Query Tips

How does this search form work?

Each type of report uses basically the same method of searching the database to find the information you request. Hopefully these hints will help you sucessfully find the information you need (do not use quotation marks when using the search engine). If not, you can always contact the webmistress. Good luck!

Important Basics of Searching:

1. Enter broad information.	If you enter a specific name(for example: "Anderson, Mike"), there is always a chance that the document was recorded under "Michael", or "Michael A.", or that someone misspelled Micheal's name. Entering only a last name ensures that any records under the last name "Anderson" will be pulled up. Another option is to enter something like "Anderson, M." This will pull up all records of people with the last name "Anderson", first name beginning with "M".


2. You can use more than one type of information to search.	If Michael Anderson lives on Lewis, you would enter "Anderson, M" in the name field, and "Lewis" in the street field. This will pull up any records of an Anderson whose first name starts with M with property on Lewis Avenue. Be careful though, narrowing a search can result in "no records found" if the information you supply is not entered absolutely the same way as the information in the record you are looking for. Most of the time it's easier to limit the information you supply to one or two types.


3. Use only the number when searching for numbered streets.	If you are looking for property on 6th Street West, DO NOT enter "6th Street West". Remember, the information you supply must match the records completely, or no records are found. Instead, let the computer match the numbers for you. For 6th Street West, enter "6th". For North 24th Street, enter "24th". It is best to have an address number when searching numbered streets, because an open search for "6th" will bring up all addresses on 6th St. W., N. 6th St., 6th Ave., etc...

*** Methods of Searching ***

Property Tax ID: You must enter 6 characters in the Property Tax ID box, usually a letter followed by 5 numbers. Whatever tax code you enter will pull up the record that matches that code first, and then all subsequent records below it. If you enter less than 6 characters in the box, no records will be found.

Entering "C12345" will produce a listing of any tax id starting with "C12345" (C12345, C12345A, C12345B, etc.).

Owner Name : To search using the owner's name, you must enter a minimum of 3 characters in the Owner Name box. The last name must be entered first followed by a comma, then the first name. Following are some examples of the results different combinations will produce:

Entering "SMI" will produce a listing of all names beginning with "SMI" (Smith, Smitty, Smite, etc.).

Placing a comma after the last name "Smith," will produce a listing of any person with the last name of "Smith".

Expanding on the above example, "Smith, A" will produce a listing of any person with the last name of "Smith" and a first name beginning with an "A".

Street Address : the street address consists of two boxes. The first is the street number followed by the street name. The street number is not required. The street name has a minimum limit of three characters. Following are some examples of different methods of searching:

Street number : entering "12" plus a street name will produce a listing on any house/property that has "12" in the street number (1234, 123, 312, etc.). Entering a leading space before the number " 12" will produce a listing of any number beginning with "12".

Street Name : Entering "GRA" (minus the quotes) will produce a listing of any streets that start with "GRA" (Grand, Grandview, etc.). Entering "Grand" will produce a listing of any addresses on Grand Ave., but entering "Grand Avenue" or "Grand Ave." will usually produce no records, so don't make your search too narrow!

Combining number and name : entering a street number of " 6" (leading space) with a street name of "Lewis" will produce a listing of the houses/properties on the 600 block of Lewis. By dropping the leading space on the street number, the query will return a listing of any house/property with a "6" in the street number on "Lewis".

Subdivision, Lot & Block : these options can be used to search with the legal description of a parcel(s). The Subdivision name is required. Block and lot information is optional. You must enter a minimum of 3 characters in the Subdivision box, or no records will be returned.

Subdivision: : The subdivison name must match exactly to the stored data. Unfortunately, not all properties within a subdivision may be entered the same. Human errors may exist and cause omissions. Because of this, it's best to only enter the first few letters of the subdivision name.

Block : The block number will narrow selections to only those properties that are on that same block.

Lot : The lot number should retrieve only one property within the subdivision if all the other information you supply matches the stored data.

Geo Code : this box will search with the Department Of Revenue Geo Code. If you wish to search by Geo Code, click on the words "Geo Code" in the form, and you will be shown an explanation of geo codes as well as a map displaying the basic Yellowstone County geo codes.

The condensed report will return up to 45 records. If you reach that limit, you will need to narrow your search criteria.