How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Montana DPHHS, Office of Vital Records (state level - Helena; NO WALK-IN SERVICE) / County Clerk and Recorder (county level - fastest for most counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine eligibility: Montana birth records are CONFIDENTIAL. Eligible requesters: the person named (if adult), parents listed on the record, legal guardian, court-appointed representative, or others who can demonstrate tangible interest.
Choose your method:
IN PERSON (County Clerk and Recorder - FASTEST): Visit your county Clerk and Recorder office; bring valid photo ID; $8 per certified copy in most counties; same-day service for records held by that office
BY MAIL (State DPHHS): Complete birth certificate application (dphhs.mt.gov/vitalrecords); include valid photo ID copy; check or money order; mail to: Montana Vital Records, PO Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604
ONLINE (County portal or VitalChek): Missoula County online portal (works for all Montana counties); VitalChek (authorized vendor); additional fees; credit card accepted
BY PHONE: Contact DPHHS Vital Records at (406) 444-2685 for information
Submit with valid photo ID
Pay the fee

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Completed birth certificate application
Valid government-issued photo ID (copy for mail orders)
Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting on behalf of another
Payment: cash/check/money order for in-person or mail; card for online

Fee

$8 per certified copy (county offices and state); genealogy/uncertified copy: 50¢ (Flathead County for their county only); VitalChek/online adds service fee

Processing Time

County in-person: same day; state mail: weeks; online/VitalChek: expedited with additional fee

Online Option

Yes - Missoula County portal (all Montana counties); VitalChek; check dphhs.mt.gov/vitalrecords for links

Where to Go

County Clerk and Recorder (fastest in-person); DPHHS Vital Records (mail, phone, online); Montana state office: dphhs.mt.gov/vitalrecords | (406) 444-2685

County-specific variations apply

County Clerk and Recorder offices in Montana hold birth records for events in their county (with some broader coverage - e.g., Flathead County holds records for ALL Montana counties from 2003+, and Flathead County-specific records going back ~1900). Most counties hold records for events in their jurisdiction and can issue certified copies. State office (Helena) has statewide coverage from 1907 to present. Pre-1907 records at Montana Historical Society.

Montana Notes

Important state-specific details

State DPHHS Vital Records office NO LONGER OFFERS WALK-IN SERVICE - use county Clerk and Recorder or online/mail options.
Montana birth records CONFIDENTIAL - restricted to eligible individuals.
State records from 1907 to present; county records vary (some from 1900); pre-1907 at Montana Historical Society (mhs.mt.gov).
Vital records become public 30 years after a person's death.
VitalChek and VitalRecordsOnline are Montana's ONLY authorized online vendors - avoid unauthorized third parties.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

dphhs.mt.gov/vitalrecords | (406) 444-2685