Cascade County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Cascade County?

Public records in Cascade County are defined according to the Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1002, which states that public records include "any paper, correspondence, form, book, photograph, microfilm, magnetic tape, computer storage media, map, drawing, or other document, including all copies, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that has been made or received by a state agency in connection with the transaction of official business."

Cascade County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, family court, and adoption records are maintained by the Clerk of District Court's Office. These include case filings, judgments, and court proceedings.

• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and property assessments are maintained by the Cascade County Clerk & Recorder's Office. These documents establish ownership and encumbrances on real property.

• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees are available through the Clerk & Recorder's Office, though some vital records are subject to privacy restrictions under Montana Code § 50-15-122.

• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements (DBA - Doing Business As) are maintained by various county departments.

• Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records are maintained by the Cascade County Treasurer's Office.

• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance disclosures are maintained by the Elections Department within the Clerk & Recorder's Office.

• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings are maintained by the Clerk & Recorder's Office.

• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial statements, and expenditure reports are maintained by the County Finance Department.

• Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records are maintained by the Cascade County Sheriff's Office, though some may be exempt from disclosure.

• Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans are maintained by the Planning Department.

The primary custodian for many of these records is the Cascade County Clerk & Recorder's Office, which serves as the central repository for official county documents. Court-related documents are maintained by the Clerk of District Court, while specialized records may be held by their respective departments.

Is Cascade County an Open Records County?

Cascade County adheres to Montana's constitutional and statutory provisions regarding public access to government records. Under the Montana Constitution Article II, Section 9, "No person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions, except in cases in which the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure."

This constitutional right is further codified in the Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1003, which states:

"Every person has a right to examine and obtain a copy of any public information of this state... Public information must be made available for public inspection during regular office hours."

Cascade County complies with these state mandates and maintains an open records policy that facilitates public access to government information. The county does not have separate ordinances that supersede state law regarding public records access, but instead follows the comprehensive framework established by Montana statutes.

The county's compliance with these "sunshine laws" ensures transparency in government operations and allows citizens to monitor the activities of their local government. While certain records may be exempt from disclosure under specific statutory provisions, the general presumption in Cascade County, as throughout Montana, is that government records are open to public inspection unless specifically protected by law.

How to Find Public Records in Cascade County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Cascade County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

1. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person. This method is particularly useful for those who need immediate assistance or wish to inspect records rather than obtain copies.

2. Online Access: Cascade County provides digital access to certain records through various online portals:

   • Property records can be searched through the Montana Cadastral system
   • Court records are accessible through the Montana District Court Public Access Portal
   • County Commission meeting minutes and agendas are available on the county website

3. Written Requests: For records not available online, individuals may submit a written request to the appropriate department. While Montana law does not require the use of a specific form, requests should:

   • Clearly identify the records sought
   • Provide contact information for response
   • Specify the preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, digital files, etc.)

4. Telephone Inquiries: Initial inquiries about record availability may be made by telephone, though formal requests typically require written documentation.

For court records, requestors should contact the Clerk of District Court's Office. For property records, vital records, and most other county documents, the Cascade County Clerk & Recorder's Office serves as the primary point of contact.

Pursuant to Montana Code § 2-6-1006, agencies must respond to requests for public information in a timely manner. If records cannot be provided immediately, the agency must explain the reason for the delay and provide a timeline for fulfillment.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cascade County?

Cascade County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Montana Code § 2-6-1006, which permits agencies to charge "fees commensurate with their costs of searching for, gathering, compiling, and reproducing public information."

Current standard fees for public records in Cascade County include:

• Photocopies: $0.50 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
• Certified Copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
• Large Format Documents (maps, plats, etc.): $5.00 per sheet
• Digital Records: $10.00 per CD/DVD for electronic copies
• Research Fees: $20.00 per hour after the first half-hour (which is typically provided at no charge)

Specific record types may have statutorily established fees:

• Birth Certificates: $12.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
• Death Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
• Marriage Licenses: $53.00 application fee
• Marriage Certificate Copies: $10.00 per copy
• Recorded Documents: $7.00 per page for recording, $5.00 for certified copies

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and in some departments, credit/debit cards. Electronic payments may incur additional processing fees.

It should be noted that fees may be reduced or waived if the request is determined to be primarily in the public interest or if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the custodian of records.

Does Cascade County Have Free Public Records?

