Searching Yellowstone County: what to expect
Searches in Yellowstone County run on two layers: a few county-run sources (3 below) and Montana's statewide databases for everything else. For cases, go straight to yellowstonecountymt.gov: Montana courts search county by county, and that's Yellowstone County's entry point. Locally, crdocs.yellowstonecountymt.gov takes care of parcel and property-tax data, while co.yellowstone.mt.gov covers the election side. For recorded documents there's no county-level source online — the statewide routes on the Montana recorded documents page cover that piece.
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by SearchSystems Editorial Team — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Yellowstone County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Montana state publishers on the review date. 7 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Yellowstone County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Yellowstone County, Montana — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
171,583
Population
Census estimate
67,897
Households
Census estimate
$72,300
Median income
Annual household
$289,300
Median home value
Census ACS
Billings
County seat
In Montana
Criminal records
1 source
Court records
3 sources
Wants & warrants
2 sources
Property records
3 sources
Vital records
see state portal
Voter records
2 sources
Professional licenses
2 sources
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Yellowstone County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Yellowstone County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | Yellowstone County Yellowstone County, Montana - Sex & Violent Offender Reg… |
| Criminal records | Yellowstone County, Montana Criminal Records | YellowstoneRe… |
| Wants & warrants | Yellowstone County Sheriff Office, MT, Arrest Warrants Searc… Yellowstone County, Montana |
| Property records | Yellowstone County - Disclaimer Yellowstone County, Montana |
| Vital records | |
| Voter records | Yellowstone County, Montana Elections |
| Professional licenses | Yellowstone County, Montana - Clerk & Recorder Background Checks – Montana Department of Justice |
| Recorded documents | Yellowstone County, Montana Yellowstone County Provisional Count UNOFFICIAL RESULTS Summary Results Report |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Yellowstone County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Yellowstone County Records
2026
Yellowstone County official government portal active
The official Yellowstone County government website at www.yellowstonecountymt.gov continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Yellowstone County court records portal verified
State court system links for Yellowstone County verified against the Montana judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Yellowstone County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Yellowstone County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Yellowstone County property records online
Yellowstone County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
The 4-Step Yellowstone County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Yellowstone County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Yellowstone County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Montana statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Montana state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Yellowstone County Records
MYTH"Yellowstone County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Yellowstone County are held by the Montana state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Yellowstone County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have Yellowstone County data."
FACTOnly the official Montana state repository has verified, current Yellowstone County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Yellowstone County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Yellowstone County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.yellowstonecountymt.gov — Official Yellowstone County government website
- courts.mt.gov — Court records — official source
- yellowstonerecords.us — Criminal records — official source
- crdocs.yellowstonecountymt.gov — Property records — official source
- www.co.yellowstone.mt.gov — Voter records — official source
- dojmt.gov — Licenses — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Yellowstone County & Montana Records
For records not specific to Yellowstone County, use Montana's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Montana statewide record systems:
- Montana Court Records →
- Montana Criminal Records →
- Montana Property Records →
- Montana Vital Records →
- Montana Voter Records →
- Montana Wants & Warrants →
- Montana Licenses →
- Montana Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Montana statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
Shortcuts for the most common Yellowstone County lookups:
About Yellowstone County, Montana
Yellowstone County is located in south-central Montana. The county seat is Billings (official site: https://www.yellowstonecountymt.gov/).
- Population: 171,583
- Households: 67,897
- Median household income: $72,300
- Median home value: $289,300
- Below poverty line: 10.7%
- Land area: 2,633.4 sq mi
- Population density: 65.2 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 3
- NCES schools indexed: 59
Yellowstone County
Official Free
Court case information for Yellowstone County, Montana. Dockets list every filing and hearing, usually enough to follow a case without ordering documents. For copies the site doesn't display, the clerk fills requests at a per-page rate.
