Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
Independent records-search resource. This website is not a government agency, police department, sheriff's office, jail, prison or courthouse. Search coverage varies by source and jurisdiction. Some links may lead to third-party services, and compensation may be received when a partner service is used.
The Yellowstone County Jail roster is available through the official Yellowstone County Detention Facility inmate-search system in Billings, Montana. Visitors can search for people currently held at the detention center by name or booking date and access the full public jail roster.
This guide explains how to find an inmate, understand booking and charge information, check for mugshots, arrange video visits, deposit money, send mail, and confirm bond or release details using official Yellowstone County resources.
Open the official Yellowstone County Detention Facility inmate search. Enter the person’s name in Last Name, First Name format, or search by booking date. Complete the verification question and select Search. You can also select View Full Jail Roster to browse current custody records.
Booking and bond questions: 406-256-6881 — available 24 hours according to the county’s detention contact page.
The inmate-search system is operated on Yellowstone County’s official .gov website. Its search form requires a verification question, so searches must be completed on the official page.
Official Yellowstone County Jail Roster — Current Inmates
The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office provides an official online inmate-search page for individuals currently held at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility.
Unlike some Montana counties that publish only a static PDF, Yellowstone County offers a searchable interface with a name field, booking-date field, verification question, and full-roster option.
Search for a currently incarcerated person using a name or booking date. Complete the verification question before submitting.
Search Yellowstone County inmates →Access jail information, visitation procedures, services, contacts, and county resources.
Open detention facility information →How to view the full Yellowstone County Jail roster
Does the roster show everyone arrested in Yellowstone County?
No. The official search is designed for people currently held at the detention center. A person who was cited and released, transferred elsewhere, or already released may not appear in the current listing.
Is the Yellowstone County roster updated continuously?
The county describes its search results as reflecting the most current available custody information. However, online records can change after booking, court hearings, bond payments, and releases. Contact the detention booking desk for urgent confirmation.
Can I search without knowing the inmate’s name?
Yes. The official form includes a booking-date search option and a full-roster option. You can use those controls when the name is unknown or uncertain.
How to Search the Yellowstone County Jail Roster by Name
Yellowstone County’s official search form recommends entering the complete last name, followed by a comma and the first name.
Step-by-step inmate name search
The page includes an input for the inmate’s name.
Type the last name, a comma, and the first name.
The form displays a simple arithmetic question that must be answered before searching.
Submit the form and wait for the official results page.
Compare available identifying details to avoid confusing people with similar names.
Review any available booking or charge information.
Call the detention booking desk at 406-256-6881 if necessary.
How to search by booking date
Instead of entering a name, use the Booking Date field on the same page. The county’s example uses a month/day/year date format, such as 9/10/2026. Complete the verification question and submit the search.
Searching by date can help when you know approximately when someone was arrested but are unsure how their name appears in the system.
What if the security question fails?
Return to the search form, read the current question, and submit the correct answer. The county’s results page indicates that a failed verification or expired session may prevent results from loading.
Can I use the search on my phone?
Yes. Open the county’s official inmate-search page in a mobile browser. If the layout is difficult to use, rotate the phone, zoom as needed, or try a desktop browser.
Yellowstone County Jail Booking Records & Recent Arrests
A booking record is created when a person is admitted to the detention facility. It may document identification, admission time, charges, and other custody-related information.
Yellowstone County’s public inmate search can help identify current bookings, but it is not a complete historical database of every arrest made by the Billings Police Department or Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
How to find recent Yellowstone County bookings
What happens during booking?
Booking generally involves confirming a person’s identity, documenting the custody basis, inventorying personal belongings, and completing intake procedures.
Yellowstone County also uses an objective jail classification process. The county explains that classification considers custody and program needs, and most inmates are classified within approximately 24–48 hours of incarceration.
Does the booking date equal the arrest date?
Not necessarily. An arrest may occur before the person is transported to the detention facility and formally admitted.
Can I find an older booking after release?
Not necessarily through the current inmate roster. For an older record, contact the Sheriff’s Records office or the agency responsible for the arrest.
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
406-256-6881Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office
406-256-2935County-listed records office hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM.
Yellowstone County Jail Mugshots & Booking Photos
A mugshot is a photograph taken as part of a law enforcement identification process. Whether a particular Yellowstone County booking photograph is displayed publicly depends on the information available through the official system and applicable disclosure rules.
Do not assume every inmate record will contain a publicly accessible image.
