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How to Find Montana Marriage Records

Finding Montana Marriage Records

  • Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county
  • 1943 - state index begins; however, records are not held by the state and must be obtained locally from county courthouse

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

Marriage Records
Choose a time period:


Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1943

  • Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image Link or links to access database # of records
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1800-1994 On Findmypast; ($)
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1865-1950 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 338,104
Ancestry.com, Marriages, 1865-1987 Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1987, index and images, ($)
If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only Link or links to access database # of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1889-1947 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 20,784
BYU-Idaho, Marriages, 1865-1895 On Western States Marriage Index; free; INCOMPLETE ~20,500
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

  • If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
  • If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

  • Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

  • View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

  • Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1943 to Present

  • Online marriage indexes are incomplete for the years 1943 to the present.
  • 1943 - state index begins; however, records are not held by the state and must be obtained locally from county courthouse

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image Link or links to access database # of records
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1800-1994 On Findmypast; ($)
Ancestry.com, Marriages, 1865-1950 Montana, Marriage Records, 1943-1986, index and images
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1943-1986 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 338,104


If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only Link or links to access database # of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1889-1947 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 20,784
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

  • If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
  • If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

  • A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the county clerk.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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