How much is a death certificate in Montana?

$16 for the first certified copy from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records, and $16 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Every copy costs $16. Online orders through the approved vendors add service fees.

Who can order a death certificate in Montana?

Anyone may get a certified copy by sending a completed application, proving their identity, and giving the reason they need it. If the cause of death is still pending, the copy is issued with the cause of death removed.

How do I order a death certificate in Montana?

You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek or VitalRecordsOnline, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. A copy of both sides of a valid photo ID with a signature, two other forms of ID with one signed, or a notarized application.

Death certificates

Death certificates in Montana

In Montana, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $16 from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records. Each copy costs the same. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.

Last checked October 20, 2026 on the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.

How to order in Montana

Ordering a certified copy of a death certificate in Montana
Office	Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records
First certified copy	$16
Each extra copy, same order	$16 Every copy costs $16. Online orders through the approved vendors add service fees.
Who can order	Anyone may get a certified copy by sending a completed application, proving their identity, and giving the reason they need it. If the cause of death is still pending, the copy is issued with the cause of death removed.
ID you need	A copy of both sides of a valid photo ID with a signature, two other forms of ID with one signed, or a notarized application.
Ways to order	Online, by mail or in person. The state takes online orders only through VitalChek or VitalRecordsOnline, a private company, which adds its own fee. By mail or in person costs only the state fee. At any County Clerk and Recorder office in Montana. The state office in Helena is closed to walk-in service.
How long it takes	The office says processing times vary with staffing and workload.

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.

For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.

Questions people ask

How much is a death certificate in Montana?: $16 for the first certified copy from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records, and $16 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Every copy costs $16. Online orders through the approved vendors add service fees.
Who can order a death certificate in Montana?: Anyone may get a certified copy by sending a completed application, proving their identity, and giving the reason they need it. If the cause of death is still pending, the copy is issued with the cause of death removed.
How do I order a death certificate in Montana?: You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek or VitalRecordsOnline, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. A copy of both sides of a valid photo ID with a signature, two other forms of ID with one signed, or a notarized application.

Death certificates in Montana

How to order in Montana

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Questions people ask

Sources