How to check for a Yellowstone County mugshot
Can I request a booking photograph?
You may ask the Sheriff’s Office about the applicable records procedure. Release of a particular photograph depends on the record’s status and any applicable legal restrictions.
Are mugshots from commercial websites reliable?
Not always. Third-party mugshot websites may preserve outdated arrest information or omit later court outcomes. Verify the person’s current custody and case disposition with official sources.
Does a mugshot prove someone committed a crime?
No. A booking photograph identifies a person associated with an arrest or detention record. It does not establish guilt.
Yellowstone County Jail Roster Fields Explained
The following terms can appear in inmate-search results, booking records, or related court records. Not every field is guaranteed to appear in the public Yellowstone County interface.
| Field | Meaning | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Inmate Name | Name associated with the custody record | Confirm identity before assuming a match |
| Booking Number | Identifier for a jail admission | May differ from the court case number |
| Jacket Number | Facility inmate identifier | Required for some mail and deposit procedures |
| Booking Date | Date of admission to the jail | May differ from arrest date |
| Charge | Alleged offense or custody basis | Not proof of guilt |
| Bond | Financial or other court-ordered release conditions | Verify the current order with the court or jail |
| Arresting Agency | Law enforcement agency associated with the arrest | May maintain a separate incident report |
| Case Number | Identifier assigned by the court | Useful for searching court records |
| Hold / Detainer | Additional legal basis for continued custody | May prevent immediate release |
| Release Status | Whether a person remains in custody | Confirm directly when time-sensitive |
What If Someone Is Missing from the Yellowstone County Jail Roster?
How to locate a person who does not appear
What if the arrest happened in Billings?
Billings Police Department arrests may lead to detention at Yellowstone County Detention Facility, but that is not guaranteed. Confirm the holding location rather than assuming every Billings arrest appears on the county jail roster.
What if the arrest happened in Laurel?
Laurel is within Yellowstone County, but the actual custody location still depends on the arrest and detention circumstances. Use the official county search and call booking if necessary.
Can the jail confirm a transfer?
Contact the detention booking desk for available custody information. The county does not disclose confidential transport arrangements.
Yellowstone County Jail Bail, Bond & Payment Procedures
Yellowstone County’s official detention FAQ explains that fines and bonds are generally handled by the court responsible for the offense during regular court business hours. After hours, eligible payments may be handled at the detention facility.
For the current bond amount, outstanding holds, or questions about where to pay, call 406-256-6881.
Detention Booking: 406-256-6881
During court business hours: Contact the court handling the case.
After court business hours: The detention facility may accept eligible bond payments.
How to post bond for a Yellowstone County inmate
Can bond be paid at the jail after hours?
According to the official county detention FAQ, bond may be posted at the detention facility after the relevant court’s regular business hours. Call first to confirm that the specific bond is eligible and to obtain payment instructions.
Can I use an inmate commissary account to pay bond?
Do not assume so. A commissary or trust deposit is different from a court-authorized bond payment.
Does paying bond guarantee immediate release?
No. Other holds, pending court orders, and administrative processing can affect the release time.
Yellowstone County Court Records & Criminal Case Search
A jail roster shows available custody information. A court record shows judicial proceedings, which may include filed charges, hearings, case status, and dispositions.
Montana provides separate public-access portals for District Courts and Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. Yellowstone County criminal matters may involve District Court, Justice Court, or a municipal court, depending on the case.
Use for available district court cases, including many felony proceedings.
Open District Court portal →Use for available Justice, City, and Municipal Court cases.
Open limited-jurisdiction portal →How to search a Yellowstone County criminal case
Yellowstone County District Court contact
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: 406-256-2851
Mailing address: P.O. Box 35030, Billings, MT 59107
Official 13th Judicial District information →When are jail-related court hearings held?
Yellowstone County’s detention FAQ identifies the following general video-court arrangements:
| Court | County-Listed Schedule | Public Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| Billings City Court | Monday–Friday, beginning at 8:30 AM | City Court, second floor of City Hall |
| Justice Court | Monday, Wednesday, Friday; arraignments beginning at 3 PM | Yellowstone County Courthouse |
| District Court | Monday–Friday video-court proceedings | Yellowstone County Courthouse |
These are the general arrangements described in the county detention FAQ, not a guarantee that a particular person’s hearing will occur at those times. Confirm the case-specific schedule with the court.
Can I view all filed court documents online?
