Genealogy Guide

Montana Birth Records 

Before 1895, there were not any legal requirements for keeping birth records in Montana. In 1895, the Legislative Assembly passed a law requiring physicians and midwives to keep a register of all births. All pre-1907 birth records are filed with County Clerk in the county where the child was born. Montana began recording births and deaths on the state level in 1907. It was not until about 1915 that mandatory registration of births became more complete. By 1922, about 90 percent of the births were being registered.

Although registration of births has been required since 1915, records for earlier years are far from complete. Birth records are closed to the public for 30 years, except for immediate family. After 30 years, informational copies are available to the public and certified copies are only available to the family.

Montana Death Records

The 1895 law governing births also pertained to deaths. At that time, the registration of deaths was the responsibility of clergymen, coroners, physicians, sextons, and undertakers. Registration of deaths on the state level began in 1907. By 1910, the registration of deaths reached about 90 percent. It was not until about 1915 that the registration of Montana deaths became reasonably complete.

Death records contain information about a person’s death, including the date of death, place of death, sometimes the names of the mother and father, and even the physician who attended the death. Death certificates issued by state and local governments will often include the place of residence, and the mother’s maiden name. Death Certificates are available to anyone if the person has been dead for 30 or more years. If the person has been dead for less than 30 years only close relatives may apply for a death certificate.

Where to Find Vital Records

County Clerk and Recorder's Offices

The best way to start your search for vital records in Montana is to contact the County Clerk in the county of birth or death.

State of Montana

The state agency that oversees birth records is the Office of Vital Records in Montana within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Vital Records at MTHS

We have some vital records for select counties available on microfilm in our Montana County Clerk and Recorders Records, 1862-2001 (MF 490) collection:

• Broadwater County: Birth 1878-1930 | Death 1907-2002
• Deer Lodge County: Death 1896-2004
• Jefferson County: Birth 1868-1930 | Death 1895-2003
• Lewis and Clark County: Birth 1868-1930 | 1869-2001
• Missoula County: Birth 1872-1929 | Death 1895-1929
• Powell County: Birth 1907-1930 | Death 1907-2002
• Silver Bow County: Birth 1881-1930 | Death 1890-2004

Our birth and death records are also digitized and available on Ancestry.com, which is free to access in our Reference Room.

Naturalization Records

Information about the Naturalization Process

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, state circuit courts usually administered the naturalization process established by federal law. During this time period, most applicants for naturalization were men. From 1855 until the Married Women’s Act of 1922, also known as the Cable Act, citizenship was automatically conferred on the wife of any male citizen. Since 1922, women have been required to obtain their own citizenship. Minor children automatically became citizens when their fathers received citizenship.

Three common types of records document the naturalization process: declarations of intent, petitions, and naturalization certificates.

Researchers should note that naturalization was not required. Of foreign born peopled listed in the 1890 Census through the 1930 Census, 25 percent never became citizens or made only a declaration to become a citizen. The extent and type of information contained in naturalization records changes over time. Recent records are much more detailed.

Declarations of Intent

Initially an alien resident filed a declaration of intention, also commonly known as “first papers,” with an authorized court, indicating their intention to become a citizen, to renounce all allegiance to any foreign state, and to renounce any foreign title or order of nobility. At least two years after making the declaration (after 1906, no more than seven years later), an alien who had been a resident of the United States for at least five years could petition the court for admission to citizenship.

The names of the applicant, the foreign ruler whose allegiance was renounced, and the date are always shown on the declaration. Later declarations also include some or all of the following information: age or birth date, place of birth, date and place of entry into the U.S., the applicant's oath, and affidavits of two witnesses who attested to the applicant's residency and good character.

Petitions

Petitions, which were often called "petitions and oaths," "petitions and records," or "second papers," documented the second step in the naturalization process. After serving the required period of residency, the applicant petitioned the court for admission to citizenship. The court then issued a naturalization certificate.

The petition consisted of the applicant's petition to the court, an oath of allegiance, and affidavits of two witnesses attesting to the petitioner's good character and residency. The petition may also include the order of the court admitting the applicant to citizenship, especially for records filed after 1902. The exact content filed before September 1906 depended on the record keeping at the court and on local custom. The courts always recorded the name and oath of the petitioner, petition date, names of witnesses, and sovereignty renounced. Petitions also typically included some or all of the following information: age or birth date, date and place of entry into the U.S., and date and place where the declaration of intent was filed.

