About Toole County
Toole County is located in the north-central region of Montana, along the Canadian border with Alberta. Established in 1914 and named after Joseph K. Toole, the first and fourth governor of Montana, Toole County includes approximately 1,946 square miles of prairie scene characterized by vast agricultural lands and the northern Great Plains topography. Toole County Seat is Shelby, a hub community located at the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and Interstate 15.
As of recent census estimates, Toole County has a population of approximately 4,900 residents, reflecting the rural agricultural character of this border region. Toole County is known historically for hosting the 1923 Dempsey-Gibbons boxing match in Shelby, which drew massive crowds and became a legendary event in boxing history. Major landmarks include the Marias River, Lake Shel-oole, and proximity to the Sweetgrass Hills.
Toole County Courthouse, located at 226 1st Street South in Shelby, houses the primary county offices including the County Clerk and Recorder at the same address. Toole Montana Department of Revenue's office, responsible for property valuations and tax assessments, operates from the courthouse complex. Toole County's economy is anchored by dryland farming, cattle ranching, and oil and gas production, with the transportation corridor along I-15 acting as a vital economic link between the United States and Canada through the Sweetgrass Port of Entry located just north of Toole County.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Toole County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across the unincorporated areas of Toole County. This office handles a variety of duties including patrolling rural areas, managing Toole County jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records.
Police Departments
In addition to Toole County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Toole County is supported by the Shelby Police Department, which serves the city of Shelby. The Shelby Police Department focuses on maintaining law and order within city limits, handling local incidents, and working closely with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes that require broader jurisdictional cooperation. These agencies coordinate efforts to ensure full coverage and effective response to criminal activities across Toole County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Toole County Sheriff's Office, located at 226 1st Street South in Shelby, MT 59474, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Toole County.
- Processing times and copy fees follow the Montana standard of actual costs not to exceed statutory maximums.
Toole County Detention Center, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates arrested within Toole County; current inmate information and booking rosters can typically be obtained by calling the Sheriff's Office directly, as many smaller Montana counties do not maintain online inmate databases. The City of Shelby operates the Shelby Police Department, which handles municipal law enforcement within city limits, while the communities of Sunburst, Devon, and Kevin rely on Sheriff's Office coverage. Under Montana's public records law, specifically the Montana Constitutional Right to Know provision (Article II, Section 9) and the Montana Public Records Act (MCA Title 2, Chapter 6, Part 10), arrest records and booking logs are generally considered public information.
Mugshot photographs and booking photos are typically maintained as part of the detention facility records and may be requested under the same public records statute, though some restrictions apply for juvenile records and ongoing investigations. Due to Toole County's location along the Canadian border, coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection is common for immigration-related enforcement matters.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Toole County includes documentation of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and entries in the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through these local agencies or the Montana Department of Justice, which provides statewide criminal history information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Toole County are maintained by Toole County Sheriff's Office. These records document the circumstances of an individual's arrest, including charges, booking details, and personal information. Residents and attorneys can request access to arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The information provided on an arrest record typically includes the date of arrest, charges, and any court appearances. Access to these records is governed by the Montana Public Records Act, which ensures transparency while protecting sensitive information.
Jail & Inmate Records
Toole County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing individuals arrested within Toole County. The booking process at this facility involves fingerprinting, photographing, and documenting 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 and require prior scheduling, with certain restrictions in place to ensure security.
- The bond and bail process follows Montana state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees upon posting the required amount, which can be arranged through the detention center or a bail bondsman.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Toole County are taken and retained by Toole County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office for legitimate purposes. To search for mugshots, individuals can contact the Sheriff's Office or check their official website if online services are available. Montana does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may request corrections or updates if inaccuracies are found.
Courts & Case Records
Toole County is served by the Fourth Judicial District Court of Montana, with Toole County Courthouse located at 226 1st Street South, Shelby, MT 59474. Toole County Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $12,000, domestic relations including divorce and child custody, probate matters, and appeals from lower courts. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Montana's court system provides limited online case access through the Montana Judicial Branch website, though full case searches often require in-person or written requests to the Clerk of District Court.
