Havre Public Records Directory

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

Law Enforcement

Beyond the Hill County Sheriff's Office, the Havre Police Department handles law enforcement duties within city limits. The department manages day-to-day public safety operations, investigates local crimes, and coordinates with the Sheriff's Office when major cases require joint resources. Both agencies work closely together, sharing personnel and equipment when needed to provide consistent coverage across the county.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Hill County Detention Center is the primary holding facility for anyone arrested within county boundaries. Booking procedures include fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information for each detainee. Visitation at the facility requires advance scheduling and strict compliance with security protocols. Montana state guidelines govern the bond and bail process, with courts setting bail amounts that allow release pending trial.

Arrest Records

The Hill County Sheriff's Office keeps official arrest records for Hill County. These documents capture the specifics of each arrest, dates, charges filed, and which officer made the apprehension. Anyone seeking arrest records can contact the Sheriff's Office directly and follow request procedures set forth in the Montana Public Records Act. Records typically contain personal details about the arrested individual, the nature of charges brought against them, and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Court Records

Havre Municipal Court and Hill County District Court handle legal matters for residents throughout the area. Court records, including case dockets, filings, and judgments, are publicly accessible through the Montana Judicial Branch's online portal at https://courts.mt.gov/. The system allows searches for civil, criminal, and other legal proceedings within both the municipal and county court systems.

Criminal Records

Hill County's criminal records system includes documentation of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and entries in the sex offender registry. Residents can request criminal background checks through the Montana Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which offers records For people within the state. The system ensures that all criminal activities are documented and accessible for legal and personal inquiries.

Public Records Access

The City of Havre maintains an extensive public records repository covering a wide range of municipal documents. Residents can find city council meeting minutes, ordinances, and public notices through the official city website at https://www.ci.havre.mt.us/. The Havre Montana Police Department and Havre Montana Fire Department each maintain separate records related to their operations and service calls.

Vital Records

Vital records for the city of Havre, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, are maintained by the Hill County Clerk and Recorder's Office. Individuals can request copies of these records by visiting the office or accessing the online request form at https://www.hillcounty.us/clerk-and-recorder. The city also offers a searchable criminal records database through the Montana Department of Justice at https://doj.egovmt.com/choprs/.

Business & Licensing Records

The city's economic development initiatives provide substantial support to local entrepreneurs and established businesses alike. Information about licenses, permits, and zoning regulations is available through the City of Havre's website at https://www.ci.havre.mt.us/. The city also offers economic data and resources assists with business planning and investment decisions in the area.

Economy & Demographics

Havre's economy is heavily influenced by its role as a regional agricultural and commercial hub. The city's Havre City Park and Recreation department oversees the management and development of the community's public spaces, including parks, trails, and recreational facilities, which contribute to the city's quality of life and economic vitality. People can find information about the city's parks, events, and programs on the department's website at https://www.ci.havre.mt.us/parks-recreation.

Elections & Voter Records

The Hill County Elections Office handles voter services for Havre residents, operating under the Hill County Clerk and Recorder at 315 4th Street, Hill County Courthouse, Havre, MT 59501. The office can be reached at 406-265-5481 ext. 229, and information is available online at www.co.hill.mt.us. Montana residents have several options for voter registration: online through the Montana Secretary of State at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote, in person at the Hill County elections office, or by mail.
The state allows same-day voter registration, meaning residents can register and cast their ballot on Election Day with proper identification and proof of residency. Acceptable ID includes a Montana driver's license, state ID card, tribal ID, or current utility bill showing name and address. Municipal elections in the city follow a predictable schedule. The mayor serves a four-year term, while council members serve staggered four-year terms. These elections typically occur in November of odd-numbered years, most recently in November 2023 for council seats and 2021 for mayor. The next municipal elections are scheduled for November 2025 for city council positions. Voters can obtain information about local candidates, sample ballots, and city ballot measures through the Havre City Clerk at 519 3rd Avenue or the Hill County Elections Office. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by visiting the Montana Secretary of State's polling place lookup at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo or by contacting the Hill County elections office. During the November 2024 general election, Hill County saw approximately 6,100 ballots cast from roughly 10,500 registered voters, a turnout of about 58% for the presidential race. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, local voters will decide several important races: Montana's U.S. Senate seat (Jon Tester's seat, Class I, last elected 2024), U.S. House of Representatives for Montana's at-large or 2nd district (depending on congressional redistricting), Montana State Senate District 17 (half of state senate seats up every four years), Montana State House of Representatives District 33, Hill County Commission seats, Hill County Clerk and Recorder, Hill County Sheriff, Hill County Attorney, and potentially Hill County Justice of the Peace. Montana Governor and statewide constitutional officers (Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and others) serve four-year terms with elections in presidential years, so 2026 will be a midterm without gubernatorial races. City races occur in odd years. Montana offers no-excuse absentee voting, allowing any registered voter to request an absentee ballot through a written request to the Hill County Elections Office. Request forms are available online at https://sosmt.gov/elections/absentee. The state has significantly expanded mail ballot access, and many counties including Hill County now conduct all-mail elections for certain contests. Absentee ballot requests must arrive by noon the day before Election Day. Public election records in Montana include voter registration lists (available with restrictions under Montana Code Annotated § 13-2-220), campaign finance reports searchable at https://cers-ext.mt.gov through the Commissioner of Political Practices, candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and ballot issue text. The county elections office posts unofficial results on election night and certifies official tallies within days. Montana's election laws are codified in Title 13 of Montana Code Annotated.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: Yes: Online Statewide Portal | Property: Limited: Partial Online (GIS available, some recorder documents require in-person/request) | Arrest Logs: Limited: Online (jail roster available, detailed reports require request) | Vital Records: Yes: Online Ordering (through state VitalChek system) | Business: Yes: Free State Database (Montana Secretary of State searchable portal) | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall: 7.5/10, Hill County and Havre provide good access to most public records through Montana state portals and county offices, with property and court records increasingly digitized, though some historical documents and detailed law enforcement records still require in-person requests at the Hill County Courthouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the school district and education performance data for Havre, Hill County, Montana?
Public schools in Havre, Hill County, Montana are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Hill 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 Havre, Hill County, Montana is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly.
The Havre 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 Hill County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.
The Havre Public Library serves residents of Havre and the surrounding Hill County area in Montana. Contact the library directly or visit the Hill County library system website for the current address, phone number, hours of operation, and available services.
Fingerprinting services for Havre, Montana residents are available through the local police department and authorized third-party providers in Hill County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. The Montana Department of Justice or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.
Vital records for Havre, Hill 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 Hill 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 Havre, Montana, residents can register online through the Montana Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Hill 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 Havre, contact the Hill County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Havre, Montana are maintained by the Montana Department of Revenue's Office and the County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within County, including parcels in Havre. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The 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 County offices at the county courthouse. The County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Havre, 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 County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for 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 Havre, Montana operates at municipal, county, and state levels. The Havre town or city clerk's office handles local business permits, zoning approvals, and any municipal license requirements for businesses operating within Havre limits. 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 Havre, contact the Havre clerk's office and the County economic development office.