50 per record request.
Vital Records
The Stillwater County Health Department (https://stillwatercountymt.gov/departments/health) is responsible for maintaining vital records for Columbus, MT. This includes birth, death, and marriage certificates, as well as domestic partnership registrations. Individuals can request copies of these records by contacting the health department directly or visiting their office in Columbus. The department also oversees various public health initiatives and programs within the community.
Business & Licensing Records
The business community in Columbus, Stillwater County, Montana benefits from the support of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, which maintains a website at https://www.columbusmtchamber.com/. The chamber provides resources including a business directory, event calendar, and information on economic development opportunities. Entrepreneurs and business owners can obtain business licenses and permits through the Stillwater County Clerk and Recorder's Office.
Economy & Demographics
The economy of Columbus, MT, is driven by a diverse mix of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.stillwatermining.com/), a leading producer of platinum group metals. The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and the Stillwater County Economic Development Corporation (https://stillwatercountymt.gov/departments/economic-development) work to support and promote the local business community.
Elections & Voter Records
Columbus voters rely on the Stillwater County Elections Office for all election related services. Administered by the Stillwater County Clerk and Recorder, the office is located at 400 3rd Avenue North, Columbus, MT 59019, and can be reached at 406-322-5236. This office handles voter registration, election administration, absentee voting, ballot preparation, and certification of results for Stillwater County. Montana residents can register to vote online at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote or submit paper forms to the Stillwater County elections office.
The state allows Election Day registration, enabling eligible residents to register and vote simultaneously at polling places or the Stillwater County elections office. Voters must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and Montana residents for at least 30 days before the election. Acceptable identification includes a Montana driver's license, state ID card, tribal ID, military ID, passport, or current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check displaying the voter's name and current address. Municipal elections for mayor and city council positions occur in November of odd-numbered years. City council terms are staggered to maintain continuity. Candidate filing information, local ballot measures, and sample ballots are available through Columbus City Hall at 406-322-5313 and the Stillwater County Elections Office approximately 60 days before each election. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by contacting the Stillwater County elections office or using the Montana Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://sosmt.gov. The community typically has polling locations at Columbus High School or similar central facilities. State law requires polling places to be accessible and clearly posted. Election records in Montana are extensively public. Voter registration lists are available for inspection at the Stillwater County elections office and may be purchased by political candidates and parties under Montana Code Annotated § 13-2-220. Campaign finance records for state and local candidates must be filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices and are searchable online at https://cers-ext.mt.gov. Candidate filing information, ballot measures, official text of initiatives, and certified election results are all public records. Precinct-by-precinct results are published by the county after certification. The county has approximately 6,500 registered voters.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Columbus voters are published by the Montana Secretary of State Elections (https://sosmt.gov/elections/). Voters will decide races for Montana's House seat, state legislative seats for Senate District 28 and House District 56 (which include parts of Stillwater County), and county offices including County Commissioner, Sheriff, County Attorney, Clerk and Recorder, and other constitutional offices. Stillwater County offices are elected to four-year terms with elections occurring in even-numbered years. Montana offers absentee voting options. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Absentee ballot requests can be submitted online through the Secretary of State website, by written request to the Stillwater County Elections Office, or in person. Absentee ballots are mailed beginning 30 days before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the Stillwater County elections office by 8:00 PM on Election Day; postmarks do not extend this deadline. Voters can track their absentee ballot status through the My Voter Page on the Secretary of State's website.
Public Records Resources for Columbus, Montana
Official government websites for Columbus, Montana and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov,.us, or.mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or.com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Montana Birth and Death Vital RecordsRequest birth and death certificates from the MT Dept. of Public Health and Human Services.
- Montana Business & Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the Montana Secretary of State.
- Montana Death Row inmatesInformation from a non-profit resource about Montana death row inmates.
- Montana Federal CasesSearch the Montana Court system to find information and public records on federal case filings.
- Montana Property RecordsObtain property tax info by contacting the Montana Cadastral Mapping page.
- Montana Unclaimed PropertySearch property and claim status by name or business with National Assoc. of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
- Montana Archival CollectionsMontana historical records, manuscript collections and government records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Columbus, Montana?
To register to vote in Columbus, Montana, residents can register online through the Montana Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Stillwater County elections office. Montana requires voters to be U.S. 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 Columbus, contact the Stillwater County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Columbus, Montana?
Property records for Columbus, Montana are maintained by the Stillwater Montana Department of Revenue's Office and the Stillwater County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Stillwater County, including parcels in Columbus. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Stillwater 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. The Stillwater County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Columbus, Montana?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Columbus, 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 Stillwater County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Stillwater 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.