Judith Basin Court Records include civil lawsuits, criminal actions, probate filings, adoptions, marriage licenses, and dissolution documents held by the Clerk of District Court, plus property deeds, mortgages, land transfer documents, certificates of survey, subdivision plats, vital statistics, and election records maintained by the Clerk and Recorder. Justice Court records cover misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic citations. People searching for Judith Basin County Montana court records can choose between an online case search through the Montana Judicial Branch portal and an in-person visit to the courthouse at 91 Third Street North in Stanford. The official county website at jbcountymt.gov lists current office responsibilities, hours, and phone extensions so users can confirm which office holds the file they need before traveling. This split between District Court, Justice Court, and Clerk and Recorder often confuses first-time requesters who assume one office holds every filing produced in the county. Knowing the difference saves time and prevents the frustration of visiting the wrong floor.
Judith Basin Court Records can be retrieved through three reliable channels: the Montana Judicial Branch online portal, the public access terminal inside the courthouse, and direct requests to the Clerk of District Court, Justice Court, or Clerk and Recorder. A Judith Basin County court case lookup by name works best when you have the full legal spelling, an approximate filing year, and the case type — civil, criminal, probate, or traffic — since common surnames often return many matches. Searches by case number give faster, cleaner results when the number is known. The Clerk of District Court on the Ground Floor handles district-level filings, and the Justice Court on the Third Floor hears misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic citations, with appearances set for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 427, Stanford, MT 59479, and the main line at (406) 566-2277 connects every office. The Clerk and Recorder, led by Amanda H. Kelly, sits on the Second Floor and holds deeds, mortgages, and vital statistics for separate requests.
How to Access Case Information Online
Judith Basin Court Records are managed by the Clerk of District Court, the Clerk & Recorder, and the Justice Court in Stanford, Montana. The official county website, jbcountymt.gov, lists each office, its location, and its phone number, but it does not host a public search portal for case dockets. People who need to look up a case file can call the county switchboard at 406-566-2277, visit the courthouse in person, or send a written request to the relevant clerk’s office.
For a Judith Basin County court case lookup, a requester should contact the clerk that holds the file. The Clerk of District Court on the ground floor of the courthouse holds district court files, which include civil lawsuits, criminal actions, probate, adoptions, marriage licenses, and dissolution records. The Clerk & Recorder on the second floor holds property records, birth and death records, voter registration, and election records. The Justice Court on the third floor holds misdemeanor, traffic, and small civil files.
Phone calls are the fastest way to start a Judith Basin County court records search. The clerk can tell a requester what forms to fill out, what ID to bring, and what fees apply. For a Judith Basin County court case search by name, a full name and the year of the case help the clerk find the right file. A case number makes the search faster, but it is not required. The clerk can also search by either party name, which makes a Judith Basin County court records by defendant or Judith Basin County court records by plaintiff request a simple process.
Types of Cases Handled by the Court
The courts in Judith Basin County handle civil, criminal, family, and property matters through three separate offices. The type of case decides which office holds the file and which clerk can help with a Judith Basin County court records search.
District court cases include serious criminal cases, civil lawsuits, probate, adoptions, marriage licenses, and divorce records. Justice court cases include minor criminal cases, small civil claims, and traffic offenses. The Clerk & Recorder holds land records, birth and death certificates, and election records. FamilySearch notes that the county was created on December 10, 1920, and that the Clerk of Courts has held marriage, divorce, probate, and other court records since that year. The Clerk & Recorder has held birth, death, and land records from the same year.
For a Judith Basin County court case search by name, a requester should know the full name of the party, the type of case, and the year the case was filed. A case number makes the search faster, but it is not required. The clerk can search by either party name, which makes a Judith Basin County court records by defendant or Judith Basin County court records by plaintiff request a simple process.
Court Departments and Services
Three court-related offices operate from the Judith Basin County Courthouse in Stanford. Each office sits on a different floor, and each one keeps a different set of records. A Judith Basin County court record request usually starts with a phone call to the correct office.
The Clerk of District Court sits on the ground floor of the courthouse at 91 Third Street North. This office files civil lawsuits, criminal actions, probate, adoptions, marriage licenses, dissolution records, and passport applications. Records held here include marriage, divorce, probate, and other court files. The main county phone number is 406-566-2277, and the fax line is 406-566-2211.
