Montana Statewide Criminal Background Check
Search Montana’s official criminal history repository for $20 per name plus the $20 state fee.
BCS Background Screening LLC orders the record directly from the Montana Department of Justice.
As a result, one search covers arrests, charges and court outcomes reported from all 56 counties.
What Is a Montana Statewide Criminal Background Check?
A Montana statewide criminal background check searches the state’s central criminal history repository.
The Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) keeps that repository through its Criminal Records and Identification Services Section.
Local police, sheriffs, prosecutors and courts in every county send their records to it.
Because of that flow, one name search reaches felony and misdemeanor records statewide.
By contrast, a court search in Montana normally covers one county at a time.
Employers, therefore, get the widest Montana view for the lowest effort.
Who Orders This Montana Criminal Records Search
Employers, landlords and staffing firms run it before hiring, leasing or placement.
Nonprofits and youth programs also use it to screen volunteers.
Many clients pair it with an SSN trace and a county criminal court search for full detail.
What the Montana Criminal Records Search Includes
Every order runs against the full Montana repository.
After that, our team reviews each result before it reaches your report.
Felony and Misdemeanor Records
The search returns felony and misdemeanor charges reported in Montana.
Each record lists the offense, the agency and the court.
Arrest, Charge and Court Data
You see arrest details, prosecutor filings and court information together.
Consequently, each event reads in the order it happened.
Dispositions and Sentences
Reported outcomes show convictions, deferred sentences and sentences imposed.
Open charges carry no final disposition, so you can follow up.
Up to Four Alias Names
The state includes up to four alias names at no extra cost.
So, the same order also covers maiden names and former names.
Identity Review
The DOJ matches on name and numeric identifiers only.
Our team therefore checks the date of birth before any record reaches you.
Montana Reporting Rules
We apply the Montana seven-year limit in MCA 31-3-112.
Confidential and expunged records never reach your report.
What the Montana DOJ Record Leaves Out
The state repository is broad, yet it does not hold everything.
First, it excludes traffic offenses, even when a court filed them as misdemeanors.
Second, it holds no records from other states or the FBI.
Also, federal and tribal cases, protection orders and active warrants stay out.
Finally, the state never releases a deferred case that a court later dismissed.
For those gaps, add a county criminal court search where the person lived or worked.
| Feature | Montana DOJ Statewide Search | County Criminal Court Search |
|---|---|---|
| Price per name | $20 plus the $20 state fee | $18 plus any court fees |
| Coverage | Records reported from all 56 counties | One county, including its justice and city courts |
| Traffic misdemeanors | Not included | Included |
| Case detail | Arrest, prosecutor and court information | Case number, charges, fines, costs and sentence |
| Identity match | Name and numeric identifiers | Name and date of birth on the court file |
| Best use | Fast statewide sweep | Verification and full court detail |
Most employers run both searches for applicants with Montana addresses.
You can read the state’s own rules on the Montana DOJ background checks page.
How to Order a Montana Statewide Criminal Search
Ordering takes a few minutes once your account is open.
Open a Free Account
Sign up online and tell us your business purpose.
Our team then verifies your organization.
Get Written Consent
Give the applicant a standalone FCRA disclosure.
Next, collect a signed authorization before you order.
Place the Order
Enter the full name, date of birth and up to four aliases.
We then submit the search to the Montana DOJ.
Review the Results
Results post to your secure online account.
Before any adverse action, send the pre-adverse notice first.
Montana Laws That Shape Criminal Screening
Montana adds several rules on top of the federal FCRA.
Below, we explain the five that matter most for a criminal search.
Montana Seven-Year Reporting Limit (MCA 31-3-112)
Under MCA 31-3-112, a consumer reporting agency may not report old criminal records.
The limit covers arrests, indictments and convictions alike.
It runs seven years from disposition, release or parole.
Federal law, by contrast, lets convictions report with no time limit.
Montana’s statute also lists no salary exemption.
Public and Confidential Records (MCA 44-5-301)
MCA 44-5-301 places no limits on releasing public criminal justice information.
That category covers court records, convictions, deferred sentences and arrest records.
Confidential information, however, stays with criminal justice agencies.
When a court dismisses a deferred case, MCA 46-18-204 makes its records confidential.
Record Challenges (MCA 44-5-215)
Every DOJ response tells the employer how to handle a disputed record.
If you disqualify someone over it, give that person a chance to complete or challenge it.
The person then follows the correction steps in MCA 44-5-215.
No Ban-the-Box Law in Montana
Montana has no ban-the-box law for public or private employers.
Still, the Montana Human Rights Commission discourages arrest questions before hiring.
So, focus your questions on convictions that relate to the job.
Misdemeanor Expungement (MCA 46-18-1104)
Montana allows one misdemeanor expungement order per lifetime.
That single order can cover any number of misdemeanor offenses.
Once a court signs it, the expunged records drop out of every report we deliver.
Sample Montana Statewide Criminal Background Check Reports
Below are two samples as they appear in your account.
The first shows a Montana DOJ statewide response, and the second shows a county court search.
All names, identifiers and dates are fictitious.
Sample 1: Montana DOJ Public Criminal History Record Response
Result
Use and Dissemination Restrictions
Record Provided By
Sample 2: Montana County Criminal Court Search
Case TK-2025-0003187
| Charge | Description of Charge | Type of Crime | Disposition | Fines | Court Costs | Sentencing Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reckless driving—1st offense | Misdemeanor | Dismissed | — | — | None |
Case TK-2025-0000844
| Charge | Description of Charge | Type of Crime | Disposition | Fines | Court Costs | Sentencing Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fail to carry proof or exhibit/insurance in vehicle—1st offense | Misdemeanor | Dismissed | — | — | None |
Case TK-2024-0005316
| Charge | Description of Charge | Type of Crime | Disposition | Fines | Court Costs | Sentencing Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speeding—exceed restricted/special zone speed limit established | Misdemeanor | Bail/Bond Forfeiture | $95.00 | — | Fine Amount: 95.00 |
| 2 | Fail to carry proof or exhibit/insurance in vehicle—1st offense | Misdemeanor | Dismissed | — | — | None |
Samples for illustration only. The subjects are fictitious, and any match to a real person is coincidental.
Montana Statewide Criminal Background Check Pricing
- Full Montana criminal history repository search
- Felony and misdemeanor records from all 56 counties
- Up to four alias names at no extra state fee
- Identity review and Montana seven-year compliance
- Results in your secure online account
Popular Add-Ons
- County Criminal Court Search – $18 plus court fees, includes traffic cases
- Nationwide Criminal Database – $17, a fast multistate locator
- SSN Trace – $10, reveals past addresses and aliases
- Motor Vehicle Records – driving history for drivers
Access to SSN Trace functionality is restricted at initial registration. This feature cannot be accessed at initial signup until your organization’s business use case is verified.
Every user account also offers optional Multiple Authentication Factor (MAF) sign-in for added security.
Montana Statewide Criminal Background Check FAQs
What does a Montana statewide criminal background check include?
It searches the Montana DOJ criminal history repository for felony and misdemeanor records.
Results show arrest, prosecutor and court information reported from all 56 counties.
Also, up to four alias names ride along at no extra state fee.
How much does a Montana statewide criminal background check cost?
BCS Background Screening LLC charges $20 per name plus the $20 Montana DOJ fee.
So, the total comes to $40 per name.
How long does a Montana criminal records search take?
Most Montana statewide results return in 24 hours or less.
When a record needs identity review, our team may take a little longer.
What does “does not meet the criteria for dissemination” mean?
The Montana DOJ prints this line when it finds no record it may release.
Either no record exists, or the record is confidential under MCA 44-5-301.
In short, you treat it as a clear state result.
Does the Montana statewide search include traffic offenses?
No, the state repository leaves out traffic offenses.
For traffic misdemeanors, add a county criminal court search where the person lived.
How far back does a Montana background check report criminal records?
MCA 31-3-112 limits reported arrests, indictments and convictions to seven years.
That period runs from the date of disposition, release or parole.
Unlike federal law, the Montana statute lists no salary exemption.
Can Montana employers ask about criminal history on a job application?
Yes, Montana has no ban-the-box law.
However, the Montana Human Rights Commission discourages arrest questions before hiring.
Before you order a report, you still need FCRA disclosure and written consent.
Will deferred or expunged Montana records appear on the report?
No, not after a court dismisses the deferred case or grants expungement.
MCA 46-18-204 makes dismissed deferred records confidential.
Likewise, expunged misdemeanors stay off every report we deliver.
Start Your Montana Statewide Search Today
Open a free account and order your first Montana search for $40 per name, all in.
Meanwhile, our team stands ready to help with every step.
BCS Background Screening LLC is a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This page gives general information, not legal advice, so talk with counsel about your hiring policy.