Parties who do not wish to be married by solemnization (a ceremony performed by a judge, religious official or other officiant) may prepare and file a Declaration of Marriage with the Clerk of District Court office and be recognized as being legally married.  Parties must complete the same application process as they would for a Marriage License.

Declaration of Marriage parties are asked to complete the marriage application online.

• Use the online marriage application system to complete the application prior to visiting the Clerk of Court office.
• Parties may complete the Declaration of Marriage form prescribed by Montana Vital Records or may prepare the declaration of marriage themselves following the Requirements for the Declaration of Marriage below. 
• Your original declaration of marriage will remain on file with the Clerk of Court office. 
• If you would like a duplicate original for your records, you may prepare a second declaration of marriage to bring with you for our office to conform. 
• Both parties must appear in person to sign and file the declaration of marriage.
• Proof of age, such as a driver's license or passport, is required.
• Parties may bring their own witnesses or Clerk of Court staff may act as witnesses.

Cost

• • The cost for issuing a marriage license is $53.00, 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.

Requirements for the Declaration of Marriage (Prepared by the parties)

• The Declaration of Marriage may be handwritten or typed.
• The Declaration must be one-sided, on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and include the following information for both the bride and groom:
  • Full Name
  • Current Age
  • City and State of Residence
  • Father's First, Middle and Last Name and City and State of Residence
  • Mother's First, Middle and Last Name and City and State of Residence
  • The date the parties are declaring they were married (may be a date in the past but cannot be a date in the future).
  • A statement that both parties are legally competent to enter into the marriage contract.
  • Signature lines for the bride, groom and two witnesses (not to be signed until instructed by the Clerk). 
  • Parties may bring their own witnesses or Clerk of Court staff may act as witnesses.
  • Leave a  2" x 2" blank space near the bottom left corner of the Declaration for the Court seal and two paces for official use. One space is for the notary, and the other space is for the Clerk to file the Declaration. Below is an example:

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME                             FILED THIS            DAY OF

THIS            DAY OF                          , 20     .                                                                                  20    .

AMY MCGHEE, CLERK                                                               AMY MCGHEE, CLERK

BY:                                      .                                                            BY:                                                   ,

         DEPUTY                                                                                           DEPUTY