How to check for active arrest warrants, bench warrants, and failure-to-appear warrants in any of Montana's 56 counties. Free, step-by-step.
These county pages map most closely to real search behavior around warrant lookup, local jail information, and city-level police activity. Start here if you need a faster county-specific path than the statewide portal alone.
The Montana Judicial Branch Public Access Portal covers district courts and courts of limited jurisdiction across all 56 counties. Search by name, then filter by "Warrants" under the defendant menu.
Issued by a judge after a prosecutor presents probable cause that a crime was committed. Authorizes law enforcement to take the named person into custody anywhere in Montana.
Issued directly by a judge — most commonly for failure to appear in court, a probation violation, or non-payment of fines. Also authorizes immediate arrest.
Authorizes law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence. Search warrants are not typically listed on public warrant rosters — they are served and sealed.
Go to courts.mt.gov/Courts/portals and open either the District Courts or Limited Jurisdiction Courts portal. Search by the person's full name, then select "Warrants" from the "Defendant" filter dropdown. This is the most comprehensive free search available.
Free • All 56 countiesSeveral Montana counties publish live warrant lists online, updated regularly. These are often more current than the court portal. Select a county below to go directly to its warrant information.
For counties without an online warrant list, call the sheriff's office and ask to speak with the records division. Provide the full name and date of birth of the person you're searching for. Most offices can confirm whether an active warrant exists. Find phone numbers for all 56 Montana county sheriffs on our Jail Rosters page.
For a more thorough search including felony arrests, the Montana Department of Justice offers the Criminal History Online Public Records Search (CHOPRS). It requires the subject's full name and date of birth and costs $20 per search.
No. Arrest warrants and bench warrants in Montana do not have an expiration date. They remain active until served (the person is arrested), quashed by a judge, or the subject dies. There is no statute of limitations on an outstanding warrant.
If you have an active warrant, law enforcement can arrest you at any time — during a routine traffic stop, at your home, or at work. If you believe you may have a warrant, the safest approach is to contact a licensed Montana criminal defense attorney before taking any other action. An attorney can confirm the warrant, negotiate a voluntary surrender, and represent you at any required court appearance.
Yes. Warrant records are generally public under Montana's Public Records Act (MCA 2-6-102). You can search by name using the Montana Judicial Branch Public Access Portal or contact the relevant county court or sheriff's office. Some counties publish their full warrant list online.
An arrest warrant is issued by a judge based on probable cause that a specific person committed a crime, typically after a law enforcement investigation. A bench warrant is issued by a judge directly from the bench — most often when someone fails to appear in court, violates probation terms, or fails to pay court-ordered fines. Both authorize law enforcement to take the person into custody.
Yes. Warrants are often issued without notifying the subject. The court issues the warrant based on a law enforcement affidavit or a prosecutor's motion, and law enforcement then looks for an opportunity to serve it. This is why warrants sometimes go unserved for months or years.
Montana participates in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which means active felony warrants are visible to law enforcement in all 50 states and U.S. territories. Some misdemeanor warrants are also entered into NCIC. A Montana warrant can result in arrest in another state, and Montana can extradite fugitives for serious charges.
Not Legal Advice
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you believe you have an active warrant, consult a licensed Montana criminal defense attorney before taking any action.