How to Get a Death Certificate in Montana

Montana's death certificate ordering is centralized through the Office of Vital Records in Helena, with several county offices also able to issue certified copies. This guide walks through every option, the actual cost, and how many copies you'll need.

Which Agency Handles Vital Records in Montana?

Death certificates in Montana are issued by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Office of Vital Records, located in Helena. A number of county vital records offices can also issue certified copies. Website: dphhs.mt.gov/vitalrecords.

How to Order a Death Certificate in Montana

• Online or by phone: Order through VitalChek, Montana's authorized third-party vendor, by credit card, or call the Office of Vital Records directly. Processing typically takes 2–3 weeks after the order is received.
• By mail: Submit a completed application, a copy of your government-issued ID, and a check or money order payable to MT DPHHS to: Office of Vital Records, 111 N. Sanders, Room 6, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604. Allow roughly 4–6 weeks.
• In person — Helena: Walk-in service at the Office of Vital Records, 111 N. Sanders, Room 6. Office hours are 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., though the office closes from 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. on Fridays — same-day service is available in many cases.
• County vital records offices: A number of Montana counties can issue certified copies locally — often the fastest option if your county participates. Check with your county clerk or health department first.
• Through the funeral home: The funeral home can order certified copies on your behalf in the days after death.

How Much Does a Death Certificate Cost in Montana?

The fee is a flat $16 per certified copy, with no discount for ordering multiple copies at once. This is the Office of Vital Records' current fee, effective September 21, 2024 — up from the $15 flat fee in effect in prior years. VitalChek adds its own processing fee for online or phone orders.

How Many Copies Should You Order?

Most Montana families need 8–12 certified copies: each bank, life insurance policy, the District Court handling probate, Social Security, real estate transfers, vehicle titles, and retirement accounts.

Who Is Eligible to Request a Death Certificate in Montana?

Montana restricts certified copies to people with a direct interest in the record — typically the surviving spouse, parent, child, sibling, the executor or personal representative of the estate, and legal representatives acting on the family's behalf. You must provide government-issued photo ID, and in some cases documentation establishing your relationship to the deceased.

Processing Timeline

What to Do After You Receive Your Death Certificates

Once you have your certified copies in hand, these are the immediate next steps:

1. Notify financial institutions — bring a certified copy to each bank, brokerage, and credit union where the deceased held accounts.
2. File life insurance claims — each insurer needs an original certified copy.
3. Contact Social Security — report the death at (800) 772-1213 or visit your local SSA office.
4. Begin probate if the estate requires it — not every estate does.
5. Update property titles — real estate, vehicles, and other titled assets each need a certified copy.
6. Send notifications — Omuna's free notification templates help you draft letters to banks, insurers, and government agencies.
7. Create a memorial page — Omuna's memorial editor lets you build a lasting tribute your family can share.