Divorce records in Flathead County, Montana can be accessed through several channels. FlatheadCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information for Flathead County. You can also request records directly from the district court that issued the decree, the Flathead County Clerk of Court, or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) vital records office. The approach you take depends on whether you need the full court file or a state-issued divorce certificate.
Flathead County Divorce Records Search
In Flathead County, divorce case files are maintained by the Clerk of the District Court. The Eleventh Judicial District Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. The Clerk of Court is responsible for case management, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, parenting plans, custody orders, and related filings. The Montana DPHHS Vital Records Office in Helena also maintains divorce certificates — summary records that confirm a divorce occurred but do not include the full case details. For online searches, the Montana District Court Public Access Portal allows users to look up court case information, including dissolution cases filed in Flathead County.
Flathead County Clerk of District Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Flathead County
Divorce cases in Montana are handled by the district courts. In Flathead County, the Eleventh Judicial District Court has jurisdiction over all dissolution of marriage proceedings. When a divorce decree is entered by a judge, the original order is filed and maintained by the Clerk of the District Court in Kalispell.
Montana law also requires that a Report of Dissolution be sent to the state vital records office after a divorce is finalized. This means the DPHHS Vital Records Office holds a divorce certificate — a shorter document that verifies the divorce took place, the names of the parties, and the date of the decree.
Which office you contact depends on what you need:
- Full court file (decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, financial disclosures) — contact the Flathead County Clerk of District Court.
- Divorce certificate (verification that the divorce occurred) — contact the Montana DPHHS Vital Records Office.
- Online case lookup — use the Montana Public Access Portal to search for case numbers, party names, and filing dates.
Flathead County Clerk of District Court
Montana DPHHS Vital Records Office
Note that some records in divorce cases — particularly those involving minor children or sealed financial information — may have restricted access. Ask the clerk whether any portions of the file you need are confidential or require a court order to obtain.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Flathead County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Montana Vital Records Office) | $14.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Court record copies (Flathead County Clerk of Court, per page) | $0.50 | Same day to several business days |
| Certified court document copy | $2.00 per document plus $0.50 per page | Same day to several business days |