Big Horn Court Records exist in two separate state systems, and that single fact confuses most first-time searchers. Big Horn County, Wyoming (Basin, Greybull, Lovell, Cowley) and Big Horn County, Montana (Hardin, Lodge Grass, Pryor) each operate under different clerks, different online portals, and different public records laws. Wyoming’s Clerk of District Court in Basin keeps files under the Wyoming Public Records Act. Montana’s Clerk of Court in Hardin follows the Montana Constitution and Montana Code Annotated. Civil cases, criminal filings, probate packets, family matters, and traffic dockets all sit in these county systems, but you must match your search to the right state before pulling a single document. The Big Horn County court records search you need depends on whether the case number starts with a Wyoming CR- prefix or a Montana DC- prefix. Knowing this jurisdictional split upfront saves you hours of wasted clicks, blank screens, and zero results when you try to find Big Horn County court records in the wrong state database.
Big Horn Court Records can be pulled for free in both states if you know which portal to use. Wyoming’s eAccess system at judicialrecords.wyo.gov and Montana’s Odyssey Public Access at the state judiciary site both let you search by name, case number, or filing date without paying a subscription fee. A Big Horn County court records online search through these sites shows party names, charges or claims, judge assignments, hearing dates, and disposition outcomes for cases filed from the 1990s forward. Older files, sealed juvenile matters, adoption decrees, and mental health commitment records stay restricted under both state laws. For those files, a Big Horn County courthouse records lookup in person at the Basin or Hardin clerk window remains your only legal path. Free searches stop short of certified copies, which still require a written request, a small fee, and several business days for turnaround. A Big Horn County court document search through either portal gives you the docket entries you need for background checks, legal filings, or genealogy research. Each Big Horn County court file search flags related cases across divisions, speeding up any Big Horn County judicial records search task.
What Are Big Horn Court Records? A Complete Overview
Big Horn court records are the official case files, dockets, and documents kept by the Clerk of District Court for either Big Horn County, Wyoming or Big Horn County, Montana. These public records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, probate, family law, traffic matters, and historical land records. They live at the county courthouse and on the state judicial branch portal for each state.
Why Two Big Horn Counties Exist
Wyoming and Montana each created a county named after the Big Horn mountain range during early territorial settlement. The two counties sit about 200 miles apart, share a river basin, and use nearly identical names, which creates the core confusion. The Wyoming county covers roughly 3,159 square miles and has its seat at Basin. The Montana county covers about 5,023 square miles and has its seat at Hardin.
Wyoming: 8th Judicial District
Big Horn County, Wyoming sits inside the 8th Judicial District along with Park and Washakie counties. District judges rotate through the Basin courthouse, and the Clerk of District Court there maintains every district-level case file. The circuit court for misdemeanor and small claims matters uses a separate set of records stored at the same courthouse.
Montana: 22nd Judicial District
Big Horn County, Montana sits inside the 22nd Judicial District along with Rosebud and Treasure counties. District judges hear cases at the Hardin courthouse, and the Clerk of Court there keeps district-level files. Justice Court matters in Hardin, Lodge Grass, and Pryor sit under separate Justice Court clerks but remain part of the same county system.
Are Big Horn County Court Records Public?
Yes, Big Horn County court records carry a presumption of public access under both states’ open records laws. Wyoming’s Public Records Act (W.S. §16-4-201 et seq.) declares public records open to inspection by any person during office hours. Montana’s Constitution Article II §9 plus MCA §2-6-101 grant the same right of access to judicial records of state and local government.
Wyoming Public Records Act
W.S. §16-4-201 states that public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. W.S. §16-4-202 sets the copying fees. The Wyoming Supreme Court has repeatedly held that court dockets and case files fall inside the Act unless a specific statute seals them.
Montana Constitution and MCA
Article II §9 of the Montana Constitution reads: “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.” MCA §2-6-101 carries that right into statutory law. Montana courts have read both sources together to require public access to docket sheets, pleadings, and orders.
Types of Documents in a Big Horn Court File
A standard Big Horn court file contains the case caption, the initial complaint or petition, every motion filed, every order issued, the final judgment or decree, and the docket sheet. The file may also hold exhibits, transcripts, sentencing orders, and decree language for family matters. Some documents stay sealed by court order even when the rest of the file remains public.
