About Garfield County
Garfield County, Montana, is a sparsely populated rural county located in the east-central portion of the state, including approximately 4,668 square miles of rugged badlands, prairie, and rangeland. Garfield County Seat is Jordan, one of the most remote and isolated county seats in the contiguous United States, situated roughly 85 miles from the nearest stoplight. Established in 1919 and named after President James A. Garfield, Garfield County is home to fewer than 1,200 residents, making it one of the least populous counties in Montana.
The scene is dominated by the Missouri Breaks, spectacular geological formations that attract photographers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts. The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge borders portions of Garfield County, providing critical habitfor elk, bighorn sheep, and numerous bird species.
Garfield County's economy has traditionally centered on cattle ranching and dryland wheat farming, with vast stretches of land dedicated to grazing. Garfield County government offices are concentrated in Jordan, including Garfield County Clerk and Recorder at 206 2nd Avenue South, Garfield Montana Department of Revenue's office in the same courthouse complex, and Garfield County Treasurer. The courthouse, built in 1932, is the administrative hub for this frontier county.
Garfield County's extreme isolation - Jordan is often cited as the most remote town in the Lower 48 - contributes to its unique character and close community. Garfield County represents a distinctive slice of Montana's agricultural heritage, where vast open spaces, self-reliance, and traditional ranching culture remain central to daily life.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Garfield County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across Garfield County's unincorporated areas. This office patrols rural regions, manages Garfield County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office also collaborates with state and federal agencies to address larger criminal activities and emergencies.
Police Departments
Garfield County is primarily served by Garfield County Sheriff's Office, which covers the entire county, including the rural and unincorporated areas. There are no municipal police departments within Garfield County, as Jordan, Garfield County Seat, relies on the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Garfield County, Montana, is primarily the responsibility of Garfield County Sheriff's Office, located at 206 2nd Avenue South in Jordan, Montana 59337. Due to Garfield County's expansive geography and minimal population, the Sheriff's Office operates with a small staff serving over 4,600 square miles.
- Citizens may request arrest records, incident reports, and booking logs by submitting written requests to the Sheriff's Office, though response times may be longer due to limited administrative staffing.
- Mugshots and booking photos are maintained by the detention facility and can be requested under public records law, though they may not be immediately available online.
Garfield County Detention Center, a small jail facility adjacent to the courthouse in Jordan, houses inmates arrested within county jurisdiction. Inmate information and jail roster inquiries can be made by calling the Sheriff's Office directly during business hours, though online inmate lookup systems are not currently available for this rural facility. There are no incorporated municipalities with independent police departments in Garfield County; Jordan and other communities rely entirely on the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.
Arrest records and booking information are public records under Montana's Constitutional Right to Know provisions (Article II, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution) and the Montana Public Records Act (Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-102). The Montana Highway Patrol also has jurisdiction on state and federal highways traversing Garfield County. No tribal law enforcement agencies operate within Garfield County boundaries, as there are no Indian reservations in Garfield County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Garfield County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. For full background checks, residents can also contact the Montana Department of Justice, which provides statewide criminal history information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Garfield County are maintained by Garfield County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and the arresting officer's information. Residents and attorneys can request access to arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Montana Public Records Act, these records are accessible to the public unless they are part of an ongoing investigation or sealed by the court.
Jail & Inmate Records
Garfield County Detention Center, located in Jordan, is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested or are serving short-term sentences. The booking process at the detention center involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, typically requiring prior scheduling and adherence to security protocols.
- The bond and bail process in Montana allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the detention center.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Garfield County are taken and retained by Garfield County Sheriff's Office during the booking process at the detention center. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. While the Sheriff's Office may provide access to mugshots upon request, they are also sometimes available through third-party websites specializing in public records. Montana does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals can request corrections or updates if the information is inaccurate.
Courts & Case Records
Garfield County District Court, part of Montana's Sixteenth Judicial District, is the primary trial court of general jurisdiction for civil and criminal matters. The courthouse is located at 206 2nd Avenue South, Jordan, Montana 59337, and can be contacted through the office’s website. District Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $12,000, divorce and custody cases, probate proceedings, and appeals from lower courts. The Honorable District Court Judge presides over cases from both Garfield and several neighboring counties on a rotating circuit schedule.
- Garfield County Justice Court operates as a limited jurisdiction court handling misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, small claims up to $7,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
- Copy fees are typically $0.50 per page for standard documents, with certified copies available for $2.00 plus copying fees.
The Justice Court is also located in the Jordan courthouse and can be contacted through the main court number. Court records in Garfield County are public records accessible under Montana Code Annotated § 3-1-111 and Rule 3 of the Montana Supreme Court Rules for Public Access to Judicial Records. Case searches can be conducted in person at the Clerk of District Court office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
Montana's statewide District Court Case Search is available at https://courts.mt.gov, though coverage for smaller rural counties may be limited. Probate records, marriage dissolution records, and most civil case files are available for public inspection unless sealed by court order. Remote access to many court documents is expanding through the Montana Judicial Branch's online systems.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Garfield County, Montana, are maintained by Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's Office, located at 206 2nd Avenue South, Jordan, Montana 59337 The Clerk and Recorder is responsible for recording and maintaining deeds, mortgages, liens, financing statements, easements, right-of-way documents, subdivision plats, and other instruments affecting real property title.
- Currently, Garfield County does not offer a full online document search system for recorded instruments, requiring in-person or mail requests for most research.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available for statutory fees: $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
These records are public documents accessible under Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1002 and provide essential title chain information for property transactions throughout Garfield County's approximately 2.9 million acres. The Recorder's office maintains grantor-grantee indexes dating back to Garfield County's formation in 1919. Research can be conducted in person during office hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though hours may vary and calling ahead is recommended due to the office's small staff.
Property tax information and assessment records are maintained by Garfield Montana Department of Revenue's Office in the same courthouse building The Assessor maintains property valuations, ownership records, legal descriptions, and tax assessment information for all taxable parcels. Property tax payment records and delinquency information can be obtained from Garfield County Treasurer's Office.
Montana's statewide Cadastral Mapping system provides some GIS parcel information at http://svc.mt.gov/msl/mtcadastral, though detailed property record research typically requires direct contact with county offices in this rural jurisdiction.
Vital Records
Vital records for Garfield County, Montana, including birth and death certificates, are available through both county and state channels under Montana Code Annotated § 50-15-101 et seq. Birth certificates for events occurring in Garfield County can be requested from Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 206 2nd Avenue South, Jordan, Montana 59337
- Birth certificates cost $12.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
- Death certificates cost the same.
- Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks when ordered by mail from the state office.
- Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com for an additional service fee, with delivery in approximately 5-10 business days.
However, due to Garfield County's small administrative staff and limited hours, many residents find it more efficient to order vital records through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Statistics, located at 111 North Sanders, Room 6, Helena, Montana 59604. The state vital records office can be reached at and maintains centralized records for all Montana births and deaths. Certified copies are required for legal purposes such as obtaining passports, Social Security benefits, or settling estates.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record. Marriage licenses are issued by Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's Office, with couples required to apply in person. The marriage license fee is approximately $53.00, and there is no waiting period in Montana.
Marriage certificates documenting recorded marriages can be obtained from the same office. Divorce records (Dissolution of Marriage decrees) are maintained by Garfield County District Court Clerk and are public records unless sealed by court order.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Garfield County, Montana, are maintained at both county and state levels depending on the type of business activity and registration. Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 206 2nd Avenue South, Jordan, Montana 59337, handles local business name registrations including Doing Business As (DBA) filings and fictitious business name certificates required under Montana Code Annotated § 30-13-201. These records allow sole proprietors and partnerships to operate under assumed names and are public records searchable at Garfield County level.
- This database is freely accessible and provides detailed information on business structure, formation dates, and principal office locations.
For corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business entities, registration is handled exclusively by the Montana Secretary of State's Business Services Division. The state maintains a full online business entity search at https://biz.sosmt.gov where anyyou can search registered business names, view filing history, registered agent information, and current status of Montana businesses. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, healthcare providers, real estate agents, and other regulated professions are issued by respective Montana state licensing boards rather than at Garfield County level.
