Montana Vital Records Search

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What are Montana Vital Records?

The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of all vital records for the state. These records include birth, death, fetal death, and adoption records. Vital records are necessary when applying for certain types of licenses, insurance, and validating your identity. Many vital records are confidential, and only certain people may gain access to them. The state of Montana allows you to get copies of Montana vital records through the mail, in person, and through the VitalChek network with who they partner.

Montana Birth Records

Montana has been keeping birth records since 1907. The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of maintaining them and issuing certified copies of birth certificates. Birth records are not public records in Montana; therefore, only certain people can get a copy. You can get copies through the Office of Vital Records by mail, in person, and they have partnered with VitalChek so you can order them online or by phone. Birth records come in handy when you need to get a driver's license, apply for a passport, government job, permit, or other situation where you need to prove your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Montana?

You can contact the Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records for birth certificates. If you need records older than 1907, you can contact the individual county courthouse where the person was born.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Montana?

The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records offers copies by mail, in person, and also through the VitalChek service. You must pay a fee and provide proper ID when requesting copies.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Montana?

A certified copy of your Montana birth certificate costs $12. You can also get a non-certified copy (informational purposes only) for $10. You can also pay for just a search, which spans five years for $10.

Who can request birth records?

Birth records in Montana are private. Therefore, only the following people can request copies:

  1. "The registrant (14 years old or older).
  2. The registrant's spouse.
  3. Children (with proof of relationship).
  4. Parents.
  5. Grandparents (with proof of relationship).
  6. A caretaker relative.
  7. A guardian.
  8. An authorized representative, or those who provide documentation showing it is needed for determination or protection of the individuals' personal or property rights."

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Montana birth certificate?

When requesting copies of a birth record, you must supply your own information, a valid photo ID, documenting proving your relationship and the following:

  1. The full name on the birth certificate.
  2. New name if changed.
  3. Date of birth.
  4. Place of birth (city or county).
  5. Gender.
  6. Mother's full maiden name.
  7. Father's full name.
  8. Your relationship to the person on the certificate.

Where can I find historical vital records in Montana for genealogy research?

The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records will not have all records going back as far as they began keeping birth records. If you need historical records, visit the local courthouse where the person was born. You may find records going back to 1790.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

Call the Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records to find out how to correct birth records.

Can I get a refund if my Montana birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Montana Death Records

Montana began keeping death records in 1907. The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of death records; they maintain them as well as issue copies upon request. Death records are public records, and as long as the person fills out an application, pays the fee, and provides proper ID and a reason, they can get a copy of someone's death records. Death records are needed when you apply for life insurance benefits and other situations where you need to validate someone's passing. The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records allows you to get copies through the mail, in person, and through the VitalChek service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Death Records

How do I find death records in Montana?

Contact the Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records for records from 1907 until the present. If you need them older, contact the courthouse where someone's death was filed. You can also search early U.S. Census Records online to find records going back to 1790.

Are death records public in Montana?

Yes. Anyone who fills out an application, pays the fee and provides ID and a purpose, can get a copy of someone's death record.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Montana?

The cost for a death record in Montana is $15. You can also request a non-certified copy for $13.

How long does it take to get a copy of a Montana death record?

The wait time if you order by mail is 2-3 weeks. If you visit in person, you can get a copy the same day.

Who can request death records?

Anyone with a reason who pays the fee, completes an application, and provides valid ID can get a copy of a death record.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Montana death certificate?

When requesting death records, you need to supply some information such as:

  1. The decedent's name.
  2. Date of death.
  3. Place of death.
  4. Place of birth.
  5. Date of birth.
  6. Gender.
  7. Parent's full names.
  8. Occupation.
  9. Spouse's name.
  10. Reason the record is needed.
  11. Your relationship to the deceased.
  12. The number of copies needed.

As the requestor, you must also supply your personal details and show a valid ID.

Where can I find historical death records in Montana?

Historical death information may be found in old Census records or the courthouses where the death record was filed.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

Contact the Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records by phone to correct an error on someone's death record.

Can I get a refund if my Montana death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Montana Marriage Records

The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records has marriage records, but they urge residents to contact them through the mail, by phone, or email to inquire about getting copies. You also have the option of contacting the Clerk of the court where your marriage license was filed to get a copy. Marriage records are important when you want to change your name or validate your identity. Marriage records in Montana are open to the public, and anyone can get a copy of someone's marriage record.

Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Marriage Records

Are Montana marriage records public?

Yes. Anyone who fills out an application, pays the fee and provides ID can get a copy of someone's marriage certificate.

What Montana marriage records are available?

The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records has marriage records going back to July of 1943. If you need older records, you must contact the courts where the person's marriage license was filed. You may find records as early as the 1700s.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Montana?

If you visit in person, you can get one same day. If you order through the mail or VitalChek, you will wait 2-3 weeks for a copy.

How much does a Montana marriage certificate cost?

A copy of a marriage certificate is $12 each. It includes a five-year search.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When requesting marriage records, you need some information such as:

  1. The full names of both parties.
  2. Date of the marriage.
  3. Place of the marriage.
  4. District court where the marriage license was filed.

How do I get a copy of a Montana marriage record?

You can contact the Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records, and they can get you a copy of a certificate, or you can contact the Clerk of the District Court in the county where your marriage license was granted.

What if I didn't get married in Montana?

If you were not married in Montana, contact the vital records office or courthouse where you were married (state/county).

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Anyone with an application, the correct information, and a valid ID who pays the fee.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Montana?

You must contact the Clerk of the District Court where your marriage license was filed.

Montana Divorce Records

The Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records does not maintain divorce records, but you can contact them via phone, mail, or email to inquire about getting copies. The Clerk of the District Court, where your divorce was granted, will be able to provide a copy of the divorce decree or simply a divorce certificate confirming the basic details. Divorces older than 1943 would have to go through the courts anyway. A divorce certificate comes in handy when you get remarried, change your name, or other situations where you want to validate that you were legally divorced.

Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Montana?

No. You can, however, contact either the Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records or the Clerk of the District Court, where your divorce was granted for copies.

How do I find old divorce records?

For any divorce records older than 1943, you should contact the Clerk of the District Court where your divorce was granted.

How much is a certified copy of a divorce record?

The cost for a certified copy of a divorce record in Montana is $12 each. You can get as many as you like, and that fee includes a five-year search.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

You can contact either the Clerk of the District Court where your divorce was granted or the Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records for a copy.

What information is needed to search for a Montana divorce record?

When searching for divorce records, you will need to provide your personal details, show a valid ID, pay the fee, and have the following:

  1. Full names of both parties.
  2. Date of divorce.
  3. Place of divorce (county/courthouse that granted the divorce).

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Montana?

If you were not married in the state of Montana, you must contact either the courts or the vital records in the state and county where your divorce was granted.

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