Big Horn County Court Records Search: Online vs. In-Person Methods
The fastest path to Big Horn court records runs through each state’s judicial branch portal. Wyoming uses the Wyoming Judicial Branch eAccess system. Montana uses the Montana Judicial Branch Odyssey File & Serve portal. Offline courthouse visits stay necessary for older files (often pre-1990), sealed-case access, and certified copies.
Online Court Records Search: Platform Comparison
| Feature | Wyoming Judicial Branch eAccess | Montana Odyssey Public Access | Third-Party Aggregators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | Mixed (subscription or pay-per-record) |
| Coverage | 1990s to present (varies by county) | 2009 to present for civil; varies by county | Federal only or partial state |
| Search Fields | Name, case number, filing date | Name, case number, DOB, business | Name, state-wide |
| Image Access | Most docket entries | Selected documents | Limited |
| Certified Copies | No (must order from clerk) | No | No |
When to Use an In-Person Courthouse Lookup in Hardin or Basin
Plan an in-person visit whenever your case predates the digital era. Files filed before 1995 in either state usually sit in paper storage or on microfilm. The clerk pulls them on request, often within the same business day. Sealed records require a court order before any clerk pulls them, so the in-person route matters there as well.
Big Horn County Court Records Database Limitations
Each online database shows only what the clerk has scanned. In Wyoming, paper filings from the 1980s still sit in boxes at the Basin courthouse. In Montana, criminal files older than 2009 may show only the docket header without the underlying documents. The free portals never include sealed files, juvenile cases, mental health commitments, or adoption decrees.
How to Find Big Horn County Court Records Online Step by Step
You can locate most Big Horn court records in four steps. First, confirm the state. Second, open the correct judicial portal. Third, run a name or case number search. Fourth, review the docket and document images.
Step 1: Confirm the Correct Big Horn County (WY or MT)
| City or Town | State | County |
|---|---|---|
| Basin | Wyoming | Big Horn County, WY |
| Greybull | Wyoming | Big Horn County, WY |
| Lovell | Wyoming | Big Horn County, WY |
| Cowley | Wyoming | Big Horn County, WY |
| Hardin | Montana | Big Horn County, MT |
| Lodge Grass | Montana | Big Horn County, MT |
| Pryor | Montana | Big Horn County, MT |
Step 2: Access the State Judicial Portal
Wyoming users visit judicialrecords.wyo.gov. Montana users visit either the Montana Courts Public Portal at mtcrimportal.app.mt.gov or the Odyssey Public Access at odyssey.mt.gov. Both sites require no login for basic docket searches.
Step 3: Run the Name or Case Number Search
Use a last name, first name format. For case numbers, drop the dashes. A Wyoming criminal case reads “CR-23-001.” A Montana criminal case reads “DC-23-001.” Civil cases in both states use “CV” prefixes. Family cases use “DR” in Wyoming and “DN” or “FA” in Montana.
Step 4: Interpret the Results and Docket Entries
Status codes tell you where the case sits. “Open” means the case is still active. “Closed” means the court issued a final order. “Dismissed” means a party withdrew or the judge threw it out. “Vacated” means a higher court overturned the judgment. The docket sheet lists every filing in date order.
Big Horn County Court Document Search Best Practices
- Use wildcards when a name has multiple spellings (e.g., “Sm*th” picks up Smith and Smyth).
- Add date ranges to cut down false matches when the name is common.
- Try Soundex or phonetic search for older filings where clerks spelled names by ear.
- Search both first and last names in reversed order if the first attempt returns nothing.
- Check related cases for family members, business partners, or co-defendants.
Types of Big Horn County Court Records Available
Each Big Horn County courthouse stores seven major record categories. Case type dictates both search strategy and any access restrictions.
Big Horn County Civil Court Records
Civil case files cover contract disputes, personal injury claims, property lawsuits, debt collection, and civil rights complaints. Wyoming civil cases use a “CV” prefix. Montana civil cases also use “CV” but sit on the Odyssey system from 2009 forward. Older Montana civil files may require an in-person request.
Criminal and Felony Case Records
Felony criminal files in Wyoming carry a “CR” prefix and stay at the district court level. Montana felony criminal files use “DC” for District Court criminal matters and “DL” for Department of Livestock and other specialized dockets. Misdemeanors sit at the circuit court level in Wyoming and at Justice Court in Montana.
