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Montana · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

Montana DPHHS, Office of Vital Records (state level - Helena; NO WALK-IN SERVICE) / County Clerk and Recorder (county level - in-person service available)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Montana death records are confidential; vital records become public 30 years after a person's death. Eligible requesters for recent deaths: immediate family, legal representatives, those with documented tangible interest.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. IN PERSON (County Clerk and Recorder - FASTEST): Visit your county Clerk and Recorder; most counties hold death records for events in their county; bring valid photo ID; typically $7 per certified copy; same-day service
  4. BY MAIL (State DPHHS): Complete death 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; NO walk-in at state office
  5. ONLINE (County portal or VitalChek): Missoula County online portal (all Montana counties); VitalChek (authorized vendor); additional fees
  6. BY PHONE: DPHHS Vital Records at (406) 444-2685
  7. Submit with valid photo ID and proof of qualifying interest
  8. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed death certificate application
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (copy for mail)
  • Proof of qualifying relationship or tangible interest
  • Payment: cash/check/money order for in-person or mail; card for online
Fee
$7 per certified copy (county offices and state); Flathead County: $7 for in-person, by mail, or online; VitalChek/online adds service fee
Processing Time
County in-person: same day; state mail: weeks; online/VitalChek: expedited
Online Option
Yes - Missoula County portal; VitalChek
Where to Go
County Clerk and Recorder (fastest); DPHHS Vital Records (mail/phone/online only - NO walk-in)
County-specific variations apply

Flathead County (Kalispell) holds death records for all Montana counties from 2003+; county-specific records back to approximately 1900. Most county Clerk and Recorder offices hold death records for their county from available dates. State office has statewide records from 1907 to present.

Montana Notes

Important state-specific details

  • State DPHHS Vital Records: NO WALK-IN - use county office for in-person service.
  • Montana vital records public 30 years after a person's death.
  • Records from 1907 to present at state level; pre-1907 at Montana Historical Society.
  • Order multiple copies at once - estates, insurance, banks, SSA, VA each need a copy.
  • Funeral homes assist with initial filing for recent deaths.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Montana DPHHS Office of Vital Records - dphhs.mt.gov/vitalrecords | (406) 444-2685 | [email protected] | PO Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604 (NO WALK-IN)