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Learn how to order a Montana Death Certificate from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The current processing time is from 3 to 4 weeks. The state fee for a certified copy is $16.00 each. Montana death records are public records that can be requested by anyone who completes an application, pays the required fee, and provides valid identification.
You can now order Montana death certificate through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order death certificate. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your death certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the Montana DPHHS by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Confirm and review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times before ordering to ensure a smooth application process.
Requesting a Montana death certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
In Montana, you must provide either one form of valid primary identification, such as a driver's license or passport, or two forms of valid secondary identification to request a death certificate. Below is a table listing acceptable forms of ID.
Death certificate in Montana are considered public records. They can be accessed by anyone who presents valid identification and completes the application process. If you do not have a valid form of identification, you can ask an authorized family member—such as a parent, grandparent, child, or spouse—to request it on your behalf. They will need to provide proof of their relationship to you, which can include copies of their birth certificate or marriage licenses.
Primary ID Requirements Options (Need at least 1) | Secondary ID Requirements Options (Need at least 2, and one must have a signature) |
|---|---|
Driver's license | Utility bills Bank Statement School Identification Card Company Employment Identification card Vehicle registration Income tax return Signed Social Security card Paycheck stub with imprinted information W-2 Medical/Medicare insurance card Voter Registration ATM Card College ID Court Documents with Current Address Major Credit Card DD-214 Form Debit Card Fishing License Insurance Record Medicaid Card Military Discharge Traffic ticket Voter Registration Card Work ID |
Cost & fees
The Montana state fee for a certified death certificate copy is $16.00 per copy, with additional copies at the same rate.
State Fee |
|---|
$16.00 |
Rush Processing |
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Not Available |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $16.00 |
It is generally recommended to order at least three to four certified copies of a Montana death certificate. Multiple copies are often needed simultaneously for different purposes, and having extras on hand can save time and additional fees later.
Common situations requiring a certified copy include closing bank accounts, filing insurance claims, transferring property titles, settling the estate through probate court, and notifying government agencies such as the Social Security Administration.
Ordering additional copies at the time of your initial request is more cost-effective than placing separate orders later. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services charges a reduced fee for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
A certified copy of a Montana death certificate is a vital legal document required in numerous situations following a person's passing.
Montana death certificates are commonly required to:
• Settle the deceased's estate — Probate courts require a certified death certificate to begin the estate settlement process.
• Claim life insurance benefits — Insurance companies require an official certified copy before processing death benefit claims.
• Close or transfer financial accounts — Banks and investment firms need a certified copy to release funds or transfer ownership.
• Apply for survivor benefits — The Social Security Administration requires a death certificate for survivor benefits.
• Transfer vehicle titles and real estate — The Montana MVD and county clerk and recorder's office require certified copies for ownership transfers.
Processing time
The current processing time varies, is from 3 to 4 weeks. The total waiting time will also depend on how you submit your application and the necessary documents. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors. Several expedited shipping options are available through VRO at an additional cost.
Processing Time |
|---|
3 to 4 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
Not Available |
Authorization
In Montana, death certificates are considered public records. They are available to anyone who can meet the application requirements, including a completed Death Certificate Application, providing a valid or two forms of secondary identification, and paying associated state fees.
The Montana Department of Public Health generally does not require applicants to get their forms notarized when requesting certified death records, regardless of the request method.
Tracking
When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online while it is being handled. VRO verifies your documents before forwarding them to the Montana DPHHS – Office of Vital Records for further processing. Additionally, you can request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's journey to the health department for extra verification.
If you are mailing your death certificate application manually, it is recommended that you send it using first-class mail with tracking information to know when it arrives at DPHHS.
The DPHHS – Office of Vital Records does not provide tracking for the delivery of your vital records certificates to your address. Once the records leave the state office, the state is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
In Montana, death records are generally considered public records after a certain period. However, access to recent death records may be restricted to eligible applicants, including immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a documented legal or financial interest.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services maintains death records. A certified copy serves as a legal document suitable for official transactions, while an informational copy is typically used for genealogical or personal research.
If you are unsure whether you qualify to obtain a certified copy of a Montana death certificate, VitalRecordsOnline.com can help guide you through the eligibility requirements and application process.
You can also request other Montana vital records through Vital Records Online:
You can also explore our related guides:
frequently asked questions
Yes, most funeral homes in Montana will order certified copies of the death certificate as part of their services. You can also order additional copies later through VitalRecordsOnline.com or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Montana death records are generally accessible, though recent records may have restrictions on who can obtain certified copies. Eligible individuals include immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a documented legal interest.
If you are unsure of the exact details, you can contact the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services's vital records office for assistance. VitalRecordsOnline.com can also help guide you through the search process.
A certified copy of a Montana death certificate costs $12 from the Montana DPHHS. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $10 each. Expedited processing and shipping options may be available for additional fees.
Yes. Montana death certificates can be ordered online through the Montana DPHHS vital records office or through authorized third-party services. You will need to provide the decedent’s full legal name, date of death, place of death, and your relationship to the deceased.
Montana restricts death certificate access to eligible requestors such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, legal representative, or funeral director. If requesting on behalf of an eligible party, you may submit a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your authorization. A Power of Attorney (PoA) document is also accepted as valid proof of legal authority to request the record.
An officially certified death certificate from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue, but it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at the time of death. Official death certificates from Montana typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar’s signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The DPHHS issues these certificates to state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.
The process for amending a Montana death certificate varies depending on the type of changes required. By law, the original record cannot be altered; an addendum is created to document the corrections. The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) provides a straightforward procedure for correcting or amending death certificates. For any questions, call 406-444-9039. To correct or amend a death certificate, you will typically need to provide the following:
Apostilles may be ordered from the Montana Secretary of State by mail or with VRO only.
You need an apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.
We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.
To manually obtain an apostille for a Montana death certificate, follow these steps:
Standard Delivery:
Express Courier (UPS, FedEx):
In-Person Submissions: