Court records of Lewis and Clark County, Montana, are available through several channels. LewisandClarkCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be viewed through official state online portals, directly at the court clerk's office, or at public terminals in the courthouse in Helena.
Lewis and Clark Court System & Jurisdictions
Lewis and Clark County is part of the First Judicial District of Montana. The District Court handles the broadest range of cases—from serious criminal charges to civil claims without monetary limits, as well as guardianship, adoption, and probate cases (probate is the judicial process of distributing a deceased person's estate).
The Helena Municipal Court and the Justice Court handle less serious categories:
- Traffic and parking violations
- Misdemeanors—petty theft, vandalism, disorderly conduct
- Small claims—up to $7,000
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases before transferring to District Court
Family cases—divorces, division of marital property, paternity determination—are handled by the District Court. Forms and step-by-step instructions for such cases are available on the Judicial Branch page on marriage dissolution.
Understanding jurisdiction is critically important: if you are looking for a speeding ticket case, start with the Justice Court or Municipal Court, not the District Court.
Lewis and Clark Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The District Court schedule is published through the Montana Public Access Portal. On this portal, you can view scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week by entering a party's name or case number.
For limited jurisdiction courts (Justice Court, Municipal Court), calendars are usually available on the same portal in a separate section. If the required information is not displayed online, contact the clerk's office directly:
Lewis and Clark County District Court (Clerk of District Court)
The clerk's office will confirm the date and time of the hearing, room number, and judge's name. Public terminals in the court lobby allow you to view the schedule without registration.
How to Get a Copy of a Lewis and Clark Court Document
There are three ways to obtain a copy of a court document.
- Online. Through the public access portal, you can view the case register and, in some cases, download documents. Not all documents are available for download—protected or sealed materials are not displayed.
- In person. Visit the Clerk of District Court's office at the address above. Request a regular (uncertified) or certified copy. A certified copy bears the court's seal and confirms authenticity—it is required by banks, immigration services, and other courts.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, parties' names, and type of document. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Records related to minors, adoption cases, and some psychiatric evaluations are generally closed to public access. Ask the clerk if there are restrictions on a specific document.
To search for recorded county documents—deeds, mortgages, easements—use the Lewis & Clark County Document Search system, which covers records from 1865.
Lewis and Clark Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents are set by Montana law (specifically, MCA § 25-1-201 and administrative orders of the state's Supreme Court). Below are typical rates:
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Case register search (by name) | Free through the online portal |
| Regular copy of a document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy | $2.00 for certification + cost of copies |
| Copy of court judgment or order | $0.50 per page |
| Criminal history search (through DOJ) | Depends on the type of check |
These amounts may change. Confirm current rates directly with the court clerk's office before sending payment by mail.
Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to "Clerk of District Court." Some clerk's offices also accept credit and debit cards—ask in advance.
For a state-level criminal history check, contact the Montana Department of Justice. Information on individuals under correctional supervision can be found through the Offender Search of the Department of Corrections.