Flathead County Court Records
What Is Flathead County Court Records
Court records in Flathead County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1002, these records constitute public information maintained by government agencies for the purpose of documenting official actions and proceedings.
Flathead County court records typically include:
- Case files containing pleadings, motions, and other filed documents
- Docket sheets listing chronological case events
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
- Sentencing and disposition records
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
- Probate and estate documentation
These records differ from other public records such as property deeds, birth certificates, and tax assessments, which are maintained by other county departments like the Clerk and Recorder's Office.
The following courts maintain records within Flathead County:
- Eleventh Judicial District Court (handles felonies, civil cases over $15,000, probate)
- Flathead County Justice Court (misdemeanors, civil cases under $15,000, small claims)
- Municipal Courts (city ordinance violations, misdemeanors within city limits)
- City Courts (traffic violations, misdemeanors within city limits)
The Montana Courts system provides oversight for all judicial records in the state, establishing uniform standards for record maintenance and public access.
Are Court Records Public In Flathead County
Court records in Flathead County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Montana Constitution Article II, Section 9, which establishes the public's "right to know" and examine government documents. Additionally, the Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1003 specifically mandates that government records, including court documents, shall be available for public inspection.
The following court records are typically available for public access:
- Civil case files (with limited exceptions for sealed cases)
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Court judgments and orders
- Docket sheets and case indices
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
- Probate and estate records
However, certain records may be restricted from public view, including:
- Juvenile proceedings (unless opened by court order)
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Cases sealed by judicial order
- Documents containing sensitive personal information
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana are governed by federal access rules rather than state regulations. The Montana Supreme Court has established specific rules regarding public access to court records through the Montana Supreme Court Administrator's Office.
How To Find Court Records in Flathead County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Flathead County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The county maintains both physical and digital repositories of court records, with varying procedures for retrieval.
To obtain court records in person:
- Identify the specific court that holds the desired records
- Visit the appropriate clerk's office during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form, providing case number or party names
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable copy fees ($0.50-$1.00 per page for standard copies)
- Wait for staff to retrieve the requested documents
Flathead County Clerk of District Court
920 S Main Street, Room 300
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5870
Flathead County Clerk of Court
For records requests by mail:
- Prepare a written request including case information and specific documents needed
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Enclose payment for estimated copy fees (contact clerk's office for current rates)
- Mail request to the appropriate court clerk's office
Electronic requests may be submitted through the Montana Courts Public Access Portal, which provides online access to certain court records. Users must register for an account and may be subject to access fees for some documents.
For certified copies of court documents, requestors must specifically indicate this requirement and pay additional certification fees (typically $2.00-$5.00 per document).
How To Look Up Court Records in Flathead County Online?
Flathead County residents and interested parties may access certain court records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital repositories offer convenient remote access to public judicial documents.
The primary online resources for Flathead County court records include:
-
Montana District Court Public Access Portal
- Accessible via the Montana Courts website
- Provides access to District Court cases filed in Flathead County
- Search by case number, party name, or filing date
- Registration required for full document access
- Some documents may require payment to view
-
Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal
- Covers Justice Court and Municipal Court records
- Search by citation number, case number, or party name
- Limited to basic case information and docket entries
- Full documents generally not available for download
-
Montana Supreme Court Docket Search
- Access appellate cases through the Supreme Court Docket system
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney
- Includes opinions, orders, and briefs for cases on appeal
- No registration required for basic searches
-
Federal PACER System
- For federal cases filed in the U.S. District Court for Montana
- Registration required with valid credit card
- Fee-based access ($0.10 per page, maximum $3.00 per document)
- Available through the U.S. District Court website
When using these online systems, users should note that:
- Not all court documents are available electronically
- Older cases may have limited online information
- Sealed or confidential cases will not appear in public searches
- Document availability varies by court and case type
How To Search Flathead County Court Records for Free?
Montana law provides for free public inspection of court records pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, which establishes the right to examine public records without charge. While obtaining copies typically involves fees, several no-cost options exist for reviewing Flathead County court records.
