Skip to main content

Great Falls, Montana Public Records

  Trusted Public Records Directory

Search official government public records, criminal records, court records, and background check resources for Great Falls, Montana.

Public Schools

Official source: NCES Public School District Search
  • 🎓Public schools are administered by local school districts under state Department of Education oversight.
  • 📊School performance data, enrollment, and district boundaries are published by the state Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).
  • 📞Contact the local district office for enrollment, transcripts, or attendance records.
Public schools in Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Cascade 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 & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Cascade 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 Great Falls police department or the Cascade County Sheriff's Office.

Public Library Records Access

Official source: IMLS Library Search & Compare
  • 📚Public libraries provide free access to online databases, historical archives, and government-document collections.
  • 🔎Many libraries offer remote access to property records, court records, and genealogy resources with a valid library card.
  • 👤Reference librarians can assist with research, document retrieval, and government-records lookups.
The Great Falls 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 Cascade County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.

Fingerprinting Services

Official source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks
  • 👆Fingerprinting for background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening is offered by local police and authorized providers.
  • 📅Most agencies require appointments; walk-in hours and fees vary by location.
  • 🪪Bring valid government-issued photo ID; some agencies accept fingerprint cards mailed in for processing.
Fingerprinting services for Great Falls, Montana residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Cascade County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact the Great Falls Police Department or the Cascade 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.

About Great Falls — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

The primary lockup for Cascade County is the Cascade County Detention Center in Great Falls. When someone is booked, the facility processes fingerprints, photographs, and personal details. Residents can search for current inmates through Cascade County's official website. Visitation requires advance scheduling according to facility rules. Montana's bail system accepts cash, bond, or property, and information about recent arrests is available directly from the Detention Center.

Arrest Records

The Cascade County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the area. Anyone seeking these records - whether residents or attorneys - can request them by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. A typical record includes the arrested person's name, charges filed, and arrest date. The Montana Public Records Act guarantees public access to these documents, promoting transparency in local law enforcement.

Criminal Records

Cascade County's criminal records system includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can run a background check through the Montana Department of Justice, which provides criminal history information. The Montana Department of Justice offers additional resources for residents seeking detailed criminal records.

Vital Records

The Cascade County Health Department is responsible for maintaining vital records for Great Falls and the surrounding region. This includes birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses. Individuals can request copies of these records by visiting the department's office at 115 4th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59401, or by accessing the online portal at https://cchdmt.org/vital records/.

Business & Licensing Records

Great Falls supports its business community through city-provided resources and dedicated development services. The Great Falls Development Authority at 316 Central Avenue, Great Falls, MT 59401, assists with business licensing, economic development projects, and entrepreneurial guidance. Additional information and resources are available on the city's website at https://greatfallsmt.net/business.

Economy & Demographics

Great Falls, Montana, boasts a diverse and thriving economy, with key industries including agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. Major employers in the area include Benefis Health System, the U.S. Air Force, and the Great Falls Public Schools. The city's economic development efforts are coordinated by the Great Falls Development Authority, which works to attract new businesses, support existing companies, and foster a pro-business environment. Information about the city's economy and development opportunities can be found on the city's website at https://greatfallsmt.net/business.

Elections & Voter Records

Great Falls voters are served by the Cascade County Election Department, housed in the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 415 2nd Avenue North, Room 202, Great Falls, MT 59401 (phone: 406-454-6803, website: https://www.cascadecountymt.gov/departments/clerk-recorder/elections). Montana residents can register through the Secretary of State's My Voter Page at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote, by mail, or in person at the Cascade County office.
Registration stays open until 5:00 PM the day before Election Day - one of the latest deadlines in the country - and same-day registration is permitted at polling places and the Cascade County office with proper identification. Residents can locate their polling place through the Montana My Voter Page at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo or by calling the Cascade County election office. Montana conducts elections primarily by mail, sending ballots to all registered voters about 20 days before each election, though in-person voting remains available at the Cascade County office and designated locations on Election Day.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Great voters are published by the Montana Secretary of State Elections (https://sosmt.gov/elections/). Public election records in the state include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes), campaign finance disclosures searchable at https://campaignfinance.mt.gov, candidate filings through the Cascade County office and Secretary of State, and precinct-level results published after each election. While all voters automatically receive mail ballots, residents can still request absentee ballots from the Cascade County Election Department; military and overseas voters can use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at https://www.fvap.gov.
City Info
StateMontana
CountyCascade
Population67,300

Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote in Great Falls, Montana, residents can register online through the Montana Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Cascade 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 Great Falls, contact the Cascade County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Great Falls, Montana are maintained by the Cascade Montana Department of Revenue's Office and the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Cascade County, including parcels in Great Falls. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Cascade 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 Cascade County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Great Falls, 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 Cascade County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Cascade 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.