About Daniels County
Daniels County is located in the extreme northeastern corner of Montana, sharing an international border with Saskatchewan, Canada to the north and North Dakota to the east. Established in 1920, Daniels County was named after Mansfield A. Daniels, an early Montana rancher. Daniels County Seat is Scobey, located in the heart of this agricultural region. Daniels County includes approximately 1,426 square miles of rolling prairie scene characterized by wheat fields, grasslands, and occasional coulees.
The population according to recent Census estimates is approximately 1,600 residents, making it one of Montana's least populous counties. The economy is heavily dependent on dryland wheat farming and cattle ranching, with the town of Scobey serving as the primary commercial and governmental center. Daniels County Courthouse, houses most county offices including the Clerk and Recorder, Montana Department of Revenue, and Treasurer.
Daniels County experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, typical of the northern Great Plains. Notable landmarks include the Pioneer Town Museum in Scobey, which preserves Daniels County's homesteading heritage with over 35 historic buildings. Daniels County is also known for its proximity to the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge just to the south in Sheridan County.
Daniels County represents quintessential rural Montana, where agriculture defines both the scene and the culture, and where small-town values and community connections remain strong in an increasingly urbanized world.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Daniels County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Daniels County. The office handles patrol duties, criminal investigations, and the maintenance of public safety. The office is also involved in community outreach programs and works closely with local schools and organizations to promote safety and crime prevention.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Daniels County is primarily managed by Daniels County Sheriff's Office. In addition to Daniels County sheriff, the Scobey Police Department serves the city of Scobey, providing law enforcement services within city limits. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, making sure of full coverage across Daniels County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Daniels County Sheriff's Office, located at 106 East Broadway in Scobey, Montana 59263, is the primary law enforcement agency for Daniels County. Daniels County Jail, a small detention facility located adjacent to the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office, though fees may apply for copying services.
- Mugshots and booking photos are considered public records in Montana and can be requested through the Sheriff's Office, though Daniels County does not publish these online.
- For historical criminal records or more extensive background checks, requesters may need to contact the Montana Department of Justice Criminal Records Section in Helena.
Inmate information can be obtained by calling the Sheriff's Office directly during business hours, as Daniels County does not maintain an online inmate roster due to its small size. The City of Scobey maintains a municipal police presence through contracted services with the Sheriff's Office, rather than operating a separate police department. Arrest records and booking information are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and are subject to Montana's public records law under the Montana Constitution Article II, Section 9, and Montana Code Annotated 2-6-102, which guarantees the right to examine public documents.
Due to the rural nature and low crime rate in Daniels County, arrest records are relatively limited compared to urban areas. Daniels County does not have tribal law enforcement agencies within its boundaries.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Daniels County cover a range of offenses, including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and entries in the sex offender registry. Residents can request criminal records through the Sheriff's Office or use state resources for more full background checks. The records provide information on charges, court proceedings, and outcomes, contributing to public safety and transparency.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Daniels County are maintained by Daniels County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of arrests made within Daniels County, including the charges and booking information. Residents and legal representatives can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and case status. Montana's public records law, known as the Montana Public Records Act, governs the access to these records, for public access and public access.
Jail & Inmate Records
Daniels County Detention Center, located in Scobey, is the primary jail facility in Daniels County. It handles the booking and detention of individuals arrested within Daniels County. The booking process includes photographing, fingerprinting, and recording personal information. Inmate information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office If you need to locate someone recently arrested. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance.
- Bail and bond processes follow Montana state guidelines, allowing for release pending trial under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Daniels County are taken and retained by Daniels County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These photographs are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. While the office may provide access to mugshots upon request, there is no centralized online database for public viewing. Montana does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals can petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement of charges.
Courts & Case Records
Daniels County is served by the Fourth Judicial District Court of Montana, with Daniels County Courthouse, Montana 59263. Daniels County Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases, felony criminal matters, domestic relations, probate, and appeals from lower courts. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Montana also operates Justice Courts at Daniels County level; Daniels County Justice Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims up to $12,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and other limited jurisdiction matters. The Justice Court is located within the courthouse complex in Scobey.
- Copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of District Court for a fee of $0.50 per page for standard copies and higher fees for certified copies.
Court records in Montana are governed by the Montana Public Records Act (MCA 2-6-1001 et seq.) and are generally open to public inspection unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute. The Montana Judicial Branch maintains an online case search system at https://searchcourts.mt.gov that provides access to District Court case information for Daniels County, though some case types may have restricted access. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to find dockets, judgments, and other court documents.
In-person visits to the Clerk's office during regular business hours allow for the most full record searches. Probate matters, including wills and estate administrations, are handled by the District Court and are typically public record unless sealed. Municipal court functions for Scobey are handled through the Justice Court system rather than a separate municipal court.
Property & Public Records
Daniels County Clerk and Recorder, Montana 59263, maintains land and property records for Daniels County. The office can be contacted for The Clerk and Recorder is responsible for recording and maintaining deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, military discharge papers (DD-214s), Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings, plat maps, and other documents affecting real property within Daniels County. Montana law requires that real property transactions be recorded to establish priority and provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained for a statutory fee, with the first page costing more than subsequent pages according to Montana Code Annotated 7-4-2631.
Daniels Clerk and Recorder's office maintains both current and historical records dating back to Daniels County's establishment in 1920. Property records are public documents under Montana law and can be searched by the public during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. While Daniels County does not currently offer a full online property document search system, basic property information may be available through inquiry.
Daniels Montana Department of Revenue's Office, also located in the courthouse, maintains property tax assessment records, including ownership information, legal descriptions, assessed values, and property characteristics. Property tax information can be accessed by contacting the Assessor's office for Daniels County Treasurer handles property tax collection and can provide information about tax payments, delinquencies, and tax sale properties. Montana does not have a statewide integrated GIS parcel viewer, but some county information may be available through the Montana Cadastral system.
Vital Records
Vital records for Daniels County, Montana, are maintained at both Daniels County and state levels. Daniels County Clerk and Recorder, Montana 59263, phone, maintains birth and death records that occurred within Daniels County. However, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records in Helena, is the centralized repository for all Montana vital records and is often the most reliable source for certified copies. Birth certificates can be requested from either Daniels County Clerk and Recorder or the state Office of Vital Records.
- The current fee for a certified birth certificate is $15 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies ordered simultaneously.
- Death certificates follow similar procedures and fee schedules, with access limited to qualified applicants.
- Processing times vary: county offices may provide faster service for recent records, typically within a few days, while state office requests can take 2-4 weeks or longer during busy periods.
- The fee for a marriage license is set by state law.
- The Montana Office of Vital Records offers online ordering through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com for an additional processing fee.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record, as Montana restricts access to immediate family members and legal representatives under Montana Code Annotated 50-15-120 through 50-15-123. Marriage licenses must be obtained from Daniels County Clerk and Recorder before the marriage ceremony; Montana has no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 180 days. Divorce decrees are not vital records but are court records maintained by the Clerk of District Court.
Applicants requesting records by mail must include a completed application form, copy of valid ID, appropriate fees, and proof of relationship or legal interest.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records for Daniels County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Daniels County Clerk and Recorder at 213 Main Street in Scobey, Montana 59263, handles registration of Doing Business As (DBA) names, also called fictitious business names or assumed business names, which are required when a sole proprietor or partnership operates under a name different from the owner's legal name. The filing fee is established by Montana statute.
- This database is free to access and provides essential transparency into Montana's business scene.
- The Scobey Chamber of Commerce, though not a government agency, provides valuable resources for local businesses and can be a helpful starting point for entrepreneurs looking to establish operations in Daniels County.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, registration is handled by the Montana Secretary of State Business Services Division in Helena. The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database at https://biz.sosmt.gov where the public can search for registered business entities, view filing history, check business name availability, and access annual reports and registered agent information. Professional licenses, including those for contractors, healthcare providers, accountants, and cosmetologists, are regulated by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry through various professional licensing boards.