No. Montana’s public portals are primarily searchable case indexes. Access to filed documents or official copies may require contacting the court clerk and paying applicable fees.
Does a jail charge always match the final court disposition?
No. Charges may be amended, dismissed, or resolved differently during the judicial process. Check the court’s available disposition information for the case outcome.
Yellowstone County Jail Video Visitation — NCIC
Yellowstone County Detention Facility uses electronic video visitation. The official county visitation page states that inmates receive two free video visits per week, while additional visits may be purchased.
Friends and family can visit using a smartphone, laptop, or computer with a camera and microphone. Visitor kiosks are also available in the detention facility lobby.
An NCIC account is required for video visitation.
Provider: NCIC
Free visits: Two video visits per inmate per week, according to the county.
Additional visits: May be purchased.
Access: Remote device or facility lobby kiosk.
How to schedule a Yellowstone County inmate video visit
Does Yellowstone County allow face-to-face visits?
The county’s detention FAQ states that face-to-face visitation is not currently planned to resume in the near future because of staffing and security considerations. Video visitation is the established method described by the facility.
When can an inmate receive video visits?
The county explains that video visits become available after an inmate moves into a housing unit and has access to a kiosk or tablet. Actual availability depends on the inmate’s housing-unit schedule and facility operations.
Can a video visit be canceled?
Yes. The county notes that visits and inmate schedules may be canceled because of facility operations or emergencies.
Are lobby kiosks available?
Yes. The official visitation page states that visitor kiosks are available in the detention facility lobby. Confirm current lobby access arrangements before traveling.
Yellowstone County Jail Inmate Phone Calls & Electronic Messages
Yellowstone County identifies NCIC as the provider for inmate communications, including telephone services, video visits, and electronic messaging.
Family members and friends can use an NCIC communications account for eligible services.
Provider: NCIC
Customer service / billing: 1-800-943-2189
Services: Phone calls, video visitation, and electronic messaging where available.
Important: The customer-service number is not an inmate’s direct telephone number.
How to set up an inmate phone account
Can I call an inmate directly?
Do not assume that calling the detention facility’s booking number will connect you to an inmate. Use the approved communications system.
Are calls and video visits monitored?
Ordinary correctional communications may be monitored or recorded under facility rules. Attorneys should use the facility’s approved confidential legal communication procedures.
How much do calls cost?
Rates depend on the current NCIC service and account options. Check the provider’s pricing before adding money.
Can I transfer communications money to commissary?
No. Yellowstone County’s official FAQ states that funds cannot be transferred from an inmate’s communications account to the inmate’s trust account.
Yellowstone County Jail Commissary & Inmate Money Deposits
Yellowstone County Detention Facility distinguishes between two inmate account types:
Used for approved commissary purchases such as snacks and hygiene items.
Online provider: Inmate Canteen
Open Inmate Canteen →Used for eligible phone calls, additional video visits, and electronic messaging.
Provider: NCIC
Open NCIC →How to add money to an inmate’s trust account
The county lists three methods for funding a trust account:
Inmate’s Jacket Number
ATTENTION MAIL OFFICER
3165 King Ave E
Billings, MT 59101
According to the county, the money order should be made out to the inmate’s full name. Do not mail cash or personal checks. The county warns that money orders missing ATTENTION MAIL OFFICER in the address will be returned.
How to deposit through Inmate Canteen
Can family members order commissary packages?
Yes. The county’s official detention FAQ directs family members to Inmate Canteen for available commissary purchases and care-package options.
Can trust-account money be used for phone services?
The county states that inmates may transfer funds from their trust account to their communications account, subject to applicable fees. Transfers in the opposite direction are not permitted.
When is commissary delivered?
The county FAQ publishes delivery arrangements by housing unit, including Thursday and Friday regular commissary deliveries for different units. These schedules are operational and may change; ask the inmate or facility for the current schedule.
Yellowstone County Jail Inmate Mail — Correct Addresses & Rules
Yellowstone County Detention Facility has a specific mail-scanning process for ordinary personal correspondence.
Do not send ordinary personal inmate letters directly to the Billings jail. The county’s official mail policy directs personal correspondence to a third-party scanning address in Texas.
Address for ordinary personal inmate letters
Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone Co. Detention Facility
P.O. Box 591
Long View, Texas 75606
The city is written as “Long View” in the county’s published mail-policy PDF. Use the exact current address supplied by the jail or its mail vendor when preparing the envelope.
Personal inmate mail restrictions
| Rule | County Policy |
|---|---|
| Maximum pages | 5 pages per letter |
| Printing | Write on the front side only |
| Maximum page size | 8.5 × 11 inches |
| Photographs | Maximum 1 photo per letter |
| Legal / medical mail | Not accepted at the personal-mail scanning address |
| Books / packages | Not accepted through the personal-mail scanning process |
| Original letters | Destroyed after processing |
How to send a personal letter
Where should attorneys send legal mail?
The county’s legal-mail policy requires mail from an attorney or court to be marked LEGAL MAIL and sent directly to the detention facility.
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Ave E
Billings, MT 59101
Legal mail must include the sender’s name, return address, and telephone number for verification. Personal mail labeled as legal mail does not qualify for legal-mail treatment.
Can I send books or magazines?
Yes, subject to the county’s separate book and magazine policy. The published rules require new paperback materials, limit size to 8.5 × 11 inches, and permit up to five items. Materials must be shipped directly from a recognized publisher or distributor, not from an unapproved third-party seller.
Books and magazines are shipped to the Billings detention facility, not the personal-letter scanning address.
Yellowstone County Jail Inmate Property Release
Personal belongings collected during booking may be stored by the detention facility. Items seized as criminal evidence are subject to separate procedures.
The county’s official FAQ states that approved released property can be picked up at the Booking Window.
How to arrange property pickup
Can property pickup take time?
Yes. Yellowstone County advises that delays can occur at the Booking Window on busy days.
Can I collect property held as evidence?
Not necessarily. Evidence may remain with the investigating agency until the responsible authority authorizes its release.
Can the jail pass a message to an inmate?
The county states that staff generally do not pass personal messages to inmates unless they concern a verifiable emergency, such as a death in the family or emergency surgery.
Yellowstone County Jail Release Dates & Custody Confirmation
A person’s release may depend on court orders, bond processing, completion of a sentence, or resolution of additional holds.
Yellowstone County’s detention FAQ states that inmates being released leave through the main lobby of the detention facility.
Detention Booking: 406-256-6881
Release location: Main lobby, Yellowstone County Detention Facility, 3165 King Avenue East, Billings.
Ask staff whether the person is still in custody and whether release processing is complete before arranging transportation.
How to confirm release information
Does the roster show a guaranteed release time?
No. Even if an expected release date is available, it may change. The detention facility is the appropriate source for current custody confirmation.
Can I receive release notifications?
Victims and other eligible users may have access to notification services through applicable Montana programs. Ask the relevant prosecutor, victim services office, or correctional agency which notifications are available for the particular case. Do not assume the Yellowstone County roster automatically sends release alerts.
Can I find out when an inmate will be transported?
No. Yellowstone County’s official detention FAQ identifies inmate transportation information as confidential.
How to Request Yellowstone County Jail & Sheriff’s Records
Different offices maintain different types of records. Identifying the correct office helps avoid delays.
Detention Booking
406-256-6881Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office
406-256-2935Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court
406-256-2851How to request an older booking or incident record
Are all Yellowstone County arrest records public?
No. Public access depends on the type of record and applicable Montana law. Some information may be confidential, restricted, or unavailable through the online roster.
Can I request a certified court disposition from the jail?
No. Contact the court clerk responsible for the case. A jail custody record is not a substitute for an official court disposition.
Where can I find the Sheriff’s Office?
The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office is located at 2323 2nd Avenue North in Billings. Its general administration number is 406-256-2929.
Yellowstone County Detention Facility Address, Phone & Map
Billings, MT 59101
Booking: 406-256-6881
Administration: 406-256-6900
Medical Room: 406-256-6997
Booking information: 24 hours.
Administration hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.
Get directions to the jail →Billings, MT 59101
Administration: 406-256-2929
Sheriff’s Records: 406-256-2935
Civil Division: 406-256-2959
The sheriff’s administration and the detention facility are at different locations.
Official Sheriff’s Office details →Google Map — Yellowstone County Jail in Billings
Where is Yellowstone County Jail located?
The detention facility is located at 3165 King Avenue East in Billings, Montana. This is the location for detention booking, approved lobby services, and inmate release pickup.
Can I visit the jail without an appointment?
Do not assume that a walk-in visit is available. Yellowstone County uses electronic video visitation through NCIC, including remote visits and lobby kiosks.
Where are inmates released?
The county identifies the main detention facility lobby as the release location.
Where should I send inmate mail?
