Montana & Ravalli County Legal
Montana Department of Labor: Apply for unemployment, jobs, permits, and more!
Montana Court Locator. Forms are at courts.mt.gov/Forms/
MontanaLawHelp.org Free court forms and more.
Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA)
provides legal tips to help Montanans better understand their rights and find free resources.
MLSA was a recipient of the HUD Eviction Protection Grant, which helps MLSA empower low-income Montanans through free legal information, advice, and representation.
Montana Legislature: Find your representatives.
Online Law Resources compiled by State of Montana Judicial Branch.
State Bar of Montana: Legal Resources and Frequently Asked Questions
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Law Library (406-444-3660) connects people to the legal representation and help they need.
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MT Law Library website (courts.mt.gov/library) is a good resource for official forms; state laws, briefs and supreme court orders.
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Free parenting plans and mediation services are newly available. Email franklin.runge@mt.gov to request.
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No cost Final Will & Testaments assistance and forms from DPHHS Aging Services for people age 60+ (contact Katy Lovell, Legal Services Developer at (406) 444-7787 or klovell@mt.gov
Voting information at Montana Secretary of State: Find out if you are registered to vote, your voter address and polling place
Steps to Verify Legal Papers in Ravalli County
You can verify the legitimacy of legal papers by contacting the Ravalli County Clerk of District Court directly at (406) 375-6710 or checking the state's public case registry via Montana Courts.
If you have not yet been served and want to know if there is a case against you. Go to Montana Courts: Montana Public Access Portals https://courts.mt.gov/Courts/portals. Choose to search either District Courts or Limited Jurisdiction Courts.
Steps to Verify Legal Papers received
• Check the paperwork details: Look for a cause number, the name of a specific judge, a court seal or stamp, and the signature of a court clerk or issuing attorney.
• Contact the Clerk of District Court: Call (406) 375-6710 or email courtfilings@ravallicounty.gov to ask if a case matches your name and the cause number listed on your documents.
• Search online court portals: Use the Montana Judiciary public access resources linked through Montana Courts to search active state case dockets by name and county.
• Watch out for common scams: Ravalli County officials note that fake legal or jury notices sometimes circulate; official courts will never demand immediate payment of fines over the phone or threaten instant arrest via gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid debit cards.
• Visit the courthouse: If you need physical verification or certified file copies, visit the office at the Ravalli County Courthouse, 205 Bedford Street, Suite D, Hamilton, MT.
You can contact the Ravalli County Clerk of District Court
Address: 205 Bedford Street, Suite D
Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-375-6710
Clerk of Court, Ravalli County website – https://ravallicounty.gov/260/Clerk-of-District-Court.
Office Details -
• Address: 205 Bedford Street, Suite D, Hamilton, MT 59840
• Phone: 406-375-6710
• Fax: 406-375-6721
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Clerk of District Court: Paige Trautwein
• Court Filings Email: courtfilings@rc.mt.gov
Services Provided -
• Court Records: Request copies of public documents, file searches, or case information.
• Marriage Licenses: Issue marriage licenses (cost is $53.00, payable in cash or specific methods).
• Jury Duty: Manage juror status, questions, and trial updates.
• Forms: Access local court forms and pro se dissolution paperwork via the Ravalli County Forms Page.
The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for Ravalli County, headquartered inside the courthouse in Hamilton, Montana. Led by Sheriff Stephen Holton, the office manages county-wide public safety, emergency communications, and the local detention facilities.
Contact Information & Hours -
• Non-Emergency Dispatch Center: (406) 363-3033. Staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for field dispatch and non-emergency reporting.
• Administrative Office: (406) 375-4060. Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Physical Location: 205 Bedford St, Suite G, Hamilton, MT 59840, situated on the main floor of the Ravalli County Courthouse.
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays).
• Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office website - https://ravallicounty.gov/245/Sheriffs-Office.