Big Horn Family Court Records
Family case files include divorce, legal separation, child custody, parenting plans, child support modifications, and protection orders. Wyoming family cases use “DR” or “FA” prefixes. Montana family cases use “DR” for domestic relations and “FA” for family law. Protection orders appear in both domestic and criminal dockets depending on how they were filed.
Probate, Wills and Estate Records
Probate files cover will filings, estate inventories, guardianship appointments, conservatorship orders, and small-estate affidavits. Wyoming probate cases use a “P” prefix. Montana probate cases use “PR.” Many probate packets remain available only on microfilm or paper in the clerk’s vault.
Traffic, Misdemeanor and Justice Court Records
Wyoming circuit courts handle misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and small claims. Their case files use a “CT” or “M” prefix. Montana Justice Courts handle the same matters at the county level, with cases filed in Hardin, Lodge Grass, and Pryor. Justice Court files often stay on local systems that do not feed the state Odyssey portal.
Marriage License and Civil Union Records
Marriage licenses sit with the County Clerk, not the Clerk of Court. In Wyoming, marriage records are public after filing. In Montana, marriage records are also public but require a request to the County Clerk office. Pre-1920 marriage records in both states sit at the state archives.
Historic Land and Patent Records
The Big Horn Basin and the Montana side of the Big Horn valley saw homestead filings from the 1890s forward. The Bureau of Land Management keeps the federal patent records. The county recorder handles the deed transfers. The Clerk of Court may hold partition actions, quiet title suits, and water rights cases from the same era.
Big Horn County Courthouse Records Lookup: In-Person Procedures
Both courthouses keep public research terminals and assign appointments for file retrieval beyond the digital docket. The clerk staff helps with index lookups when the online search returns no hits.
Wyoming Big Horn County Courthouse in Basin
The Wyoming Big Horn County Courthouse sits at 604 C Avenue, Basin, WY 82410. The Clerk of District Court office occupies the main floor. Public research terminals run the eAccess system during normal business hours. The clerk pulls archived files on written request using the standard state records request form.
Montana Big Horn County Courthouse in Hardin
The Montana Big Horn County Courthouse sits at 121 West 3rd Street, Hardin, MT 59034. The Clerk of Court office runs the public terminal during posted hours. A photo ID may be required to access certain sealed dockets. Mail-in requests follow the same procedure as in-person visits, with a written request and prepayment of fees.
Big Horn County Court File Search: What to Bring
Bring a photo ID for sensitive files. Bring the case number if you have it. Bring the exact name spelling, including known aliases. Bring a date range to help the clerk narrow the search. Bring cash or a check for copy fees since some clerk offices do not take cards for small amounts.
Big Horn County Judicial Records Search Fee Schedule (2026)
| Service | Big Horn County, WY | Big Horn County, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Photocopies (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | $0.25 per page |
| Certified Copy | $5.00 per document | $5.00 per document (+$2.50 if mailed) |
| Records Search Labor | $20 per hour | $10 per hour after 30 min free |
| Microfilm Print | $1.00 per page | $0.50 per page |
Big Horn County Judicial Records Database for Legal Professionals
Attorneys, journalists, and genealogists who work across both counties need attorney-of-record access. In Montana, the Odyssey Attorney Portal offers bulk export and saved-case alerts. In Wyoming, the eAccess attorney tier through WYeFile offers similar features. PACER handles federal matters and integrates with the state portals for cross-jurisdictional dockets.
Attorney Access Portals: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Active members of the Wyoming or Montana state bar qualify for attorney portal access. The attorney portal shows filings, service contacts, and document images not always visible to the public. You must register through the state bar and receive a login credential tied to your bar number.
Bulk Data, FOIA Requests and Records Disclosures
The Wyoming Public Records Act lets any person request bulk court data for non-commercial research. Submit the request in writing to the Clerk of District Court. The Montana Right to Know Act (MCA §2-6-1003) works the same way, with public agencies required to respond within a set timeframe. Both states charge the actual cost of compiling the data.
Integrating Big Horn Records with Federal Court (PACER) and Tribal Court
Federal cases in Big Horn County fall under the District of Wyoming (Cheyenne) or the District of Montana (Billings). PACER access covers those matters. Tribal cases on the Crow Indian Reservation sit under the Crow Tribal Court, which maintains its own separate system. Researchers tracking a single party may need to pull from all three systems to get a complete picture.