The Clerk & Recorder office sits on the second floor of the same building. This office is the official records center for Judith Basin County, maintaining records of property ownership (deeds, mortgages, land transfer documents, certificates of survey, and subdivision plats), birth and death records, voter registration, and elections. The mailing address is P.O. Box 427, Stanford, MT 59479. The current Clerk & Recorder is Amanda H. Kelly.
The Justice Court sits on the third floor of the courthouse. The mailing address is P.O. Box 339, Stanford, MT 59479. This office handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small civil claims, and traffic cases. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch, and closed on legal holidays. In-person court appearances are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Court Docket and Hearing Information
A Judith Basin County court docket search can be done by phone, by mail, or in person at the relevant clerk’s office. The Justice Court holds regular in-person appearances on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The docket for these hearings can change due to continuances, plea agreements, and other filings, so a same-day check is helpful before traveling to the courthouse.
For district court cases, the Clerk of District Court can share the filing date, the next hearing date, and the current status of a case. The clerk can provide a copy of the docket sheet for a fee. Callers should ask the clerk whether a specific case is available in any statewide search system or only at the local office. This is the main way to complete a Judith Basin County court docket search today.
The Judith Basin County court calendar is not posted in a single public online feed. Callers should contact the appropriate clerk to confirm hearing dates, courtroom assignments, and whether a hearing is in person or by video. For a Judith Basin County court file lookup, the clerk can pull the physical file and provide a copy or a certified copy based on the request.
Judges and Legal Authority
Judith Basin County sits inside the Montana state judicial system. District court judges serve multi-county districts and travel between counties on a regular schedule. Justice court judges are elected or appointed at the county level and preside over local matters in Stanford.
Serious criminal cases and larger civil cases are filed in district court. Minor criminal cases, small claims, and traffic cases are filed in justice court. Appeals from both courts move up to higher courts in Helena, following the same rules that govern every Montana court. The Montana Supreme Court and the Montana Legislature set the procedures and rules that local courts follow.
Each clerk has legal authority over the records in their office. The Clerk of District Court controls access to district court files. The Clerk & Recorder controls access to land records, birth and death records, and election records. The Justice Court clerk controls access to justice court files. Anyone requesting sealed or restricted records must follow the rules set by Montana state law and the presiding judge.
Court Fees
Judith Basin County court record fees are set by state law and county policy. The exact fee depends on the type of record requested, the format (paper copy, certified copy, or electronic copy), and the number of pages. A Judith Basin County court record request should be confirmed by phone with the relevant office before payment is made, since fee amounts can change over time.
Common charges in Montana county clerk offices include fees for certified copies, exemplified copies, and searches of the public index. Recording fees for documents filed with the Clerk & Recorder (deeds, mortgages, and similar instruments) are set by Montana statute. Tax liens on personal property can be filed with the Clerk & Recorder or with the Montana Secretary of State, and search fees may apply to those filings as well.
Fees can change, so callers should not rely on rates from outside sources. The Clerk of District Court and the Clerk & Recorder can each provide a current fee schedule on request. Payment methods vary by office, and some offices accept cash, checks, money orders, or cards. For a Judith Basin County court document search, callers should ask about per-page copy fees and any search fees before the clerk starts the work.
Issues When Accessing Court Information
Public access to Judith Basin County court records is shaped by state law, office workload, and the type of record being requested. Several common issues come up during a Judith Basin County court record access request.
Judith Basin County does not operate a full public search portal on its own website. Most records must be requested by phone, by mail, or in person. People looking for a quick Judith Basin County court case search by name often need to call the clerk’s office directly. Records that are not in any statewide system must be pulled by the local clerk. This is one reason free Judith Basin County court records are not always available online.
Older files may be stored off-site, which can add time to a request for Judith Basin County historical court records. Some case files, such as juvenile records, certain family court files, and sealed exhibits, are not open to the public. A requester must show a legal reason or a court order before the clerk can release those files. Wait times for in-person requests can be longer during peak court dates, and mailed requests depend on postal delivery and staff processing times.
Courthouse Location & Contact Details
The Judith Basin County Courthouse sits in Stanford, the county seat of Judith Basin County. All three court-related offices operate from this single building, each on a different floor. The official website for county services is jbcountymt.gov.
