Montana

Montana is a strict voter ID state.

You are required to show an acceptable ID to confirm your identity when voting in person.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

Any registered Montana voter can request an absentee ballot.

You must provide ID information or a copy of acceptable photo ID (and possibly an additional identification document) with your absentee ballot.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

You must file a formal request with your county’s District Court to change your name in Montana.

You will be required to publish notice of your name-change hearing for a specific period of time. If necessary for your safety, use the Changing Your Name under Sealed-Record Forms instead.

If the court approves your name change, you will receive a court order that can be used to update the name on your ID documents.

Submit a request to the Montana Office of Vital Statistics to amend your birth certificate.

To change the name on your Montana birth certificate, you will need to provide:

• birth certificate application (PDF)
• proof of identification (suggestions listed on application)
• application requires that you provide an enlarged legible photocopy of both sides of your valid driver’s license (or other legal picture identification with a signature) or you must have your application notarized
• payment of applicable fee(s)

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

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RESOURCE

Montana Law Help – Name and Gender Change

You must update your name with the Social Security Administration before you can change your name on a Montana-issued ID.

Visit an MVD License Exam Station and apply for driver license or ID card. You will need to provide a certified copy of your name-change court order.

You may also apply for a replacement driver license or state ID that shows your name change.

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

Montana does not have a clear policy or procedure for updating the gender marker on your driver’s license or state ID.

You may be able to change the gender marker on your Montana-issued ID by visiting an MVD License Exam Station and providing:

• certified copy of court order certifying your gender transition
• letter of support from a therapist or physician (If you do not have a court order changing your gender, providing letters of support from both a therapist and a physician may speed up the process.)

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RESOURCE

Montana Law Help – Name and Gender Change