Building permits and zoning compliance in Garfield County are administered through Garfield County planning office, though the rural and agricultural nature of Garfield County means zoning regulations are minimal compared to urban areas. Inquiries about building permits, septic system approvals, and land use can be directed to Garfield County Commissioners' office for Garfield County area does not maintain a traditional Chamber of Commerce due to its small population, though regional economic development is supported through regional and state organizations. Sales tax does not exist in Montana at the state or local level.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Garfield County, Montana, are administered by Garfield County Clerk and Recorder, who is the County Election Administrator, located at 206 2nd Avenue South, Jordan, Montana 59337 Voter registration in Garfield County can be completed in person at the Clerk's office, by mail, or online through the Montana Secretary of State's voter registration portal at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status and find polling place locations at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo.
- Absentee voting is strong in Montana; any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
- Absentee ballot requests can be submitted to the County Election Administrator by phone, mail, email, or in person, with the deadline being noon the day before Election Day.
- In the November 2024 general election, Garfield County reported voter turnout of approximately 78-82 percent of registered voters, consistent with Montana's traditionally high rural turnout rates.
- Garfield County provides precinct-level election results, typically posted at the courthouse and reported to the Secretary of State for inclusion in statewide election results.
Montana law requires voter registration to be completed by 5:00 PM the day before Election Day, though late registration is available at Garfield County election office and polling places through Election Day itself under Montana's same-day registration provisions (Montana Code Annotated § 13-2-304). Garfield County typically operates one main polling location in Jordan on Election Day, reflecting Garfield County's small population and geographic concentration in Garfield County Seat. Many Garfield County voters use absentee balloting due to the vast distances between ranches and the polling place.
Montana offers no-excuse absentee voting and has conducted several elections entirely by mail in recent years for certain races. The next major election will occur on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House and Senate races (Montana now has two congressional districts following the 2020 Census), statewide offices including Governor if on cycle, state legislative seats, and local county positions.
Election records in Garfield County are public documents under Montana Code Annotated § 13-1-104, including voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), precinct-level results, candidate filings, and campaign finance reports for local candidates. Campaign finance disclosure for state and federal candidates is managed by the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices at https://camptrack.mt.gov. Citizens may request copies of election records by contacting the County Election Administrator, with results typically available within days following certification.
Economy & Demographics
Garfield County, Montana's economy remains fundamentally rooted in agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and dryland grain farming, which have sustained Garfield County since its settlement in the late 19th century. With a 2020 Census population of just 1,173 residents spread across 4,668 square miles, Garfield County has one of the lowest population densities in the nation. Median household income is estimated at approximately $47,000-$52,000, below both state and national averages, reflecting the challenges of rural agricultural economics.
- Tourism provides modest supplemental income, particularly from hunters pursuing elk, deer, and antelope during fall seasons, and from visitors to the Charles M.
Cattle ranching dominates the economic scene, with thousands of head grazing on vast ranches that often span tens of thousands of acres. Wheat, barley, and hay production constitute the primary crop agriculture, dependent on dryland farming techniques due to limited irrigation infrastructure. Government services, including county administration, schools, and road maintenance, represent significant employment sectors in this small population base.
The educational system, concentrated in Jordan School, employs teachers, administrators, and support staff. Healthcare services are extremely limited, with the nearest full-service hospital located over 80 miles away in either Miles City or Glasgow. Retail and service businesses in Jordan serve the basic needs of local ranchers and residents.
Russell National Wildlife Refuge and Missouri Breaks. Unemployment rates fluctuate with agricultural cycles and typically range from 2-4 percent, though underemployment and seasonal variation are factors. There are no major corporate facilities or industrial operations in Garfield County.
Economic development challenges include geographic isolation, declining and aging population, limited broadband infrastructure, and distance from markets. Garfield County's economy remains remarkably unchanged from historical patterns, representing one of the last true frontier agricultural economies in the continental United States.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online (state system) | Property: Limited: In-Person Required | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person Only | Vital Records: Yes: State Online Available | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: State Portal & Local Access | Overall Score: 5/10, Garfield County's extreme rural nature and minimal staff limit digital access; most records require direct contact with county offices in Jordan, though state-level systems provide some online access.
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Cities & Towns in Garfield County
Explore public records for 3 cities and communities in Garfield County, Montana.