Location & Contact Information
Judith Basin County Courthouse
91 Third Street North
Stanford, MT 59479
Main county phone: 406-566-2277
Fax: 406-566-2211
Official website: jbcountymt.gov
The Clerk of District Court sits on the ground floor. The Clerk & Recorder sits on the second floor (P.O. Box 427, Stanford, MT 59479). The Justice Court sits on the third floor (P.O. Box 339, Stanford, MT 59479). The current Clerk & Recorder is Amanda H. Kelly. CourtReference.com lists phone extensions 113 and 117 for the clerk’s offices at 406-566-2277.
Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch, and closed on legal holidays. Justice Court in-person appearances are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For Judith Basin County court transcripts, contact the Clerk of District Court to request a transcript from the court reporter or from the judge who presided over the case. How to find Judith Basin County court records starts with calling the right clerk, bringing valid ID, and paying the listed fees.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Judith Basin Court Records? This central Montana county keeps files through three offices inside the courthouse at 91 Third Street North in Stanford, MT 59479. You can reach the Clerk of District Court, Clerk & Recorder, and Justice Court by dialing 406-566-2277 during weekday business hours. Records cover civil lawsuits, criminal actions, probate, adoptions, marriage licenses, property deeds, vital statistics, and traffic cases. Continue reading for answers to the most common questions about searching, requesting, and accessing these public files.
How do I find Judith Basin Court Records in Montana?
Start by identifying which Judith Basin County court office holds the file you need. The Clerk of District Court on the courthouse ground floor keeps civil lawsuits, criminal actions, probate, adoptions, marriage licenses, and dissolution records. Meanwhile, the Clerk & Recorder on the second floor stores property deeds, land transfers, vital statistics, and election records. The Justice Court on the third floor handles smaller civil and criminal matters. Call the county switchboard at 406-566-2277 during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed noon to 1:00 p.m., before visiting the courthouse.
What types of court records does the Judith Basin County Clerk of Court maintain?
The Judith Basin County Clerk of District Court maintains court records for civil lawsuits, criminal actions, probate proceedings, adoptions, marriage licenses, dissolution filings, and passport applications. Marriage, divorce, probate, and court records date back to 1920 when the county was created. Separately, the Clerk & Recorder maintains property ownership documents such as deeds, mortgages, land transfer documents, certificates of survey, and subdivision plats. Birth and death certificates fall under the Clerk & Recorder’s office. The Justice Court keeps records for misdemeanor criminal cases, small civil claims, and traffic matters within its jurisdiction.
How do I contact the Judith Basin County Clerk of Court by phone or in person?
Reach the Judith Basin County Clerk of Court by dialing the main switchboard at 406-566-2277 and asking for the right extension. The Clerk of District Court operates from the ground floor, the Clerk & Recorder works on the second floor, and the Justice Court sits on the third floor of 91 Third Street North, Stanford, MT 59479. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a lunch closure from noon to 1:00 p.m. Justice Court appearances occur on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The county fax number is 406-566-2211 for written record requests.
Can I search Judith Basin County court case lookup online for free?
Judith Basin County does not host a free public online portal for searching court dockets or case files. The official county website at jbcountymt.gov lists office locations, hours, and phone numbers but offers no searchable database. To run a Judith Basin County court case search by name or case number, call 406-566-2277 or visit the courthouse in person. Staff at the Clerk of District Court or Justice Court can check physical and digital records on-site. Some third-party websites aggregate Montana court data, yet the most reliable source remains direct contact with the county offices in Stanford, MT 59479.
How do I request Judith Basin County court record copies in person or by mail?
To request Judith Basin County court record copies, visit the courthouse at 91 Third Street North in Stanford, MT 59479, or send a written request by mail. List the case number, party names, and the specific documents you need. Mail requests to P.O. Box 427 for the Clerk of District Court and Clerk & Recorder, or P.O. Box 339 for the Justice Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for any certified copy fees. Call 406-566-2277 ahead of time to confirm exact fees, accepted payment types, and turnaround times before submitting your request.
Where do I find Judith Basin County marriage, probate, or criminal court records?
Find Judith Basin County marriage records through either the Clerk of District Court, which keeps marriage licenses and dissolution filings, or the Clerk & Recorder for marriage certificates. Probate records such as wills and estate filings sit with the Clerk of District Court. Criminal court records split between two offices: the Clerk of District Court holds felony case files, while the Justice Court keeps misdemeanor and traffic case records on the third floor. All three offices sit in the Judith Basin County Courthouse at 91 Third Street North, Stanford, MT 59479, and staff can point you to the right file when you call 406-566-2277.