Montana does not have a general state sales tax, so sales tax permits are not required. Local business licenses or permits may be required by the City of Scobey for businesses operating within city limits; information can be obtained from Scobey City Hall for Building permits, zoning compliance, and land use matters are handled by Daniels County Planning Department or Daniels County commissioners' office.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Daniels County are administered by Daniels County Clerk and Recorder, who serves as Daniels County election administrator. The office is, Montana 59263, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Voter registration in Montana can be completed online through the Montana Secretary of State's website at https://sosmt.gov/elections, by mail, or in person at the Clerk and Recorder's office. Montana offers Election Day registration, allowing qualified residents to register and vote on the same day at their polling location or Daniels County election office, though pre-registration is encouraged.
- The regular voter registration deadline is noon the day before Election Day for those registering in advance.
- The 2024 general election saw typical turnout for rural Montana counties, generally ranging from 65% to 75% of registered voters, reflecting high civic engagement in agricultural communities.
- Montana offers absentee voting by mail; any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
- Requests can be made through Daniels County election office, and applications are available on the Secretary of State's website.
- Absentee ballot applications must be received by Daniels County election administrator by noon the day before the election, though earlier requests are strongly recommended.
Montana residents must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and have resided in Montana for at least 30 days prior to the election. Voters can find their polling place by contacting the County Clerk and Recorder or by using the online polling place locator at the Secretary of State's website.
Daniels County typically operates several polling places including locations in Scobey and potentially other communities depending on turnout needs. Election records that are public in Montana include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House and Senate races, Montana state legislative seats, and various county offices. Montana law (MCA Title 13) provides for substantial election transparency, allowing citizens to request election materials, observe ballot counting, and access campaign finance disclosures. Daniels County Clerk and Recorder maintains historical election results and can provide information about candidate filings, ballot initiatives, and election procedures.
Economy & Demographics
Daniels County's economy is fundamentally rooted in agriculture, specifically dryland wheat farming and cattle ranching, which have been the economic pillars since the homesteading era of the early 20th century. Daniels County lies within Montana's Golden Triangle, one of the most productive wheat-growing regions in the United States, benefiting from rich glacial soils. Major employers include grain elevators, farm equipment dealerships, agricultural service providers, and the school district.
- Census data, the median household income in Daniels County is approximately $52,000 to $58,000, though this can fluctuate significantly based on annual crop yields and commodity prices.
Daniels County government and Daniels Memorial Hospital in Scobey also provide significant employment. According to U.S. The agricultural sector dominates, with wheat, barley, pulse crops (lentils and peas), and hay production generating most farm revenues.
Cattle operations, both cow-calf and backgrounding, contribute substantially to the agricultural economy. Daniels County experiences typical boom-and-bust cycles tied to agricultural commodity markets and weather patterns. Unemployment rates tend to be low due to the small labor force, typically ranging from 2% to 4%, though underemployment and seasonal work patterns affect many residents.
Retail trade and services in Scobey serve both local residents and the surrounding agricultural community. The oil and gas industry has minimal presence compared to eastern Montana counties, though some exploration has occurred. Tourism plays a modest role, with hunters visiting during fall seasons and history enthusiasts exploring the Pioneer Town Museum.
Economic development challenges include population decline, aging demographics, limited broadband infrastructure, and distance from major markets. Recent initiatives have focused on value-added agriculture, renewable energy potential, and improving telecommunications infrastructure to support remote work opportunities.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (State Portal) | Property: Limited: Online Access | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or State Office | Business: Yes: Online (State Level) | Elections: Yes: Online Registration | Overall Score: 6/10, Daniels County provides standard rural Montana access to public records with some services requiring in-person visits to Scobey due to limited online infrastructure.