- Toole County Justice Court operates under the same courthouse roof and handles misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, small claims up to $7,000, and is the initial appearance court for felony cases.
- Copy fees are established by statute at approximately $0.50 per page for standard documents, with certified copies carrying an additional certification fee of around $5.00.
Justice of the Peace court sessions are held regularly in Shelby. Under Montana Code Annotated § 3-1-802, court records are presumed to be open to the public unless specifically exempted by statute or court order. Case file searches can be conducted at the Clerk of District Court office during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Montana Supreme Court PTLA (Public Access to Court Records) policy governs electronic access, though Toole County's smaller case volume means many searches require direct contact with court staff. Protection orders, sealed juvenile records, and certain family law documents have restricted access under Montana confidentiality provisions.
Property & Public Records
Toole County Clerk and Recorder, located at 226 1st Street South, Shelby, MT 59474, maintains official land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, UCC financing statements, subdivision plats, easements, and other instruments affecting real property in Toole County. The office can be contacted through the office’s website. Under Montana Code Annotated § 7-4-2621, the Clerk and Recorder is the official custodian of recorded documents, which are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description.
- While some Montana counties offer online document search through commercial vendors, Toole County primarily provides record access through in-person visits or written requests to the Recorder's office.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a statutory fee, typically around $5.00 for certification plus per-page copying costs.
Toole Montana Department of Revenue's Office, also located in the courthouse at 226 1st Street South, maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, property characteristics, and valuation data. The Assessor can be contacted for Property tax payment records and current tax status information are maintained by Toole County Treasurer at the same courthouse location. Montana law requires all real property transfers to be recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers.
Researchers can examine the grantor-grantee indices and tract indices to trace property ownership chains of title. Some GIS mapping functionality may be available through the Montana Cadastral database, though detailed parcel information often requires direct county office contact. Agricultural land patents, homestead records, and historical land entries can be researched through Bureau of Land Management records with county recorder files.
Vital Records
Vital records for Toole County, Montana, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees, are maintained at both Toole County and state levels. Toole County Clerk and Recorder, located at 226 1st Street South, Shelby, MT 59474, phone, issues marriage licenses for ceremonies performed within Toole County and maintains marriage records. Montana law requires couples to apply for marriage licenses in person, with a valid government-issued photo ID and Social Security number. There is no waiting period or blood test requirement in Montana.
- The current fee for certified birth or death certificates is $12.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
- Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail, though in-person requests at the state office in Helena may be processed same-day or next-day.
- VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor, offers expedited online ordering at vitalrecords.mt.gov with additional service fees.
- Death certificates follow similar request procedures with restrictions limiting access to immediate family members, legal representatives, and those demonstrating legal need.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Toole County are filed with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Statistics, located at 111 N Sanders, Room 209, Helena, MT 59604. Under Montana Code Annotated § 50-15-101 et seq, certified copies of birth certificates can be obtained by eligible applicants including the registrant, parents, legal guardian, legal representative, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest. Divorce decrees are obtained through the Clerk of District Court in Toole County at the courthouse address above.
Genealogical researchers seeking older vital records should note that Montana's privacy restrictions generally limit unrestricted access to records more than 100 years old for births and 50 years for deaths.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Toole County involves multiple levels of government oversight. For state-level business entity formation, the Montana Secretary of State Business Services Division maintains the central registry for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business structures. The Montana Business Registry can be searched online at sos.mt.gov/business, providing free access to business entity names, registered agents, filing dates, and status information.
- Foreign entities doing business in Montana must register through the Secretary of State's office as well.
- The City of Shelby maintains its own building inspection and permitting process for construction within city limits.
- Toole County Chamber of Commerce, serving the Shelby area, provides business networking and community economic information, though contact information should be verified through local sources.
