In 1993, the Legislature created a Local Government Records Committee (MCA 2-6-1201) to oversee the preservation and disposal of public records kept by local governments and school districts.
The Local Government Records Committee meets at least twice a year to approve, modify, or reject proposals for local government and school district records retention and disposition schedules. The subcommittee consists of the state archivist, one of the local government records managers, and the representative of the department of administration.
Retention provides a minimum period of time that a specific type of record must be retained and preserved and the appropriate disposal method (toss, shred, etc).
View the current Local Government (City, County) Records Retention Schedules and Information.
If your agency needs to add a record series to the general schedule, or change a record series, please use the forms below:
To add a retention schedule to a record series:
Template and Instructions – PDF
Template and Instructions – Word Doc
To change the retention schedule of a record series:
Request for Change in Records Schedule
Please mail or email a signed original form to:
Local Government Services Bureau
P.O. Box 200547
Helena MT 59620-0547
To submit a request for disposal, complete the Local Government Disposal Authorization Form
Please mail or email a signed original form to:
Local Government Services
P.O. Box 200547
Helena MT 59620-0547
Introduction to Montana Local Government Records Schedules
Appendix A
Appendix B
Retention Schedule
Template and Instructions – PDF
Template and Instructions – Word
Request for Change in Records Schedule
Disposal Form
Instructions
Printable PDF
Fillable Word Form
If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]
Marty Rehbein
City of Missoula
Office of the City Clerk
Jodie Foley
Montana Historical Society
State Archives
Bonnie Ramey
Jefferson County
Office of the Clerk and Recorder
Beth Riitano
Department of Administration
Local Government Services
Terry Atwood
Genealogy Representative
Ray Dagnall
RIM/ARM
Paige Trautwein
Ravalli County Clerk of the District Court
Nicole Koefelda
Silver Box Archives
Government Records Archivist
If you have questions, please contact the RIM Division at [email protected] or call (406) 444-9009.