Ordinary personal letters must be sent to the separate Texas scanning address. Legal mail and eligible money orders have different instructions. See the mail section.
Official Yellowstone County Jail & Montana Resources
Official inmate search by name or booking date, with a full-roster option.
Open inmate search →Official facility information and department links.
Open facility homepage →Official booking, administration, medical, and facility contact information.
Open jail contacts →County instructions for bonds, commissary, video visits, property release, and court appearances.
Read detention FAQ →NCIC account setup, remote visitation, lobby kiosks, and free video visits.
Read visitation rules →Personal-mail scanning address, page limits, photograph restrictions, and legal-mail procedures.
Open mail policy PDF →Requirements for sending new books and magazines through approved distributors.
Open book rules PDF →County-identified provider for eligible inmate trust deposits and commissary purchases.
Open Inmate Canteen →County-identified inmate telephone, messaging, and video-visitation provider.
Open NCIC →Official links to District Court and Limited Jurisdiction Court public case indexes.
Open Montana court portals →Official Yellowstone County court locations and contact details.
Open court directory →Official law enforcement, records, and civil division information.
Open Sheriff’s Office →Source and accuracy note: Facility details and procedures in this guide are based on Yellowstone County’s official detention, visitation, FAQ, contact, and published mail-policy pages, together with Montana Judicial Branch resources. Policies, vendor fees, schedules, and custody records can change. Verify time-sensitive arrangements with the facility before paying, mailing, visiting, or traveling.
Yellowstone County Jail Roster — 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I search the Yellowstone County Jail roster?
Visit the official Yellowstone County Detention Facility inmate-search page at yellowstonecountymt.gov/Sheriff/Detention/dcsearch.asp. Enter the inmate’s name in Last Name, First Name format or search by booking date. Complete the verification question and select Search. You can also use the View Full Jail Roster option.
2. Where is Yellowstone County Detention Facility located?
Yellowstone County Detention Facility is located at 3165 King Avenue East, Billings, MT 59101. The detention booking telephone number is 406-256-6881, and the administration number is 406-256-6900.
3. Can I search Yellowstone County Jail bookings by date?
Yes. The official inmate-search form includes a Booking Date field. Enter the date using the format shown on the page, complete the verification question, and submit the search. The system is intended for current detention records rather than a complete historical arrest archive.
4. Can I find Yellowstone County Jail mugshots online?
Search the official inmate portal and review the available individual record details for a booking photograph, if displayed. Not every record is guaranteed to include a public photo. Contact Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Records at 406-256-2935 to ask about requesting a particular booking photograph.
5. What if someone is not listed on the Yellowstone County Jail roster?
The person may have been released, transferred, recently arrested, or entered under a different name. A failed verification question or expired search session can also prevent results. Try the name, booking-date, and full-roster options, then call detention booking at 406-256-6881.
6. How do I post bond for a Yellowstone County Jail inmate?
Call detention booking at 406-256-6881 to verify the current bond amount and any holds. Yellowstone County states that bonds are generally handled by the responsible court during regular business hours, while eligible after-hours bonds may be handled at the detention facility. Confirm accepted payment methods before paying.
7. How do I schedule a Yellowstone County Jail visit?
Yellowstone County uses NCIC electronic video visitation. Create an account through ncic.com and follow the provider’s scheduling instructions. The county states that inmates receive two free video visits per week, with additional visits available for purchase. Lobby kiosks are also available.
8. How can I send money to a Yellowstone County inmate?
For commissary or trust funds, use the county-identified Inmate Canteen website, the blue kiosk in the facility lobby, or an eligible money order following the jail’s exact ATTENTION MAIL OFFICER instructions. For telephone, messaging, or video communications funds, use NCIC. The two account types are different.
9. What is the correct mailing address for Yellowstone County Jail inmates?
Ordinary personal inmate letters must be sent to the county’s mail-scanning address: Inmate Name, Inmate Jacket Number, Yellowstone Co. Detention Facility, P.O. Box 591, Long View, Texas 75606. The county’s mail policy limits letters to five single-sided pages and warns that original letters are destroyed after processing. Legal mail uses the Billings facility address instead.
10. How do I check a Yellowstone County inmate’s court case or release status?
Use the Montana Courts public-access portals at courts.mt.gov/Courts/portals for available District Court and Limited Jurisdiction Court case information. For current custody or release confirmation, call Yellowstone County Detention Booking at 406-256-6881. The county states that inmates are released through the detention facility’s main lobby.