Court Ordered Name Changes

If you have legally changed your name, the Office of Vital Records can update your Montana birth certificate to reflect your new legal name.

Before You Contact Us: The Court Order

Please note that our office is the final step in the name change process. Before we can update your birth certificate, you must first obtain a legal name change through the court system.

  • Step 1: Contact your local Clerk of District Court to initiate the legal name change process.

  • Step 2: Obtain a Certified Court Order granting the name change.

How to Update Your Birth Certificate
Once you have your certified court order, please mail the following items to our office:

  1. The Original Certified Court Order: This must be a certified copy (usually with a raised seal or colored stamp) from the Clerk of Court.

  2. A Photocopy of Your Valid Photo ID: Your name on the ID can reflect your new name, or show your pre-court order name.

  3. The Required Fee of $41.00: This includes the $25.00 processing fee and $16.00 for your new, updated birth certificate.

Mail your documents to:
Office of Vital Records
PO Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604

Remember: After we update your birth certificate, you will likely need to provide the new certificate to the Social Security Administration and the MVD to update your Social Security card and Driver’s License.

Processing Timeline

  • Standard Processing: Please allow 3-4 weeks for your new certificate to be created and mailed.

  • Order of Service: To ensure fairness for everyone, applications are processed in the strict order they are received. No exceptions can be made to this timeline.

Contact Our Specialists
If you have questions regarding the legal process for name changes on vital records, please reach out to our team:

For Name Changes:

  • Vicky Root: 406-444-4226

For Certificate Corrections:

  • Connie Robinson: 406-444-9039