How do I get a marriage license?

Clerk of District Court (county level - each of Montana's 56 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Visit the Clerk of District Court's office in your chosen county; most counties do not require an appointment but call ahead to verify hours and whether both parties must be present (some counties allow one to appear with notarized documents from the absent party)
Both parties typically appear in person and sign the marriage license application before the Clerk; bring required documents
Pay the $53 fee; license issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day
License valid for 180 days from date of issuance; ceremony must take place within Montana; if not used within 180 days, the license is void (unused licenses non-refundable once application is started)
After the ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage license and MUST return it to the issuing county Clerk of District Court within 30 days
Certified copy of marriage license: available from the Clerk of District Court where license was issued; typically $7; may also be ordered online through Missoula County's portal for any Montana county
PROXY MARRIAGE: Montana allows proxy marriage - one party may be represented by a proxy (stand-in) ONLY if that party is on active military duty OR is a Montana resident; contact the county Clerk for specific procedures

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid proof of age and identity for both parties: valid driver's license, state ID, passport, or birth certificate
Social Security numbers for both parties (or signed statement if no SSN)
Parents' birth state required on application
If previously married: certified copy of divorce decree or death certificate of most recent former spouse (some counties only require disclosure; Missoula County requires the sworn application is sufficient without copies); verify with your county
Must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent
Ages 16-17: may marry with parental consent AND must attend two counseling sessions prior to application AND obtain parental signature on application; contact county Clerk for specific requirements
No one under 16 may marry in Montana

Fee

$53 statewide; payment methods vary by county (most accept cash, money order; many accept credit/debit card with processing fee of ~2-3%); call ahead to confirm payment method

Waiting Period

NONE - license effective immediately upon issuance LICENSE VALIDITY: 180 days from date of issuance (one of the longest validity windows nationally) OFFICIANT RETURN DEADLINE: 30 days after ceremony to return completed license to issuing county Clerk

Online Option

Some counties (Missoula County) offer online pre-application; most require in-person completion; certified copy orders available online through Missoula County portal for any county

Where to Go

Clerk of District Court in any Montana county (residents); Clerk in ceremony county (non-residents)

County-specific variations apply

Montana's 56 county Clerks of District Court each have their own procedures. Yellowstone County (Billings): appointments recommended; $53 fee; cash/money order/card (3% card fee); Missoula County: online application available; Gallatin County (Bozeman): walk-ins accepted Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM (arrive by 4:30PM); Cascade County (Great Falls) and Lewis & Clark County (Helena) have their own hours and procedures. Call ahead to verify hours and whether appointment is needed.

Montana Notes

Important state-specific details

No waiting period - can marry same day.
No blood test required (rubella test formerly required; now eliminated).
180-day validity - one of the longest nationally.
Proxy marriage allowed for active military and Montana residents.
No witnesses required by state law in most circumstances (verify ceremony requirements with your officiant).
Common law marriage: Montana is one of the few states that still recognizes common law marriage - a marriage is established by consent, cohabitation, and public acknowledgment as married.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Montana Secretary of State (general info) - sosmt.gov; Clerk of District Court (varies by county); Montana Vital Records (for marriage certificate copies via county system) - dphhs.mt.gov/vitalrecords | (406) 444-2685