Flathead County, Montana Court Records
Flathead County court records are the official documents created and maintained during county court proceedings. These records cover criminal, civil, probate, family, traffic, and other matters filed before the courts. Per Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-501, the Clerk of the District Court is the main custodian of these records.
Court records usually get linked to other public files. For example, a criminal case file may contain a police arrest record. Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and adoption records may also be used and referenced in probate and family court proceedings.
Are Flathead County Court Records Public?
Yes. Flathead County court records are generally open to the public. The public can review files of public agencies, including courts, under Article II, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution.
While court documents are mainly accessible to the public, some records or parts of records may not be available to protect sensitive information or ensure privacy:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile records
- Court-sealed documents
- Mental health records
- Information that identifies victims of crime
- Restricted probate files
What Information is Available in Flathead County Court Records?
Flathead County court records contain the following details:
- Names of persons involved in court cases.
- Lists of newly filed cases with party names.
- A record showing every document added to a case.
- Court schedules, hearing dates, and case calendars.
- Case numbers, case titles, and court hearing locations.
- Final court decisions, signed orders, and official case results.
Flathead County Court Records Search
The District Court, Justice Court, and city courts manage Flathead County court documents. A requestor should be aware of the type of record required and the court that possesses it in order to conduct an effective search. These courts provide options to obtain records via mail, phone, in-person, and online:
Online Access
- The District Court's Public Access Portal allows users to see District Court records online. A remote search can be done by case number or name. Judge orders, hearing dates, and filed documents are all listed on the portal, which is updated every day. However, copies can only be obtained by emailing the clerk's office. Users should note that this system does not display adoption, juvenile, paternity, or sealed records.
- The Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal is the online resource for viewing Justice Court, traffic, and small claims records.
In-Person Access
- Requestors may search records directly at the correct courthouse.
- The Clerk of District Court, located at the Flathead County Justice Center in Kalispell, offers free computer terminals to view open, non-sealed case files. Work hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- The Justice Court, also in the Justice Center, allows free index searches at the front counter. To obtain copies, complete and submit the appropriate form. The court's designated webpage provides all the required forms for requestors. A fee is required.
- Whitefish Municipal Court does not offer public search computers. Requests require the completion and submission of paper forms on-site, and only cash, checks, or money orders are accepted.
- Columbia Falls City Court is closed on Friday.
Mail and Phone Requests
Written requests for District Court records processing take three to five business days. More inquiries can be made by phone at (406) 758-5870. Written requests should be addressed to:
The Clerk of the District Court
920 South Main
Suite 300
Kalispell, MT 59901
- Justice Court requests need the appropriate form, mailed or emailed. Further inquiries can be made by phone at (406) 758-5643.
- Municipal court requests go directly to each city clerk by phone or email.
Fees for Court Records in Flathead County
Viewing Flathead County court records costs nothing. Fees apply only when staff assist in the records search, print copies, or mail the records to the requestor:
- Paper copies from the District Court cost $1.00 per page for the first 10 pages and $0.50 per page after that.
- Electronic copies sent by email or fax cost $0.25 per page.
- Staff-assisted record searches cost $2.00 per name per year for the first 7 years, then $1.00 per name per year thereafter.
- Certified copies require an additional $2.00 certification fee.
- More complex authenticated copies cost $6.00.
Flathead County Courthouse Location
The Flathead County court network comprises one District Court, one Justice Court, and three municipal or city courts. Below are all the courthouse addresses and contact information:
Flathead County District Court
Flathead County Justice Center
920 South Main Street, Suite 310
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-6242
935 1st Avenue West
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-5643
Kalispell Municipal Court
312 1st Avenue
East Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7705
Columbia Falls City Court
Columbia Falls City Hall
130 6th Street West, P.O. Box 2735
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Phone: (406) 892-4340
275 Flathead Avenue, P.O. Box 158
Whitefish, MT 59937
Phone: (406) 863-2440
Criminal Records Access in Flathead County
The Flathead County courts do not handle official, state-level criminal history checks. The Montana Department of Justice handles such through its Criminal Records and Identification Services section.
The county courts, however, hold local criminal case records. These records can be accessed through the following channels:
- Online Portals: The District Court uses an online search system for case records. The Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal covers Justice Court information, as well as traffic and small claims cases.
- In-Person Searches: Public terminals at some courthouse locations help the public make self-service searches. Courthouse staff members are available to assist with searches or case questions.
Flathead County Probate Records
Probate records are court documents that detail the administration of trusts, the protection of minors or incapacitated individuals, and the settlement of a deceased person's inheritance (Montana Uniform Probate Code, Title 72, MCA). These documents are maintained by the Flathead County District Court Clerk. Also, online searches of public probate documents, including new filings, are possible through the District Court's online search portal. Users should, however, note that adoption and abuse information are restricted and cannot be accessed through this online system.
Common types include:
- Wills: these documents allocate the distribution of a deceased person's property.
- Trusts: these document arrangements made to manage property after death.
- Guardianships: court orders that designate a caregiver for a child or an incapacitated individual (MCA Title 72, Chapter 5, Parts 2 and 3).
- Conservatorships are court-mandated agreements that designate a person to manage or oversee another person's assets and finances.
|
County |
Court Name |
Address |
Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Flathead County |
Flathead County District Court |
Flathead County Justice Center |
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Flathead County Family Court Records
While some Flathead family court records are publicly accessible, some are kept confidential to safeguard children and sensitive information:
- Adoption: According to MCA Section 42-6-101, all hearings and records are not public records.
- Divorce: Divorce records are public. The Clerk of District Court maintains all filings and final decrees. Social Security numbers and other sensitive information are not public (MCA § 25-20-202).
- Child support and paternity: The final decision is made public, although hearings are kept confidential (MCA § 40-6-120).
- Custody and parenting plans: In order to safeguard a child's welfare, courts may seal specific documents (MCA § 40-4-216).
Records can be accessed by requestors at the courthouse or online:
- Online: Free searches by name or case number are available on the District Court's web portal. Online access is not available for paternity, adoption, or sealed cases.
- Courthouse: The District Court Clerk holds family court records. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Certified copies: Requests may be made by mail, email, or in person, subject to a fee.
Federal Court Records in Flathead County
Federal records include cases from the United States District Court, like bankruptcy filings, federal crimes, and lawsuits between people from different states. These records are not the same as state or county court files.
Federal case records can be viewed and searched online by requestors using any of the following methods:
- PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records): a countrywide system that requires an account and a small fee per page.
- An in-person visit to the relevant Federal Clerk of Court office, where employees can assist in finding and printing the needed federal court records.