After 1906, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) adopted new petition forms for general use. The new forms contained the following information: petitioner's name; residence; occupation; date and place of birth; date and place of emigration; date, place, and vessel or other conveyance into the U.S.; period of residency; place, date, and name of court where the declaration of intent was made; marital status; spouse's name, birth date, and place of residency; and names, dates and places of birth, and residency of the petitioner's children.

Additional data was added to the petition forms after 1906. In 1910, the court order was altered to show denials of admission or continuations granted in the proceedings. The size of the form was greatly reduced in 1929, though the information remained the same, except that the place and date of the applicant's marriage were added, and the court order section was deleted and transferred to another document. The witnesses' affidavits listed their names, occupations, and places of residence. The court order showed the petitioner's name and the date of admission to citizenship. At the time of naturalization, petitioners were allowed to change their name, which was documented in the court order. A copy of the declaration of intent and a certificate of arrival often were attached to the petition.

Naturalization Certificates

Naturalization certificates, often called “third papers,” were issued to newly naturalized citizens as evidence of their status. Prior to 1907, standardized forms were not used, and few courts retained copies of the certificates. Copies that have survived were preprinted forms in bound volumes. Typically, they repeated most of the information found in the petition. After September 1906, the INS issued serially numbered, two-part certificates. One copy went to the new citizen and the second to the INS. The local courts only retained the certificate stub books from which the forms were separated. The stub books recorded the new citizen's name; date; name of issuing court; declaration number; volume and petition number; court order date; and the names, ages, and places of residency of the spouse and minor children.

Where to Find Naturalization Records

County District Court Clerk's Offices

We recommend starting your search for naturalization records in Montana by contacting the County District Court Clerk in the county of residence or county that most likely process the naturalization paperwork.

Federal and State Agencies

The U.S. District Court for the District of Montana handles naturalization processes in Montana.

Naturalization Records at MTHS

We have some naturalization records for select counties available on microfilm in our Montana District Court Clerks Records, 1864-1993 (MF 440). Our naturalization records are also digitized and available on Ancestry.com, which is free to access in our Reference Room. 

In addition, we have indexes to naturalization records arranged by Territorial Court Districts available on microfilm in our U.S. District Court Records, 1868-1929 (MF 431).

Please contact us about accessing these records by submitting a research request.

State Orphanage

The Library & Archives has several other resources and materials that may help with your genealogy research. Search our catalog to find specific records and collections.

Newspapers

Montana newspapers are a great resource to find obituaries, marriage and birth announcements, and other family information. Many of our newspapers are digitized and searchable. Visit our Newspapers page for more information.

City Directories & Phone Books

Our collection of city directories and phone books covers the major towns in Montana. Many directories often include the smaller surrounding towns, as well as farmers and ranchers in nearby counties, especially for the 1900-1920 period. Several directories are also digitized and available on Ancestry.com, which is free to access in our Reference Room.

Marriage Records

The best source for marriage records is each county's Clerk of District Court office. We hold some marriage indexes and records for each county in Montana on microfilm in our Montana District Court Clerks Records, 1864-1993 (MF 440). Our naturalization records are also digitized and available on Ancestry.com, which is free to access in our Reference Room. 

Property Records

Land records are another possible source of genealogical information. Please see our Property Research Guide for more information.

Local Histories

County histories and other local histories often have information about families. Search our catalog or view the digitized collection of local histories on the Montana History Portal.

Biographies

We have several publications containing biographical histories of Montana's leading citizens. Mostly published before 1930, these publications were subscription histories, meaning that individuals paid to have their biography included. As a result, the people described in the publications are mostly white, influential men. The subscription histories are available in our Reference Room, and some are available on the Montana History Portal. Use our Index to Biographies in Montana Subscription Histories to find names of people described in the publications and the specific books where they appear.

Cemetery and Funeral Home Records

We have some records for burials and funerals in Montana (mostly from Helena). 

Church Records

Our records collections from different Montana churches often contain lists of names, marriages, baptisms, and other useful genealogical information.

Voter Records

Poll lists and other voter lists can be helpful for finding names. We have voter records from several counties from the late-1800s and early-1900s.

Military Records

We hold military records from Fort Assiniboine, the U.S. War Department, the Montana Adjutant General's Office, and the Montana State Board of Examiners. The records include names, correspondence, honorariums, and other information.

Internal Revenue Service Records

Our U.S. Internal Revenue Service Collection District of Montana Territory records, 1864-1872 includes assessment lists for the Montana Territory, listing date, name, location, occupation, valuation, and other information.