Clerk & Recorder - Home
The Recording Division of the County Clerk and Recorder's office is, by statute, the official records center for Missoula County. It is the responsibility of this office, according to law, to maintain records at a maximum level of efficiency for the benefit of public accessibility. The indexes to recorded documents are the primary directives to all the permanent records on file, and it is important that they be accurate and current. At present, all office indexes are maintained on the County computer, with updated print-outs available daily. Direct access to the indexes is possible by use of computer terminals in the office or the micro-fiche indexes which are ordered semi-annually and annually.
The importance of records is seen clearly on a daily basis as the office is used as a research center by private individuals and companies, government agencies, and lending institutions. In addition, the staff assist the public in attaining necessary information from the records and makes copies of all materials available at a cost set by law.
The Recording Division polices land transfer documents, certificates of survey and subdivision plats to enforce statutory requirements and subdivision regulations. The vital statistics records for Missoula County are another important resource in Recording. They back up records for the Montana State Department of Health and Environmental Sciences in Helena.
The Recording Division is required by statute to search uniform commercial code records and federal tax lien records upon request. Petitions for rural fire district annexations or detractions and for vacation of streets or roads are processed according to law. The State Department of Revenue also requests quarterly searches of real property records for ownership by persons who have died.
The Recording Office Division is responsible for maintaining all documents pertaining to actions of the Board of County Commissioners and miscellaneous matters. These records are frequently accessed by the County Attorney, Surveyor, and the general public.
More Information
We have applications available for certified copies of birth and death certificates on our "Forms" page. These forms are in .pdf format, which requires Adobe's Acrobat Reader in order to view. If you need other forms that are not available here, come by our office on the second floor of the Courthouse located at 200 W. Broadway in downtown Missoula or call our office at 406-258-4752.
