In Montana, certified death certificates are issued by Office of Vital Records, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The state fee is $16 for the first certified copy and the same for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Montana
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $16 |
| Each additional copy | $16 |
All certificates cost $16, including certified and informational death certificates. Online vendors add credit card service fees.
Who can order a certified copy
Anyone. Per the DPHHS application, complete certified copies 'will be issued to anyone who submits a completed application, establishes their identity, and lists the reason for needing the copy.'.
A non-certified informational copy is also available. It cannot be used for legal or financial purposes such as closing accounts or claiming benefits.
How to order
- Online (official vendor: VitalChek)
- Online (official vendor: VitalRecordsOnline)
- County/local office
Any Montana County Clerk & Recorder's office sells death certificates, regardless of the county where the death occurred.
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How long it takes
The office does not publish a processing time. Ask when you order, especially if an insurer or bank is waiting.
The funeral home’s role
The office’s pages do not describe the funeral home’s role. Many families ask the funeral director to order the first copies when arrangements are made.
DPHHS names VitalChek and VRO (VitalRecordsOnline) as its only approved vendors. If the cause of death is 'pending,' the certified copy leaves the cause of death out. State records since late 1907 (per CDC).
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Montana
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Montana.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- Office of Vital Records, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Montana)
- Office of Vital Records, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
- Office of Vital Records, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (PDF)
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.