Free access methods include:
-
In-Person Inspection
- Visit the Flathead County Courthouse during regular business hours
- Request to view specific case files at the clerk's public counter
- No charge for examining records on-site
- Public access terminals available for self-service searching
-
Montana Courts Public Access Portal - Basic Searches
- The Montana Courts online system offers free basic case information
- Search by party name or case number at no charge
- View case status, scheduled hearings, and party information
- Document downloads may incur fees
-
Montana Supreme Court Docket
- Free access to appellate case information through the Supreme Court Docket Search
- Includes case status, parties, and scheduled proceedings
- Some opinions and orders available at no cost
-
Public Law Library Access
- The Flathead County Law Library provides free public access terminals
- Located within the Flathead County Justice Center
- Available during regular courthouse hours
- Staff assistance may be available for research guidance
When utilizing free access options, members of the public should note:
- Photo identification may be required for in-person record requests
- High-demand records may have waiting periods
- Staff assistance is limited and subject to availability
- Electronic access may require registration even for free searches
What's Included in a Flathead County Court Record?
Flathead County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings, with contents varying by case type and court jurisdiction. These records serve as the official account of judicial actions and decisions within the county court system.
District Court records typically include:
- Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments)
- Responsive pleadings (answers, motions to dismiss)
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Exhibits and evidence (as maintained by the court)
- Certificates of service
- Jury instructions and verdicts
- Sentencing documents (in criminal cases)
- Appeal notices and related filings
Justice Court and Municipal Court records generally contain:
- Citations and charging documents
- Appearance and plea information
- Judgment and sentencing orders
- Fine and fee payment records
- Docket entries documenting case events
- Correspondence between court and parties
Family law cases may additionally include:
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Child support calculations and orders
- Financial disclosure statements
- Dissolution decrees and property settlements
- Domestic violence protection orders
Probate records typically contain:
- Wills and testamentary documents
- Inventories of estate assets
- Claims against estates
- Distribution orders
- Guardian/conservator appointments and reports
Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 3-1-126, courts must maintain accurate records of all proceedings. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of documents, including social security numbers, financial account information, and certain personal identifiers.
How Long Does Flathead County Keep Court Records?
Flathead County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Montana Supreme Court Administrator's Office under authority granted by Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1103. These schedules vary by record type and significance, ensuring proper preservation of judicial documents.
Standard retention periods include:
- Felony Case Files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case closure
- Civil Case Files:
- General civil litigation: 10 years after final judgment
- Property/real estate matters: Permanent retention
- Domestic relations: 30 years after final judgment
- Probate Records: Permanent retention
- Small Claims Cases: 5 years after final disposition
- Traffic Violations: 3-5 years after case closure
- Court Dockets and Indices: Permanent retention
- Court Orders and Judgments: Permanent retention
- Exhibits: Returned to parties or destroyed after appeal period expires
- Grand Jury Records: Permanent retention (sealed)
Records designated for permanent retention are eventually transferred to the Montana State Archives for long-term preservation. The Montana Historical Society maintains these historical court documents and makes them available for research purposes.
Digital court records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper documents, with additional protocols for ensuring electronic preservation and accessibility. The Montana Courts Electronic Filing System maintains digital records according to the established retention schedule.
Parties seeking older records that may have been transferred to archives should contact:
Montana Historical Society Research Center
225 North Roberts Street
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-2681
Montana Historical Society
Types of Courts In Flathead County
Flathead County's judicial system consists of several court levels, each with distinct jurisdictions and authority. These courts operate within Montana's unified court system under the administrative oversight of the Montana Supreme Court.
Eleventh Judicial District Court
920 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5906
Flathead County District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The District Court serves as the court of general jurisdiction, handling felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $15,000, probate proceedings, family law cases, and appeals from lower courts. Four judges currently preside over this court.
Flathead County Justice Court
920 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5680
Flathead County Justice Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Justice Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $15,000, small claims up to $7,000, landlord-tenant disputes, protection orders, and preliminary proceedings in felony cases.
Kalispell Municipal Court
312 First Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-7715
Kalispell Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Municipal Court has jurisdiction over city ordinance violations, misdemeanors committed within city limits, and traffic infractions occurring in Kalispell.
Columbia Falls City Court
130 6th Street West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-4451
Columbia Falls City Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Whitefish City Court
275 Flathead Avenue
Whitefish, MT 59937
(406) 863-2440
Whitefish City Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
City Courts handle traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and certain misdemeanors occurring within their respective city limits.
Appeals from Justice and Municipal/City Courts proceed to District Court for de novo review. District Court decisions may be appealed to the Montana Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority in the state.
What Types of Cases Do Flathead County Courts Hear?
Flathead County's court system adjudicates a diverse range of legal matters, with jurisdiction divided among various courts based on case type, severity, and monetary value. Each court within the county handles specific categories of cases as prescribed by Montana law.
