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NameRight provides procedural guidance, not legal advice.
Verify requirements with official courts and agencies. Full legal disclaimer
This Montana guide has not yet completed human verification.
The overview below reflects general process information only. Before you file, confirm every requirement, form, and fee directly with the District Court or your county clerk. We are verifying this guide against official Montana sources and will publish the verified version soon.
In Montana, you file a name change petition with the District Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $90–120 (varies by county), and newspaper publication is generally required. Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the cost. Court and agency rules can change, so verify current requirements with your local court before filing.
Where you file
District Court
Estimated court fee
$90–120 (varies by county)
Typical timeline
4-10
Residency rule
Must be a resident of Montana (file in your county of residence)
Publication for general filings
Not required
Fee waiver available
Not offered statewide — verify with the clerk
Gender marker options
M / F
Changing — Changing Your Name as an Adult
Adult name change instructions and forms
View form Source: Official sourcePetition — Petition for Name Change (Child)
Minor child name change petition
View form Source: Official sourceChanging — Changing Your Name under Sealed Record
Name change under sealed record when safety is at risk
View form Source: Official sourceFee — Fee Waiver Application
Ask the local Clerk of District Court, or use a Motion to Proceed Without Payment through Montana e-filing.
Links open on the publisher’s site. “Official source” means a court or agency published it, and “Archived copy” means an Internet Archive snapshot of a page that has moved. A third-party resource is not a court document and listing it is not an endorsement. Confirm every form with the Montana court before you file.
The filing fee is $90–120 (varies by county). Confirm the current amount with the court clerk before filing.
Fee waiver available: No — Fee Waiver Application
Fees vary by county and change over time — confirm with the clerk before filing.
Publication in a newspaper of general circulation is required. Waiver may be available.
Publication waiver may be available.
Record sealing may be available after name change. https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/name_chg/name_change_sealed.pdf Ordinary adult name change requires 4-week publication or posting. Sealed record path is available if public notice would put petitioner safety at risk.
Requirements may have changed — verify the current policy with the agency before filing.
Agency by agency
Gender marker rules differ by agency — driver license / ID, birth certificate, passport (federal), and SSA (federal) can each have different options and proof rules. Confirm the options for each record you plan to update.
Self-attestation: Verify with the relevant agency
Medical proof required: Verify with the relevant agency
Confirm current procedures with each agency before filing.
After receiving your court order, update your records with key agencies. The following list is a general starting point — priorities may vary by situation.
County procedures can vary. Always confirm filing steps with your local court.
Free guides explain the general process. Complete helps apply the process to your situation.
In Montana, you file a name change petition with the District Court in the county where you live. Requirements can vary by county and situation, so verify current instructions with the official court source before filing.
The filing fee in Montana is $90–120 (varies by county). Additional costs may apply (publication fees, certified copies, background checks) and fees can change. Source: MT district courts; Recording Law 2026. Confirm the current amount with the court before filing.
Yes, newspaper publication is generally required (Publication in a newspaper of general circulation is required. Waiver may be available.). Verify current requirements with your local court.
Yes, a court hearing is generally required.
Available options: M, F. Rules can change, so verify with the relevant state agency before submitting documents.
Start with the official court or agency source linked on this page. NameRight provides informational guidance and preparation tools, not legal advice. Court and agency rules can change, so always verify before filing or paying fees.
Every claim on this page points back to an official source. Here is what each source supports and when it was last checked — verify details with the source before filing.
Get a personalized filing path based on your situation.
NameRight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help information, document preparation tools, and public court process guidance based on publicly available information. Court procedures and eligibility rules can change, and your situation may require advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Full legal disclaimer