Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Montana (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Montana is $115, which includes a $100 court filing fee, and $15 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $100 · Processing time: ~4 weeks
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $157 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $157 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $257 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $307 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $257 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in Montana
Montana District Court filing fees for name changes run $80-$100 depending on the county - among the most affordable in the Mountain West. After-marriage name changes in Montana use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement, keeping costs minimal for newlyweds.
Montana does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, keeping the process clean and affordable. You file your petition in the District Court of the county where you reside. Montana's district courts cover large geographic areas given the state's size, but most have accessible clerk of court offices in the county seat.
Montana has a relatively straightforward name change process with no unusual state-specific quirks for most petitioners. The court reviews the petition for any fraud indicators. Montana's rural nature means some residents may need to plan courthouse visits carefully given distance - Montana courts do allow some filings by mail.
The Montana MVD (Motor Vehicle Division) charges $13.68 for a corrected Montana driver's license with a name change - one of the lowest DMV fees in the country. Visit any Montana MVD office or county treasurer's office (which handle driver's licenses in Montana) with your court order or marriage certificate and current Montana license.
Montana divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. Montana courts are receptive to this request during divorce proceedings. Given Montana's rural geography and the logistical challenge of courthouse visits, including name restoration in your divorce decree is especially important to avoid a separate trip later.
Key Montana links: Montana Courts (montanacourts.org), Montana MVD (doj.mt.gov/driving), Montana Legal Services Association (montanalegalservices.org) which serves all Montana counties including rural areas.
Montana name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $100 |
| Certified copies (3 × $5 each) | $15 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $12 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis |
Common reasons in Montana
Name Change Guides for Montana
FAQ: Montana name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Montana?
- Court filing fees in Montana start around $100 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $5 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Montana?
- Many Montana court petitions finish in about 4 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Montana?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Montana do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Montana?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Montana if you meet the court’s income guidelines (In forma pauperis). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Montana?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Montana residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Montana?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Montana marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in Montana, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In Montana, voter registration updates are commonly handled by mail or in person with your county or municipal election office—confirm the fastest option for your address. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview