In Montana, you can be married by solemnization, which is when a ceremony is performed by a judge, religious official or other type of officiant. Or you could have a declaration of marriage, where no ceremony takes place but the state legally recognizes the two individuals as married.

Regardless of the type, you must apply for a marriage license online.

• The application will ask you for the following:

  • Date of birth of both applicants and proof of age (driver’s license or passport)

  • City, county and state/foreign country of birth of both applicants

  • Father's first, middle and last name, current city and state of residence and state/country of birth (for both applicants)

  • Mother's first, middle and maiden name, current city and state of residence and state/country of birth (for both applicants)

  • If either party was previously married, the dates of previous divorce/dissolution or spousal death along with the county/state of the occurrence.

• Once the online marriage application is submitted, both parties must visit the Clerk of Court office in person to obtain their marriage license. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located on the second floor of the Missoula County Courthouse.

A marriage license is valid for 180 days and can be obtained in any county in Montana but is valid only in Montana.

• The cost for issuing a marriage license is $53, payable by cash, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.
• If paying by credit or debit card, a 1.995% plus a $1.25 processing fee will be added to your transaction.
• Personal checks not accepted.