API Access and Automation for Researchers
Wyoming offers no public API for eAccess. Montana’s Odyssey system supports vendor integrations through approved partners. UniCourt, Docket Alarm, and Trellis pull from the state Odyssey database and add alerting features. Costs vary by vendor and case volume.
Requesting Certified Copies and Big Horn County Court Document Search by Mail
Certified copies serve legal purposes that ordinary printouts cannot. You need them for immigration filings, name changes, firearm rights restoration, and estate settlement. The Clerk of Court issues them either in person or by written mail request. Turnaround runs 5 to 10 business days in either state plus return postage.
What Qualifies as a Certified Court Document
A certified copy carries the clerk’s seal, a signature, and a statement that the copy is a true and complete reproduction of the record on file. Courts reject uncertified printouts for any legal filing that requires proof of the document’s content. The clerk affixes the seal in person or mails the certified copy directly to the requesting party.
Mail-In Request Templates (WY and MT)
Send a written request that includes the case number, the party names, the document type, the date of filing, and your contact information. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the certified copy fee. Wyoming requires a notarized affidavit for sensitive records. Montana requires the same for sealed or restricted files.
Expediting Records and Verifying Authenticity
You can request expedited processing by phone or in writing. Both states charge an extra rush fee. To verify authenticity, ask the clerk to include the raised seal and the clerk’s original signature. Federal apostille authentication goes through the Wyoming Secretary of State or the Montana Secretary of State, depending on which state issued the document.
Apostille and Federal Authentication
For documents sent outside the United States, you need an apostille. Wyoming apostilles come from the Wyoming Secretary of State in Cheyenne. Montana apostilles come from the Montana Secretary of State in Helena. The U.S. Department of State handles federal court apostilles through its Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.
Privacy, Sealed Records and Legal Restrictions on Big Horn County Public Court Records
While the law favors public access, several categories of Big Horn court records stay sealed or restricted. The clerk cannot release them without a court order, and online portals do not display them. Researchers should expect blank results whenever a case falls into a sealed category.
Sealed, Expunged and Redacted Records
Sealed records show only a docket header with the case type and filing date. The party names, charges, and orders stay hidden. Expunged records show nothing at all. Redacted records show the case caption and some docket entries with sensitive information blacked out. Each state uses different formats but the same principle.
Juvenile Delinquency and Child Welfare Records
Montana Title 41, Chapter 3 protects juvenile records from public access. Wyoming W.S. §14-6-201 et seq. does the same. Both states limit access to the juvenile, the parents or guardians, the juvenile’s attorney, and the probation department. Researchers cannot view these records without a court order.
Victim Privacy and Marsy’s Law
Montana adopted Marsy’s Law in 2016 as a constitutional amendment. The law gives crime victims specific rights, including the right to privacy in certain court records. Wyoming crime victims have similar protections under the Wyoming Crime Victims Rights Act. Victim identities may be redacted in dockets and on document images.
Expungement Eligibility and the Big Horn County Process (2026)
Wyoming W.S. §7-13-1501 et seq. allows misdemeanor expungement after a waiting period and a clean record. Montana MCA §46-18-1001 covers deferred sentences, and §46-18-1101 covers youth court expungement. Both states require a petition, a filing fee, and a court hearing. Expunged records disappear from public view once the court grants the order.
Penalties for Misusing Court Records
Both states treat misuse of court records as a serious matter. Using court records to harass, stalk, or commit identity theft brings criminal charges. Employers who use court records for discriminatory decisions may face civil liability. Journalists and researchers should follow each state’s ethical rules and protect sensitive information they encounter.
Big Horn Court Records: Jurisdictional and Legal Resources
Use the following quick-reference block to confirm contact details and portal URLs before you start a search. Verify each link and phone number against the official state judiciary site before you rely on it, since online addresses and office hours change over time.
Wyoming Big Horn County Quick Reference
The Wyoming Big Horn County Courthouse sits at 604 C Avenue, Basin, WY 82410. The Clerk of District Court office runs the public research terminal during posted business hours, generally Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Wyoming Judicial Branch publishes local rules for the 8th Judicial District on its website. The free eAccess portal sits at judicialrecords.wyo.gov.
Montana Big Horn County Quick Reference
The Montana Big Horn County Courthouse sits at 121 West 3rd Street, Hardin, MT 59034. The Clerk of Court office serves walk-in requests during posted hours, generally Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Montana Judicial Branch publishes local rules for the 22nd Judicial District on its website. The Odyssey Public Access portal sits at odyssey.mt.gov, and the courts public portal sits at mtcrimportal.app.mt.gov.
Tribal and Federal Court Adjacent Records
The Crow Tribal Court covers the Crow Indian Reservation, which overlaps with Big Horn County, Montana. The court sits in Crow Agency and keeps its own records. Federal cases in either Big Horn County sit under the District of Wyoming (Cheyenne) or the District of Montana (Billings), both available through PACER.
Methods and Citations Used in This Page
This page relies on primary state statutes, the Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. §16-4-201 et seq.), the Montana Constitution Article II §9, Montana Code Annotated §2-6-101, and posted fee schedules from each county clerk. Last reviewed on July 31, 2026. Any updates to fees, hours, or portal URLs should be confirmed against the official state judiciary website before use.
Last reviewed: July 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Big Horn Court Records cover case files from two separate state court systems that share the same county name. Big Horn County, Wyoming and Big Horn County, Montana each maintain their own clerk offices, online portals, and search rules. Knowing which state holds your record saves time and prevents dead-end searches. You can access the Big Horn County court records database or run a Big Horn County judicial records search through official portals without paying a fee. This FAQ answers the most common questions about finding case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and document copies across both counties.
What are Big Horn Court Records and which county should I search first?
Big Horn Court Records include all case files, dockets, judgments, and motions from either Big Horn County, Wyoming or Big Horn County, Montana. Start by identifying the state that handled the case, since the two counties do not share a database. For Wyoming, the Clerk of District Court in Basin, Greybull, Lovell, or Cowley manages the filings. Meanwhile, Montana cases go through the Clerk of District Court in Hardin. Both clerks accept in-person, mail, and online search requests. Before you call, confirm the correct state to avoid wasted lookups.
How do I run a Big Horn County court records search online?
To run a Big Horn County court records search online, visit the Wyoming Judicial Branch site at courts.state.wy.us or the Montana Courts portal at courts.mt.gov. Wyoming hosts a free public search by name, case number, or attorney. Montana runs a similar search through its Court Connect system. First, enter the party last name, then narrow by county, year, and case type. Both sites show case status, hearing dates, and filed documents. After that, you can print or save results without an account, but certified copies require a small fee.
Where do I find free Big Horn County public court records?
Free Big Horn County public court records live on each state’s judiciary website. For Wyoming, the courts site posts dockets, civil judgments, and criminal dispositions for every county such as Big Horn. For Montana, the courts site posts district court calendars, minute entries, and case summaries. Likewise, you can walk into the courthouse and use the public terminal during business hours, usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Before you visit, bring the full legal name and date of birth to speed up the lookup. Third-party sites charge fees, so the official portals cost nothing.
What case types appear in a Big Horn County case records lookup?
A Big Horn County case records lookup covers criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters. For example, criminal files include misdemeanors, felonies, and DUI charges filed in district court. Likewise, civil files cover contract disputes, property damage, and personal injury claims above $7,000. Next, family court files hold divorce decrees, custody orders, and adoption records. Probate files list wills, estate inventories, and guardianship appointments. Meanwhile, traffic and misdemeanor citations appear in municipal court, not district court. Always check the case number prefix to confirm you pulled the right filing.
How do I request older Big Horn County courthouse records lookup copies?
To request older Big Horn County courthouse records lookup copies, contact the clerk’s office that handled the case. For Wyoming, district court files stay at the Basin courthouse, and older cases are microfilmed. For Montana, the Hardin office keeps files and sends anything older than 20 years to the state archives. Before you call, confirm the file still exists and ask about retrieval fees. After that, standard turnaround runs 3 to 5 business days. Finally, archived records may take up to 4 weeks, so plan ahead if you face a deadline.
Can I view sealed files through a Big Horn County court file search?
Sealed files do not show up in a standard Big Horn County court file search. Instead, only the judge who sealed the case, the parties named, and licensed attorneys of record can request access. First, you must file a written motion explaining why you need the records. Then, the court reviews your motion and schedules a hearing. After the judge rules, approved motions often come with redactions. Finally, expect a $25 to $50 filing fee plus possible attorney costs.