Recorded documents in Montana — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the Clerk and Recorder in each county.
What this page covers: Montana recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the Clerk and Recorder in the county where the property is located. Many county clerk and recorders offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
Montana Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)
What Changed in 2026 — Montana Recorded Documents
The 5-Type Montana Recorded Documents Map
Five Things People Get Wrong About Montana Recorded Documents
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- sos.mt.gov — Official Montana Recorded Documents — State portal for Montana recorded documents
- NASS UCC Filings overview — National Association of Secretaries of State
- National Archives — Military Records (DD-214) — National Personnel Records Center
- IRS Federal Tax Liens — Federal lien procedures
- HUD Recording Basics — Federal property recording basics
- USA.gov — Government Records — Federal record retrieval portal
- data.gov — Assessor datasets — Federal-cataloged county data
Related Recorded Documents Resources
- Montana Court Records →
- Montana Criminal Records →
- Montana Property Records →
- Montana Vital Records →
- Montana Voter Records →
- Montana Wants & Warrants →
- Montana Licenses →
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Recorded Documents Databases
15 official Montana recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Montana Counties
56 Montana counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in Montana?▼
In Montana, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official Montana Recorded Documents at sos.mt.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in Montana?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official Montana Recorded Documents at sos.mt.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are Montana recorded documents available online?▼
Most Montana countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official Montana Recorded Documents at sos.mt.gov.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a Montana recorded deed?▼
Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official Montana Recorded Documents (sos.mt.gov) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.
What's the difference between a deed and a title in Montana?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in Montana are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official Montana Recorded Documents at sos.mt.gov publishes the statewide rules.