Cascade County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Montana law. Under Montana Code § 2-6-1006, all public records must be available for inspection during regular business hours at no charge. This means that individuals may visit county offices to view records without paying a fee, though charges may apply for copies or certified documents.

The following records are currently available for free inspection or access:

• In-Person Record Inspection: Any non-confidential public record may be inspected free of charge at the office where it is maintained during regular business hours.

• Online Resources: Several free online resources provide access to Cascade County records:

  • The Montana Cadastral system offers free access to property ownership and assessment information
  • The Montana Courts Public Access Portal provides free access to certain court records
  • The Cascade County website offers free access to meeting agendas, minutes, and various public notices

• Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices for public use in accessing digital records at no charge.

• County Commission Proceedings: Minutes and records of County Commission meetings are available for public inspection without charge.

It is important to note that while inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. Additionally, some specialized searches requiring significant staff time may incur research fees as outlined in the county's fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cascade County?

Under Montana law, public records are available to all persons regardless of citizenship or residency status. The Montana Constitution Article II, Section 9 establishes that "no person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents," and this constitutional right extends to anyone seeking access to public information.

Key eligibility considerations include:

• No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be Montana residents or U.S. citizens to access public records in Cascade County.

• Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:

  • Requesting vital records (birth, death certificates)
  • Seeking records that contain confidential information
  • Requesting records about oneself that are otherwise restricted

• Purpose Statement: Montana law does not generally require requestors to state the purpose of their request or intended use of the information. However, certain specialized records may require a statement of purpose if access is restricted to specific uses under state law.

• Requesting Your Own vs. Others' Records: When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity. When requesting records about others, different standards apply:

  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage) have specific eligibility requirements under Montana Code § 50-15-121
  • Court records are generally available to anyone, though certain case types may be restricted
  • Property records and other public documents are available without relationship restrictions

• Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, and other agents may request records on behalf of clients, though authorization documentation may be required for confidential records.

The broad accessibility of public records in Cascade County reflects Montana's strong constitutional commitment to government transparency and public oversight.

What Records Are Confidential in Cascade County?

While Montana law establishes a presumption of openness for government records, certain categories of information are protected from public disclosure. In Cascade County, the following record types are confidential pursuant to various state statutes:

• Personal Privacy Information: Records containing social security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifying data are protected under Montana Code § 2-6-1502.

• Medical Records: Health information is confidential under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations.

• Juvenile Records: Court and law enforcement records involving minors are generally confidential under Montana Code § 41-5-216, with limited exceptions.

• Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by court order and statute.

• Child Protective Services Records: Information regarding child abuse investigations and protective services is confidential under Montana Code § 41-3-205.

• Criminal Justice Information: Certain law enforcement records, including active investigation materials, criminal intelligence information, and confidential informant identities are protected.

• Personnel Records: Employee medical information, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions may be confidential, though basic employment information remains public.

• Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.

• Trade Secrets and Proprietary Business Information: Certain business information submitted to the county may be protected if disclosure would cause competitive harm.

• Security Information: Details about critical infrastructure, security systems, and emergency response plans are exempt from disclosure.

• Deliberative Process Materials: Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations may be exempt until final decisions are made.

Montana law employs a balancing test when privacy interests conflict with the public's right to know. Under Montana Constitution Article II, Section 9, records may be withheld when "the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure." This determination is made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian, subject to judicial review.

When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will typically redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the document.

Cascade County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cascade County Clerk & Recorder's Office
121 4th Street North, Suite 1B-1
Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 454-6801
Cascade County Clerk & Recorder's Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
• Issuance of marriage licenses
• Birth and death certificates
• Voter registration and elections administration
• County Commission records
• Notary public services
• Real estate document recording

Clerk of District Court's Office
415 2nd Avenue North, Room 200
Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 454-6780
Cascade County Clerk of Court's Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

• Maintenance of all District Court records
• Civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files
• Jury management
• Passport application processing
• Court document certification

For specialized records, other departments maintain their own public service counters:

Cascade County Treasurer's Office
121 4th Street North, Suite 1C-1
Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 454-6860
Cascade County Treasurer's Office

Cascade County Planning Department
121 4th Street North, Suite 2H-1
Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 454-6905
Cascade County Planning Department

Lookup Public Records in Cascade County

Clerk & Recorder's Office | Cascade County, MT

Clerk of Court's Office | Cascade County, MT

Montana Public Access Portal(s)

Montana District Court Public Access Portal

Montana Cadastral