Montana Birth Records

The statewide standardized registration of births took effect in Montana in 1907. Before that, birth records were maintained at the county level by the District Courts clerks, in the jurisdiction where the birth occurred.

Montana birth records are the official documents certifying the live birth of an individual in the state. Birth records in Montana may be issued as certified copies or informational copies.

• Certified Copies: A certified copy of a birth record is the official, court-sealed document issued on secure paper, bearing a state seal and registrar's signature. In Montana, certified copies of birth records come in two types:
• Long-Form Birth Certificate: The long-form birth certificate is the full-size, original birth record. It contains comprehensive information about a registrant's birth, including full name, date of birth, birthplace, gender, weight, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupation. It also contains the name and signature of the attending physicians, certificate number, and filing date. The long-form birth certificate contains security features, such as a raised seal and the signature of the issuing officer, validating the document's legitimacy. In addition, it is printed on security paper to prevent duplication of the document. The long-form birth certificate is valid for all official purposes.
• Short-Form Birth Certificate: The short-form birth certificate, also called the abridged birth record, is the abbreviated version of a registrant's birth. It is less detailed than the long-form birth certificate, omitting information such as parents' birthplaces and occupations. Although it is a legal document, the short-form birth certificate is not valid for all legal transactions. Instead, the document is best suited when the key facts of birth are sufficient.
• Informational Copies: Informational copies of birth records contain comprehensive information about an individual's birth. However, the document lacks the official seal of the issuing office. In addition, informational copies of birth records are printed on plain paper. Therefore, they are not suitable for any legal purpose. Instead, informational copies are best suited for genealogy research or personal use.

How To Order Montana Birth Certificates?

Eligible persons may order certified copies of Montana birth certificates from 1907 to the present from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Office of Vital Records. You may order the document in person, online, or by mail. Online requests for birth certificates are through an independent service provider, who charges an extra fee, besides the certificate cost, to process and mail the documents.

Persons ordering certified copies of birth certificates by mail may download and complete the Birth Certificate Application form. Include a copy of an acceptable identification, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and the fees. If persons other than the registrant are ordering the birth certificate, include proof of eligibility to obtain the document. It costs $16 to order a certified copy of a birth certificate in Montana. Extra copies are also charged at $16. Mail the birth certificate request to:

In-person requests for birth certificates may go to the office in Helena or any county clerk and recorder's office where the birth occurred to obtain the document. In addition, birth records pre-1907, specifically 1895 to 1907, are accessible at the clerk of the District Court in the county where the birth occurred. Birth certificates pre-1895 are available at the state archives.

Are Birth Records Public in Montana?

No. Montana birth records are not public records. Per state law, birth records are confidential vital records restricted from the public. Therefore, the general public cannot request another person's birth certificate. Per state law, only specific individuals are eligible to request birth records in Montana.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Montana?

Montana law permits the following individuals to obtain certified copies of birth certificates:

• The person named on the birth certificate, if 14 years or older
• The biological or adoptive parents listed on the certificate
• Immediate family members, including spouses, children, grandparents,
• Legal guardians
• Authorized representatives
• Persons with a court order granting access to the birth certificate

How Long Does it Take to Get A Montana Birth Certificate?

It takes the Montana Office of Vital Records 2-3 weeks to process mail requests for birth certificates. Similarly, online requests are typically processed within 7-10 business days.

Montana Office of Vital Records does not officially offer a "rush" service through state agencies, but faster timelines may be achieved through in-person pickup at the county or state office. In addition, expedited processing is available for online requests, reducing the delivery time to 1-2 business days.

Where Can I Find Montana Birth Records Free?

In Montana, birth records are not public records. To this end, only eligible persons can access certified birth records. However, there are other resources non-eligible individuals may utilize to find informational copies of birth records at no cost.

The National Vital Records Archives is an online directory that lists every state's vital records office, including Montana's, with addresses, phone numbers, and date ranges covered. While the platform does not host records, it helps you verify where to request an informational copy.

FamilySearch.org hosts extensive genealogical indexes and many digitized images of Montana birth registers collated from county courthouses. Users may access birth registers and scanned images of the original birth certificates from 1840 to 2004 on the platform.

Ancestry.com is a genealogy website that provides free on-site access at public libraries or institutions, such as the Library of Congress, to historical birth records. The platform hosts county-level indexes of birth records from 1895 to 1960.

PublicRecords.us aggregates public records from multiple governmental sources to provide access to an extensive database of current and older vital records, including Montana birth records. The platform offers free access to basic birth information, such as registrant name, date of birth, and county of birth for free. Detailed information requires a minimal subscription fee.

When Would I Need My Montana Birth Records?

A Montana birth certificate is a foundational proof of identity, citizenship, and parentage. Therefore, birth certificates are required in a wide range of personal, legal, and governmental contexts, including:

• Passport application or renewal
• Obtaining a driver's license or state-issued ID
• Applying for or replacing your Social Security card
• Enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Enrolling in public schools, universities, and colleges
• Applying for a marriage license
• Accessing government benefits and assistance
• Employment background checks
• Conducting a legal name change
• Accessing insurance and pension benefits
• Establishing familial relationships in inheritance matters

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Montana?

If your birth certificate becomes illegible, torn, faded, missing, or stolen, you may replace the birth certificate in Montana. Replacing your birth certificate follows the same procedure as ordering a certified copy.

All replacement birth certificates may be filed at the Montana DPHHS Office of Vital Records online, by mail, or in person. To replace your birth certificate, download and complete the Birth Certificate Application form. Include a valid copy of a government-issued photo ID and the fees. If persons other than the registrant are ordering the record, include proof of your eligibility to request the birth certificate. It costs $16 to replace your birth certificate in Montana.

When Can the Public Access Montana Birth Certificates?

Montana birth certificates are confidential records for the first 30 years from the birth date. During that period, only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies of the birth certificate. After the 30-year period expires, birth certificates become public records in Montana. At that time, anyone may obtain copies of the birth record without showing proof of eligibility.

How To Correct an Error on a Montana Birth Certificate?

Montana laws permit the following corrections on a birth certificate issued in the state:

• Clerical or typographical errors, including misspellings. Incorrect dates or a misrecorded birthplace
• Sex misidentification at birth, where the original entry was incorrect.
• Parentage or surname adjustments. Requires a court order.
• Legal name changes

To amend your birth certificate, download and complete the Affidavit for Correction of a Vital Record form. On the form, state the incorrect information and specify the facts. Notarize the amendment form. Include documents that support the correct information and a copy of the birth certificate containing the error.

File the amendment request at the Montana DPHHS Office of Vital Records. There is no processing fee for birth certificates amended within the first year. You may only order additional certified copies at $16 each. However, after 1 year, there is a $25 fee to amend the birth certificate and an extra $16 to obtain the amended certificate.

Does Montana Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Montana does not permit a non-binary or gender-neutral marker on birth certificates. Montana defines sex as only "Male" and "Female" based on a person's sex assigned at birth. State law prohibits any amendments to gender markers on birth certificates except if the error is clerical. Therefore, Montana has no provision for residents to amend their birth certificates to reflect the non-binary gender marker "X".