Table of Contents
What are Montana Vital Records?
Vital records in Montana are the official records of all births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the state of Montana. Anyone can view vital records in Montana, and informational copies of most vital records are available to anyone after a certain period of time. However, access to certified copies of vital records is generally restricted to family members, the registrant, and other persons who can show a tangible interest in the record.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Montana?
Montana law restricts access to even informational copies of birth certificates for the first 30 years. After that period, anyone can obtain an informational copy of a Montana birth certificate. Prior to that time, only the following persons may obtain a copy of a Montana birth record:
- The registrant if they are at least 14 years of age at the time of the request.
- The registrant's parents.
- The registrant's legal guardians.
- The registrant's spouse.
- The registrant's children.
- The registrant's grandparents.
- A legal representative of the registrant.
- Anyone with a court order.
If eligible, to obtain a copy of a Montana birth certificate, you may contact the Clerk of Court and recorder's office in the Montana county where the birth occurred. Each county will have its own requirements for obtaining a birth certificate copy.
The Montana Vital Records Office maintains a registry of all births that occurred in the state of Montana. You may obtain a copy of a Montana birth certificate from this office by mail, in person, or online. To obtain a copy from this agency by mail, you should complete a Montana Department of Health Birth Certificate Application and mail your completed application, a copy of your acceptable photo ID (such as a valid driver's license), and a check or money order, payable to Montana Vital Records, to:
Montana Vital Records
P.O. Box 4210
Helena, Montana 59604-4210
For more information, you may call the office of Vital Records at 406-444-2685.
The cost of each certified copy of a Montana birth certificate is $12. Each copy of an informational copy of a Montana birth certificate is $10.
You may also obtain a copy of a Montana certified birth certificate in person by visiting:
Montana Vital Records
Department of Public Health and Human Services
111 North Sanders Street
Room 6
Helena, MT 59604
You may obtain a copy of a Montana birth certificate online or by phone by contacting VitalChek at (888) 877-1946, or by visiting https://www.vitalchek.com/. VitalChek charges additional fees for processing your order online or by phone.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Death Certificate in Montana?
Informational copies of Montana death records are available to anyone. However, only people who have a tangible interest in the record may obtain a certified copy of a Montana death certificate. These persons generally include:
- A child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of the decedent.
- The surviving spouse of the decedent.
- A parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent of the decedent.
- A sibling of the decedent.
- An heir of the decedent.
- An authorized representative of one of the above parties.
- Anyone with a court order.
If eligible, to obtain a copy of a Montana death certificate, you may contact the Clerk of Court and recorder's office in the Montana county where the death occurred. Each county will have its own requirements for obtaining a death certificate copy.
The Montana Vital Records Office maintains a registry of all deaths that occurred in the state of Montana. You may obtain a copy of a Montana death certificate from this office by mail, in person, or online. To obtain a copy from this agency by mail, you should complete a Montana Department of Health Death Certificate Application and mail your completed application, a copy of your acceptable photo ID (such as a valid driver's license) showing proof of relationship, and a check or money order, payable to Montana Vital Records, to:
Montana Vital Records
P.O. Box 4210
Helena, Montana 59604-4210
For more information, you may call the office of Vital Records at 406-444-2685.
The cost of each certified copy of a Montana death certificate is $16. Each copy of an informational copy of a Montana death certificate is $14.
You may also obtain a copy of a Montana death certificate in person by visiting:
Montana Vital Records
Department of Public Health and Human Services
111 North Sanders Street
Room 6
Helena, MT 59604
You may obtain a copy of a Montana death certificate online or by phone by contacting VitalChek at (888) 877-1946, or by visiting https://www.vitalchek.com/. VitalChek charges additional fees for processing your order online or by phone.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Montana Marriage Certificate?
Informational copies of Montana marriage records are available to anyone after 30 years. Prior to that time, access to Montana marriage records is restricted and only the following persons may obtain a copy:
- The married parties.
- The parents of the parties.
- The grandparents of the parties.
- The children of the parties.
- A legal representative of the parties.
- Anyone with a court order.
To obtain a copy of a Montana marriage certificate, you may contact the District Clerk of Court's office in the Montana county where the marriage license was issued. Each county district court will have its own requirements for obtaining a marriage certificate copy.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services does have a statewide index to help you locate marriage certificates for marriages that occurred in the state of Montana since 1943. After determining where the marriage occurred, you will need to contact the local Montana county clerk of court's office.
To access the statewide index, you should contact the Office of Vital Statistics at 406-444-4226 or by mail at:
Office of Vital Statistics
111 North Sanders
Room 6
P.O. Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604
How Can I Get a Copy of a Divorce Record in Montana?
Access to informational copies of Montana divorce records is available to anyone. Full access to Montana divorce records is limited to persons with a proven, tangible interest, including the following persons:
- The divorced parties.
- The parents of the parties.
- The children of the parties.
- The attorneys of the parties.
- A legal representative of the parties.
- Anyone with a court order.
To obtain a copy of a Montana divorce record, you may contact the District Clerk of Court's office in the Montana county where the divorce decree was granted. Each county will have its own requirements for obtaining a copy of the divorce record.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services does have a statewide index to help you locate divorce certificates for divorces that occurred in the state of Montana since 1943. After determining where the divorce judgment was granted, you will need to contact the local Montana county clerk of court's office.
To access the statewide index, you should contact the Office of Vital Statistics at 406-444-4226 or by mail at:
Office of Vital Statistics
111 North Sanders
Room 6
P.O. Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604