Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Montana: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Montana District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Montana is filed in the Montana District Court (of the county where you reside), costs about $170, and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$170

Montana has no separate gender-identity name-change statute; you use the standard adult District Court petition (about $120 filing plus a $50 judgment fee). Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk.

Court

Montana District Court (of the county where you reside)

District Court in the county where you live

Timeline

6–12 weeks

Step by step

1
Complete the standard Adult Name Change Packet, or the Sealed Record packet if publishing your name would put your safety at risk.
2
File with the Clerk of District Court in your county and pay or waive the fee; if you use the Sealed Record packet, ask the court to waive publication and seal the record under MCA 27-31-201.
3
Complete the four-week publication unless the court grants a sealed-record safety waiver, then attend the hearing and obtain the signed Order for Name Change.
4
Use certified copies of the order to update Social Security, the Montana MVD record, and your US passport; a separate DPHHS process governs any gender-marker change on the vital record itself.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

Form	Code	Official link
Name Change When Your Safety Is at Risk (Sealed Record packet)	—	Open ↗
Adult Name Change Packet (District Court)	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — A name change to align with gender identity uses the ordinary adult petition, which normally requires four weeks of newspaper publication; you can file the Sealed Record (safety) packet under MCA 27-31-201 to waive publication and seal the file when public notice would put your safety at risk.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Montana:

• Montana has no dedicated gender-identity name statute — the standard adult District Court petition is used, with the sealed-record option available for safety.
• Changing the gender marker on a Montana birth certificate or driver record is a separate DPHHS/MVD process and has been the subject of state litigation; this entry covers the NAME change only.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Montana license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Maine →Rhode Island →New Hampshire →Delaware →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Montana: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Montana?

About $170, filed in the Montana District Court (of the county where you reside). Montana has no separate gender-identity name-change statute; you use the standard adult District Court petition (about $120 filing plus a $50 judgment fee). Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Montana?

Usually, but it can be waived. A name change to align with gender identity uses the ordinary adult petition, which normally requires four weeks of newspaper publication; you can file the Sealed Record (safety) packet under MCA 27-31-201 to waive publication and seal the file when public notice would put your safety at risk.

Is a gender-identity name change private in Montana?

A name change to align with gender identity uses the ordinary adult petition, which normally requires four weeks of newspaper publication; you can file the Sealed Record (safety) packet under MCA 27-31-201 to waive publication and seal the file when public notice would put your safety at risk.

How long does it take in Montana?

Typically 6–12 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).

What do I do after the judge signs my order in Montana?

Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.