Montana ranks 38th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#26of 51
Speed#32of 51
Ease of ordering#41of 51
Birth certificates #32 of 51
Cost
$16 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
In person: no walk-in at the state office; any County Clerk and Recorder takes in-person requests; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
Not published
Where to order
State office or a local county office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1907
Marriage records #36 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by county
Processing time
Varies by county
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by county
Where to order
County only: the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the license was issued
Order online
No statewide online ordering
Divorce records #27 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by county
Processing time
Varies by county
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by county
Where to order
County only: the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the divorce was granted
Order online
No statewide online ordering
Death certificates #25 of 51
Cost
$16 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
In person: no walk-in at the state office; any County Clerk and Recorder takes in-person requests; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
Not published
Where to order
State office or a local county office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1907
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Montana birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Montana birth certificate?
A certified Montana birth certificate costs $16 per copy. The fastest way is usually in person at any County Clerk & Recorder’s office in Montana, no matter which county the birth happened in. You can also order online or by phone through VitalChek or VRO, or by mail from Montana Vital Records in Helena. The state office no longer takes walk-ins.
Montana birth records: ordering details
Who can order
Certified copies go only to those authorized by 50-15-121 MCA: the person named, their spouse, children, parents or grandparents, a caretaker relative, a guardian, an authorized representative, or someone who documents that the record is needed to protect personal or property rights. Proof of relationship is required. Step-relatives, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and ex-spouses aren’t eligible. Anyone can get an informational copy of a birth that occurred at least 30 years ago.
Fee
$16 for each copy, certified or informational, short (abstract) or long form. Fees are non-refundable. Extras: VitalChek and VRO add service fees for card orders. A record search without a copy is $10 for up to 5 years, plus $1 for each extra year. Apostilles are handled by the Secretary of State ($10).
How to order
In person: any County Clerk & Recorder’s office in Montana; bring a valid photo ID. Online:VitalChek or VRO (customer service 1-855-252-1255). By phone: VitalChek, 1-888-877-1946 (credit card). By mail: the Birth Certificate Mail-In Application with a check or money order payable to “Montana Vital Records” to Montana Vital Records, PO Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604. Applications aren’t accepted by email.
ID needed
Mail: an enlarged, legible photocopy of both sides of a valid photo ID with a signature (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military or tribal ID), or two other IDs (one signed), or have the application notarized. In person: a current, valid photo ID.
Processing time
Montana Vital Records says processing times vary with staffing and workload and doesn’t post a figure. To check an order, email HHSVitalRecords@mt.gov or call 406-444-2685, option 2.
Older and local records
Montana Vital Records officially began filing births in 1907; it holds some earlier records, but many births before then were never recorded. Long-form certificates (for dual citizenship or tribal enrollment, for example) come only from the state office in Helena or the County Clerk & Recorder in the county of birth, not from just any county.
Tip: Need the long form? Say so on your request. Otherwise you’ll get the standard abstract version.
A certified Montana death certificate costs $16 per copy. Montana death records are open: anyone who completes an application, proves their identity and states a reason can get one. Order in person at any County Clerk & Recorder, online or by phone through VitalChek or VRO, or by mail from Montana Vital Records in Helena.
Montana death records: ordering details
Who can order
Anyone who submits a completed application, establishes their identity and lists the reason for needing the copy. If the cause of death is still “pending autopsy” or “pending investigation”, the certified copy is issued with the cause of death removed.
Fee
$16 for each copy, certified or informational. Non-refundable. Extras: VitalChek and VRO service fees for card orders.
How to order
In person: any County Clerk & Recorder’s office in Montana. Online:VitalChek or VRO. By phone: VitalChek, 1-888-877-1946. By mail: the Death Certificate Mail-In Application with a check or money order payable to “Montana Vital Records” to PO Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604.
ID needed
By mail, a photocopy of both sides of a valid photo ID with a signature, two other IDs (one signed), or a notarized application. In person, a valid photo ID.
Processing time
Not posted; Montana Vital Records says times vary with staffing and workload. Order status: HHSVitalRecords@mt.gov or 406-444-2685, option 2.
Older and local records
The state officially began filing deaths in 1907, with some earlier records on file. A long-form death certificate may be needed for some purposes; ask for it when ordering.
Tip: The standard abstract copy is accepted by most U.S. agencies, so you usually don’t need the long form.
Certified Montana marriage certificates come only from the Clerk of District Court in the county where the marriage license was purchased, which isn’t always where the ceremony took place. The state Office of Vital Records doesn’t issue copies, but it can search its index (1943 to present) to tell you which county has the record.
Montana marriage records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. verification
Certified copy: from the county Clerk of District Court. State index search: a certified letter giving the spouses’ names, the date and where the record is held. It isn’t a copy of the certificate.
Who can order
Certified copy: contact the Clerk of District Court. Index search: by mail on the state application.
Fee
Certified copy: varies by county. State index search: $10 for up to 5 years, plus $1 for each extra year.
Certified Montana divorce decrees come only from the Clerk of District Court in the county where the divorce was filed. The state Office of Vital Records can search its divorce index (1943 to present) to confirm the divorce and tell you which county has it.
Montana divorce records: ordering details
Decree vs. verification
Decree: from the Clerk of District Court. State index search: a certified letter with the names, the date and where the record is held.
Who can order
Decree: contact the Clerk of District Court. Index search: by mail on the state application.
Fee
Decree: varies by county. State index search: $10 for up to 5 years, plus $1 per extra year (marriage and divorce searches are charged separately).
How to order
Decree: contact the Clerk of District Court in the county where the divorce was filed (court locator). State index search: mail the search application to PO Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604.
ID needed
Contact the Clerk of District Court.
Processing time
County: varies. State index search: typically 7–10 business days.
Older records
The state index covers 1943 to present. For earlier divorces, contact the Clerk of District Court.
Tip: Not sure where the divorce was filed? A $10 index search will name the county.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Montana records people search for
Official Montana sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official Montana sites for other records
Court case lookup
Montana Judicial Branch There is no public statewide case search; records are kept by each district court clerk.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Montana public records
Certificate Information
The Department of Public Health & Human Services of Montana Office of Vital Statistics maintains birth and death certificate
information as well as marriage and divorce information. All birth and death records can be ordered online, by phone or by
sending a request by mail. Birth and death records searches cost $12 dollars and include one certified copy.
Marriage and divorce certificates are not available from the state vital records office, but a verification report with
local Clerk of Court who filed the application is available for a $12 dollar fee.
Adoption Records
Adoption records are archived by the court responsible for filing the adoption. All records from 1967 to 1997 are sealed except
in the case of proven good cause and a court order. Records before 1967 require a written request by an adoptee. All records
after 1997 must have a court order and also have permission by the birth parents to open the records.
Property Records
Property information comes for a variety of sources within the county government. Tax assessments and payments are managed by
either the treasurer, clerk or county recorder. Mapping and parcel viewers and handled by the geographic information systems
department in conjunction with the records from other departments.
