Montana criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Montana state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of District Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Montana Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
Multi-state / federal check (FBI Identity History Summary): Returns records contributed by federal, state, local, and tribal agencies through the FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III). See FBI Identity History Summary FAQs and Interstate Identification Index (III).
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — Montana Criminal Records
The 4-Step Montana Criminal Records Pathway
Five Things People Get Wrong About Montana Criminal Records
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- dojmt.gov — Montana Department of Justice - DCI — Official Montana criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
- Montana Court Records →
- Montana Property Records →
- Montana Vital Records →
- Montana Voter Records →
- Montana Wants & Warrants →
- Montana Licenses →
- Montana Recorded Documents →
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Not sure who may legally check whom? The Montana background check guide explains the official routes, the court-record option, and your FCRA rights.
Looking for someone in custody right now? The Montana inmate search page collects the state, county, and federal locators in one place.
Criminal Records Databases
10 official Montana criminal records sources.
Criminal Records
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.
Which Montana counties publish jail rosters and sheriff records online
18 of Montana's 56 counties run their own online source for jail rosters and sheriff records, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official Montana background check?▼
Montana's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Montana Department of Justice - DCI. Begin the request at dojmt.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Montana statute.
Are Montana criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Montana is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Montana Department of Justice - DCI explains who can request what at dojmt.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Montana?▼
Can I get someone else's Montana criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Montana Department of Justice - DCI. The Montana Department of Justice - DCI documentation at dojmt.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Montana criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Montana criminal history, the Montana Department of Justice - DCI offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at dojmt.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.