At Toole County level, Toole County Clerk and Recorder at 226 1st Street South, Shelby, MT 59474, handles fictitious business name registrations (DBAs or "doing business as" names) and certain local business filings. Montana does not impose a state sales tax, so businesses do not need sales tax permits, though resort taxes may apply in specific municipalities. Professional and occupational licenses such as contractors, cosmetologists, and healthcare providers are regulated by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, with searchable databases available at boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are handled by Toole County Planning Department and individual municipalities within Toole County. Businesses involving alcohol sales require licensing through the Montana Department of Revenue Liquor Control Division. Agricultural operations, which dominate Toole County's economy, may require specific permits or registrations through the Montana Department of Agriculture or USDA agencies depending on operation type and scale.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Toole County, Montana, are administered by Toole County Clerk and Recorder, serving as the County Election Administrator, located at 226 1st Street South, Shelby, MT 59474 Voter registration in Montana is available online through the Montana Secretary of State website at sosmt.gov, in person at the County Election Office, by mail, or through designated voter registration agencies including the Montana Motor Vehicle Division.
- Registered voters in Toole County can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling place by contacting the County Election Office or using the Montana My Voter Page at app.mt.gov/voterinfo.
- Montana conducts elections primarily by mail ballot, with all registered voters automatically receiving a ballot approximately three weeks before each election.
Montana law requires voters to register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election, though same-day voter registration is available at Toole County election office during the late registration period. Voters may return completed ballots by mail (postmarked by Election Day), drop them at designated secure drop boxes, or deliver them in person to the election office. In-person voting is available at the County Election Office during business hours for the 30 days preceding Election Day.
Election records considered public under Montana law (MCA § 13-1-201) include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted), campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices, candidate filing documents, and certified election results by precinct. In the November 2024 general election, Toole County voter turnout was approximately 68-72%, consistent with Montana's historically strong rural voter participation rates. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring Montana's U.S.
Senate seat (Class II), Montana's at-large U.S. House seat, statewide offices including Governor if applicable to the cycle, state legislature positions for Senate District 14 and House District 27, and county-level offices including commissioners, sheriff, clerk and recorder, and other positions. Absentee ballots are automatically provided to all registered voters under Montana's universal mail ballot system, with options for electronic ballot delivery for military and overseas voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
Transparency in elections is supported by Montana's strong public records law, allowing citizens to request precinct-level vote totals, voter history files, and audit documentation, though individual ballot secrecy is strictly protected.
Economy & Demographics
Toole County's economy is fundamentally rooted in agriculture, energy production, and border trade handled by its strategic location along Interstate 15 and the Canadian border. Dryland wheat farming and cattle ranching constitute the backbone of agricultural activity, with thousands of acres devoted to cereal grain production including spring wheat, winter wheat, and barley adapted to Toole County's semi-arid climate. Toole County's agricultural output contributes significantly to Montana's status as a leading wheat-producing state.
- According to recent economic data, median household income in Toole County approximates $52,000-$58,000, somewhat below Montana's state median but reflecting the rural agricultural economy's cyclical nature.
Energy development, particularly oil and gas extraction from the Sweetgrass Arch and Kevin-Sunburst oil field, has historically provided substantial employment and tax revenue, though production has fluctuated with commodity prices. The Sweetgrass Port of Entry, located just north of Toole County line, generates economic activity through commercial trucking, customs brokerage, and cross-border trade between Montana and Alberta. Major employers include agricultural operations, school districts, county government, healthcare facilities including Marias Medical Center in Shelby, and transportation-related businesses.
Unemployment rates in Toole County typically track with agricultural seasons and energy sector activity. Recent economic development efforts have focused on diversifying beyond traditional agriculture and energy sectors, though Toole County's relatively small population and remote location present challenges. Toole County benefits from property tax revenue generated by energy infrastructure including pipelines and production facilities.
Tourism contributes modestly through travelers on I-15 and interest in the historic 1923 Dempsey-Gibbons boxing match heritage. Population decline and youth out-migration remain ongoing economic challenges common to rural Montana counties.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online Access | Property: Limited: In-Person/Phone Required | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: State Office/Mail | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Good Access | Overall Score: 5/10, Toole County maintains public records access consistent with Montana law, but limited online digital services require most requests through direct office contact.