Marriage License Fees

Montana · 2026

Montana Marriage License: Cost and Requirements

A marriage license in Montana costs $53, and there is no waiting period. The license is good for 180 days.

Montana marriage license fees by county

Fees for the 2 counties we have verified, largest first. Each row links to a county page with where to apply and the official clerk link.

CountyLicenseCertified copyCourthouse ceremonyWait
Yellowstone County$53$7$80No waiting period
Lewis and Clark County$53$7—No waiting period

— means the figure is not in our data. Check the county's official page.

Montana marriage license rules

License fee

$53 (MCA 40-1-202)

State law sets the fee at $53. Yellowstone County adds 3% when you pay by card.

Source: leg.mt.gov

Premarital course discount

No discount

The statute sets a flat $53 fee with no premarital-course discount.

Source: leg.mt.gov

Waiting period

No waiting period

The license takes effect as soon as it is issued.

Source: leg.mt.gov

How long the license is valid

180 days

The license expires 180 days after it is issued.

Source: leg.mt.gov

Minimum age and parental consent

16 with consent; 18 without

At 16 or 17 you need parental consent plus a district court order, and both partners must attend counseling.

Source: leg.mt.gov

What to bring

Yellowstone County accepts a driver's license, state ID or passport; applicants also give Social Security numbers and parents' details.

Source: yellowstonecountymt.gov

Applying online

Varies by county

Yellowstone County lets couples start the application online and book an appointment.

Official online application

Source: yellowstonecountymt.gov

Who can officiate

Includes self-uniting

Judges, mayors, justices of the peace, authorized notaries, tribal judges, and any religious, tribal or native custom. If no single person officiates, the couple fills out the certificate themselves (self-uniting).

Source: leg.mt.gov

Proxy marriage

Allowed

Proxy weddings are allowed when one partner is on federal active military duty or is a Montana resident.

Source: leg.mt.gov

Who issues the license

Clerk of the district court (county)

The county clerk of the district court issues the license and certificate form.

Source: leg.mt.gov

Not in our data yet: blood test, do both of you have to appear?, witnesses, out-of-state couples. Ask your county office.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a marriage license in Montana?

$53. State law sets the fee at $53. Yellowstone County adds 3% when you pay by card.

Is there a waiting period in Montana?

No. The license takes effect as soon as it is issued.

How long is a Montana marriage license valid?

180 days. The license expires 180 days after it is issued.

How old do you have to be to get married in Montana?

At 16 or 17 you need parental consent plus a district court order, and both partners must attend counseling.

Sources

Last verified . Fees and rules change; confirm with your county before you go. Spot an error? Report it.

Other states