About Townsend

Townsend, Montana is a community in Broadwater County, Montana. This page consolidates verified public records resources for Townsend, including law enforcement, court, vital, property, and government records.

Townsend is located in Broadwater County, Montana and had a recorded population of approximately 2,232 at the last census. County and state agencies serving Broadwater County are the primary source for most government records affecting Townsend residents.

Law enforcement in Townsend is served by Townsend Police Department and Broadwater County Sheriff's Office. Arrest records, booking information, and incident reports are maintained by these agencies and can usually be requested in person, by mail, or via online portals where available.

Court case records for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters in Broadwater County are maintained by the county trial court of general jurisdiction and, where applicable, by municipal or district courts. Statewide court case search tools published by the Montana Judicial Branch can also be used to locate cases.

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates for Townsend residents are issued through the Montana Office of Vital Records, with local copies often available through the Broadwater County Clerk's office. Real-property records (deeds, mortgages, liens) and parcel assessments are recorded with the county Clerk and Recorder and the county Treasurer.

Most government records held by Montana agencies are accessible under the Montana Constitution Article II Section 9, which sets a response window of a reasonable time and requires agencies to publish procedures for written records requests. Certain records (juvenile, sealed, victim, and active investigation records) may be withheld or redacted under statutory exemptions.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Townsend

Townsend Police Department

The Townsend Police Department provides specialized or “detail” services pursuant to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Townsend and AFSCME Council 93, Local 3470 who represents our police officers.

https://www.townsendpd.org/

Broadwater County Sheriff's Office

Our office provides public service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to our urban and rural communities. Home to approximately 6,000 residents, our 1,239 square mile county lies between the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. With four major Montana highways in the co

https://www.broadwatercountysheriff.org/

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Townsend

Broadwater County-Montana

Broadwater County Courthouse 515 Broadway St. Townsend, MT 59644 United States. Broadwater County Clerk and Recorder, Angie Paulsen, is an elected county official. County Clerk and Recorders are established by the Constitution of Montana.

🔗 https://www.broadwatercountymt.gov/departments/government/clerk_recorder/index.php

🏠 Property & Public Records in Townsend

Broadwater County-Montana

Public Records & Services in Townsend

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 Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana are administered by the local school district. School performance data, enrollment information, and district boundaries are available through the Montana Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.

Crime Data & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana is maintained by local law enforcement agencies and reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime statistics through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting the Townsend police department or the Broadwater 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 Townsend Public Library provides access to public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. The Broadwater County library system may offer additional resources. Contact the library for 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 Townsend, Montana residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized providers in Broadwater County. Services cover background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening. Contact the Townsend Police Department or Broadwater County Sheriff's Office for scheduling and fees.

About Townsend — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

The Broadwater County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing arrestees and those serving short-term sentences. During booking, detainees are photographed, fingerprinted, and have their personal information recorded into the system. The public can access inmate lookup services to search for current detainees held at the facility. Visitation follows strict facility-specific rules, and visitors must schedule appointments in advance. Bond and bail procedures follow Montana state laws, allowing individuals to secure release pending trial by posting the required amount.

Arrest Records

The Broadwater County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for Broadwater County. These documents capture details of each arrest, the charges involved, and personal information about those taken into custody. Residents and attorneys seeking arrest records can contact the Sheriff's Office directly and follow procedures outlined under the Montana Public Records Act. Each record typically includes the arrest date, charges filed, and which agency made the arrest.

Criminal Records

The criminal records ecosystem in Broadwater County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Montana Department of Justice also helps with compiling and disseminating criminal information statewide, offering resources for more extensive background checks.

Vital Records

Vital records for Townsend residents, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, can be obtained from the Broadwater County Courthouse (104 W 3rd St, Townsend, MT 59644). The courthouse maintains these important documents and provides certified copies to individuals who request them. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website.

Business & Licensing Records

Business related public records for Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana are housed at the Broadwater County Clerk and Recorder's Office, located at 104 W 3rd St, Townsend, MT 59644. This office maintains records of local business licenses, registrations, and other commercial documents. For statewide business filings such as articles of incorporation and annual reports, the Montana Secretary of State's office at P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-2801, provides access to those records.

Economy & Demographics

Economic and employment-related public records for Townsend, Montana can be found through various state and local agencies. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry (P.O. Box 1728, Helena, MT 59624-1728) maintains records on employment, unemployment, and workforce development. The Broadwater County Economic Development Corporation (104 W 3rd St, Townsend, MT 59644) also provides information on the local economy and business development initiatives.

Elections & Voter Records

The Broadwater County Clerk and Recorder serves as Election Administrator for Townsend voters, managing every aspect of the electoral process. Located at the Broadwater County Courthouse, 515 Broadway Street, Townsend, MT 59644, the office can be reached at (406) 266-9272. Responsibilities include voter registration, absentee ballot distribution, polling place operations, ballot counting, and certifying results for all federal, state, county, and municipal elections affecting residents.
Montana voters can register online through the Montana Secretary of State's website at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote/ using the Online Voter Registration system. Registration deadlines are noon the day before Election Day for online registration, or by mail received by the Broadwater County election office by close of business the day before Election Day. The state offers same-day voter registration at polling places and county election offices on Election Day. Voters must provide proof of Montana residency and identification, including a Montana driver's license, tribal ID, current student ID, or current utility bill showing name and address. The Town of Townsend conducts municipal elections for mayor and town council positions, typically held in odd-numbered years during November alongside other Montana local elections. Candidate filing and information about local ballot measures can be obtained from the Town of Townsend offices at 307 Broadway Street, phone (406) 266-3231, and from the Broadwater County Election Administrator. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by contacting the Broadwater County Election Office at (406) 266-9272 or by using the polling place locator on the Montana Secretary of State website at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/. The county typically operates consolidated polling places, with the main Election Day voting location historically at the Broadwater County Courthouse or nearby community facilities in the area. Montana provides extensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists are available for purchase by political committees and certain other entities under MCA 13-2-110, though individual voter information is protected. Campaign finance disclosures are publicly searchable through the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices at https://campaignfinance.mt.gov/, showing contributions and expenditures for candidates and political committees. Candidate filings, including declarations of candidacy and financial reports, are public records maintained by the County Election Administrator and the Secretary of State. Precinct-level election results are published by the county and compiled statewide by the Secretary of State at https://sosmt.gov/elections/results/. Montana will elect a U.S. A U.S. Representative race will also appear, with Broadwater County situated in District 2 of Montana's two congressional districts. Statewide executive officers up for election include the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and Superintendent of Public Instruction, all serving four-year terms. Montana State Legislature elections will include state senate and house districts covering the county, with all 100 House seats and half of the 50 Senate seats up for election. County-level races may include Broadwater County Commissioner seats, Sheriff, County Attorney, Clerk and Recorder, Montana Department of Revenue, and other county offices depending on term schedules. Townsend municipal races would appear on the 2025 ballot rather than 2026. Montana offers mail-in absentee voting without requiring an excuse. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot from the Broadwater County Election Administrator by submitting a written, signed request. Forms are available at https://sosmt.gov/elections/absentee/ or from the Broadwater County office. Absentee ballot requests must be received by noon the day before Election Day, though earlier requests are encouraged. The state allows certain elections to be conducted entirely by mail ballot. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail, postmarked by Election Day, or delivered in person to the Broadwater County election office by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

Public Records Resources for Townsend, Montana

Official government websites for Townsend, Montana and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov, .us, or .mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or .com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.

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StateMontana
CountyBroadwater
Population2,232
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Frequently Asked Questions

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