Why Run a Self Background Check in Montana?
Montana's geography means criminal records can come from any of 56 counties spread over a state larger than Japan. Whether your last brush with the law was in Yellowstone County or Hill County, the data has to make it to Helena to land in the state record. Knowing what's there, and what isn't, is worth the time and the modest fee.
1. Find and Fix Errors Before Employers See Them
Montana's Criminal History Online Public Record System (CHOPRS) draws from court and law-enforcement feeds across the state, and rural counties sometimes lag on disposition reporting. A self-check catches "open" cases that are actually closed, charges that were never refiled, and convictions tagged to the wrong person.
2. Confirm Expungement and Sealing Took Effect
Montana's expungement orders need to make their way from the sentencing court to the DOJ to actually remove the record from CHOPRS. The process isn't automatic. If you've been granted expungement under MCA 46-18-1104 or non-conviction sealing under recent reforms, running a self-check verifies the record was actually cleared.
3. Prepare for Healthcare, Education, and Licensing Reviews
Montana's Board of Medical Examiners, Board of Nursing, Office of Public Instruction, and Gaming Control Division all run fingerprint-based checks that pull both state and federal records. Knowing exactly what they'll see, including any flagged offenses or pending matters, lets you address concerns in your application rather than reacting to a denial.
4. Tenant Screening Across Growing Markets
The Bozeman-Big Sky and Missoula rental markets have tightened dramatically, and landlords run criminal background checks through commercial screening services that rely on Montana DOJ data. Outdated information can cost you a lease. Fixing it at the source is faster than appealing a denial.
What Shows Up on a Personal Background Check in Montana?
Felony and Misdemeanor Convictions
Felony convictions and most misdemeanor convictions handled by Montana district, justice, and municipal courts appear on the CHOPRS record unless expunged. The report shows offense, court, conviction date, and sentence.
Arrests
Arrest records are included on the Montana state record. Recent reforms allow petitioners to seal arrests that did not result in conviction, but unless sealed, the arrest remains visible on the state report.
Pending Charges
Open and pending charges that have been filed but not resolved appear on the CHOPRS record. If a case was dismissed and the disposition was never transmitted, the record will still appear "pending" until corrected.
What's Not Included
Federal court cases, out-of-state convictions, juvenile records (sealed), most traffic offenses (excluding DUI), and civil cases are outside the Montana DOJ system. A comprehensive self-check usually pulls these from separate sources.
How to Check Your Own Background in Montana
Option 1: Online CHOPRS Search ($20)
Go to the official site, create an account, enter your name and date of birth, and pay $20 per search by credit card. Results are delivered electronically within a few business days. This is the same source most Montana employers and licensing boards use for name-based checks.
Option 2: Mail-In Name-Based Check ($10)
Submit a Criminal History Record Request form to the DOJ Criminal Records and Identification Services Section in Helena with a $10 fee. Turnaround is 2–3 weeks. Form available
Option 3: Fingerprint-Based Check ($30 + FBI)
For the most accurate record, and what licensed professions require, submit fingerprints to the DOJ. State portion: $30. FBI portion: additional. This is required for healthcare, education, gaming, and many other professional licenses.
Option 4: Search Montana Courts
Montana's online court search provides access to district court case information statewide. This catches cases that may not yet be in CHOPRS and provides full case histories.
Option 5: FBI Identity History Summary ($18)
For nationwide coverage based on fingerprints, request an Identity History Summary directly from the FBI. Essential if you've lived or been arrested in multiple states.
Montana Background Check Laws You Should Know
MCA 46-18-1104 (Misdemeanor Expungement Eligibility)
Enacted in 2017 and expanded since, Montana's expungement statute allows:
- Most misdemeanor convictions to be expunged 5 years after completion of sentence
- Petition-based process, file a motion in the court of conviction
- Judicial discretion in granting expungement based on rehabilitation and public interest
- Excludes certain violent and sexual offenses
Non-Conviction Sealing
Recent reforms allow petitioners to seal arrest records that did not result in conviction, dismissed cases, and certain deferred-imposition outcomes. The DOJ's Criminal Records Section processes the sealing order once the court issues it.
Deferred Imposition of Sentence
Montana courts can defer imposition of sentence under MCA 46-18-201, after which the case can be dismissed and the record sealed. This is especially common for first-time offenders.
No Statewide Ban the Box
Montana has not passed a statewide Ban the Box law. The city of Missoula has voluntarily removed criminal-history questions from city job applications. Most private employers still ask on initial applications.
Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act
Third-party employment background checks in Montana are governed by the FCRA: written consent required, pre-adverse-action notice required, right to dispute errors, and 7-year cap on non-conviction reporting.
Montana Human Rights Act
The MHRA prohibits discrimination based on listed protected classes but does not specifically protect criminal history. EEOC guidance against blanket criminal-history bans applies in Montana as elsewhere, employers should conduct individualized assessments.
Should You Check Your Background Before Applying in Montana?
If you have any older conviction, any arrest that didn't lead to charges, or any expungement order you've never confirmed at the state level, yes. The $20 CHOPRS check is the easiest way to know exactly what employers, landlords, and licensing boards will see, and it gives you time to dispute errors or address concerns before they become deal-breakers.
Run Your Self Background Check in Montana
Take control of your Montana background information before applying for jobs or licenses. Review your records and fix errors early.
Order a Personal Background CheckUse your report to verify your history, then contact the appropriate Montana state agency or county courts if corrections are needed.
FAQs: Self Background Check in Montana
How do I run a self background check in Montana?
The fastest official route is the CHOPRS online portal: $20 per name search, results in a few business days. For deeper coverage, submit fingerprints to the DOJ, search Montana Courts online, or request an FBI Identity History Summary.
How far back do background checks go in Montana?
Montana has no state cap on how far back convictions can be reported. The federal FCRA caps non-conviction records at 7 years on third-party employment reports. Convictions can be reported indefinitely unless expunged.
Will expunged records show up on a Montana background check?
Records expunged under MCA 46-18-1104 or sealed by court order should be removed from CHOPRS and should not appear on FCRA-compliant employer reports. Because Montana expungement orders aren't automatic, verify yours was processed by running a self-check after the court order.
How much does a background check cost in Montana?
CHOPRS online: $20. Mail-in name-based: $10. Fingerprint-based: $30 state + FBI portion. FBI Identity History Summary: $18. Professional comprehensive multi-state checks: $20 to $80.
Do Montana employers need my permission to run a background check?
Yes, when they use a third-party background check company, the federal FCRA requires written authorization. Employers requesting records directly from the Montana DOJ must also have your authorization. You always have the right to see any report used in a hiring decision and dispute inaccuracies before final action.