The Eleventh Judicial District Court processes:
- Felony criminal prosecutions (assault, theft, homicide, drug offenses)
- Civil litigation exceeding $15,000 in damages
- Real property disputes and foreclosures
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
- Divorce, custody, and family law matters
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health commitments
- Appeals from lower courts
- Juvenile delinquency and youth in need of care cases
- Complex commercial litigation
Flathead County Justice Court handles:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases (DUI, simple assault, theft under $1,500)
- Civil actions up to $15,000
- Small claims proceedings up to $7,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes and evictions
- Protection and restraining orders
- Fish and game violations
- Initial appearances and preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Traffic violations in unincorporated areas
Municipal and City Courts adjudicate:
- City ordinance violations
- Misdemeanors occurring within city limits
- Traffic infractions within city boundaries
- Parking violations
- Animal control violations
- Nuisance complaints
- City code enforcement matters
The Montana Water Court, which has statewide jurisdiction but impacts Flathead County, adjudicates:
- Water rights claims
- Water distribution disputes
- Stream access issues
Specialized problem-solving courts in Flathead County include:
- Drug Treatment Court
- Veterans Treatment Court
- Mental Health Treatment Court
These courts operate under the authority of the District Court but utilize alternative approaches focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment for qualifying offenders.
How To Find a Court Docket In Flathead County
Court dockets in Flathead County provide chronological listings of scheduled hearings, filings, and judicial actions for specific cases. These public records allow interested parties to track case progress and determine upcoming court dates. Multiple methods exist for accessing docket information within the county.
To access court dockets electronically:
-
Montana District Court Public Access Portal
- Visit the Montana Courts online portal
- Register for a user account if accessing for the first time
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney
- Select the desired case to view docket entries
- Note that some documents linked in docket entries may require payment
-
Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Portal
- Access Justice Court and Municipal Court dockets
- Search by citation number or party name
- View scheduled hearings and case status updates
-
Montana Supreme Court Docket Search
- For appellate cases, use the Supreme Court docket system
- Search by case number or party name
- View briefs, orders, and scheduled arguments
For in-person docket access:
- Visit the clerk's office for the relevant court
- Request to view the docket for a specific case or court calendar
- Provide case number or party names to facilitate search
- Review docket information at public terminals or with clerk assistance
Flathead County Clerk of District Court
920 S Main Street, Room 300
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5870
Daily court calendars listing scheduled hearings are typically posted:
- On bulletin boards near courtrooms
- At clerk's office public counters
- On the Flathead County Clerk of Court website
Attorneys registered with the court's electronic filing system receive automatic docket updates for their cases through the Montana Courts E-Filing System. Members of the public seeking regular docket updates may need to check periodically, as automated notification services are generally limited to case participants.
Which Courts in Flathead County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Flathead County, certain courts operate as "courts not of record," meaning they do not maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings and appeals from these courts result in entirely new trials (de novo review) rather than reviews of the existing record. This distinction is established by Montana Code Annotated § 3-1-102, which defines courts of record and their requirements.
The following Flathead County courts function as courts not of record:
-
Flathead County Justice Court
- Handles misdemeanors, small claims, civil matters up to $15,000
- Proceedings are not transcribed by court reporters
- Appeals to District Court result in completely new trials
- Audio recordings may be maintained but are not official transcripts
-
Kalispell Municipal Court
- Adjudicates city ordinance violations and misdemeanors
- No verbatim transcript of proceedings is created
- Appeals proceed to District Court for de novo review
-
Columbia Falls City Court
- Processes traffic violations and city ordinance infractions
- No court reporter or transcript of proceedings
- Appeals result in new trials at the District Court level
-
Whitefish City Court
- Handles municipal violations and misdemeanors
- No official record of testimony or proceedings
- Appeals heard as new cases in District Court
In contrast, the Eleventh Judicial District Court is a court of record, maintaining verbatim transcripts of all proceedings through court reporters or digital recording systems. Appeals from District Court to the Montana Supreme Court are based on review of this official record rather than new trials.
The practical implications of a court not being "of record" include:
- Less formal procedural requirements
- Simplified rules of evidence
- No court reporters present during proceedings
- Complete retrial if case is appealed
- No binding precedential value of decisions
Parties appearing in courts not of record should understand that if they wish to preserve specific testimony or arguments, they may need to arrange for their own recording or documentation, subject to court approval.
Lookup Court Records in Flathead County
Montana District Court Public Access Portal
Flathead County Public Records
Montana Courts Official Website
Flathead County Clerk of Court