Yellowstone County, Montana - Sex & Violent Offender Registry
Official Free
For questions regarding this Registry, please contact the Yellowstone County Sex/Violent Offender Registry in the Detective Division of the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office at 256-2939 or by email at svor@yellowstonecountymt.gov. Please use https://dojmt.gov/sexual-or-violent-offender-registry/.
Yellowstone County Resource Guide
Criminal & Court Records
.gov
Court case information for Yellowstone County, Montana. Dockets list every filing and hearing, usually enough to follow a case without ordering documents. For copies the site doesn't display, the clerk fills requests at a per-page rate.
Yellowstone County - Disclaimer
Official Free
Searching the index is free. As you view documents, registered users have the ability to purchase individual document images from the image viewing screen. Purchasing an annual subscription for this site allows you to view and print unlimited images · To purchase a one year subscription to.
Yellowstone County, Montana
Official Free
Official site for Yellowstone County, Montana. Find information on property records, public notices, job openings, law enforcement careers, and courthouse services in Billings, MT.
Property Record Card - Montana Online Services
Official Free
To access your property information, enter a property number, assessment code, name, or address in the search box above · TIP: After entering a search term, select a county to improve search speed
Yellowstone County, Montana
Official Free
Official site for Yellowstone County, Montana. Find information on property records, public notices, job openings, law enforcement careers, and courthouse services in Billings, MT.
Yellowstone County, Montana
Official Free
This is where Yellowstone County handles voter registration records and election operations. If a link breaks, the office homepage at co.yellowstone.mt.gov carries the new path.
Elections
Official Free
This is where Yellowstone County handles voter registration records and election operations. It is an official government source.
File for Office - Official Montana Secretary of State Website - Christi Jacobsen
Official Free
Upon request, the Secretary of State's Office shall furnish available extracts and reports from the statewide voter registration system. Find answers and resources for FAQs regarding elections in Montana.
Yellowstone County, Montana - Clerk & Recorder
Official Free
The Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder is pleased to introduce our new public document search and subscription service. Over the past 7 years, Yellowstone County has contracted with the State of Montana to administrate our current subscription service. Due to recent upgrades to our software.
Background Checks – Montana Department of Justice
Official Free
Your Content Goes Here Background checks, sometimes known as records checks or criminal history checks, are available to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the general public.
Montana | Professional License Lookup
Official Free
Montana's professional and occupational license search from the Department of Labor and Industry — verify status and discipline for licensed trades and professions statewide.
Yellowstone County Inmates
Official Free
Current inmate roster for Yellowstone County, Montana, published by the sheriff's office. It reflects this facility only — a transfer to another county drops the name from this list.
Yellowstone County, Montana
Official Free
The fees are significant and any property owner should show caution when an unknown entity solicits property records. You can receive a copy of your deed and other real estate related documents at the County Clerk and Recorder’s office.
Provisional Count UNOFFICIAL RESULTS Summary Results Report
Official Free
Voter registration and election information for Yellowstone County, Montana. District assignments here settle which races you actually vote in. Election offices update the file continuously; a lookup today reflects the live roll.
Montana | Registered Agent List
Business, Voter & Other
.gov
Montana's list of commercial registered agents on file with the Secretary of State — the parties authorized to accept service for business entities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Yellowstone County?
Yellowstone County court cases are searchable through the Yellowstone County portal: https://courts.mt.gov/external/mediation/forall/yellowstone.docx. Montana also operates a state-level case lookup through the Montana Courts system. For federal matters, see PACER.
Does an active warrant show up on a background check in Montana?
Yes. Active warrants in Montana appear on name-based criminal background checks through the Montana Department of Justice system the moment they are entered. Some employers also run a separate NCIC warrant query, which catches federal warrants as well.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in Montana?
In Montana, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by Montana law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
Are Yellowstone County records free to search?
Yes — every link on this page goes to an official government source. Basic searches are free. Certified copies and formal background checks carry the standard government fee.