In Montana, each certified copy costs $16Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Copies ordered together cost less than separate orders placed later. The Montana estate settlement plan lists the accounts and institutions that each want a certified copy.
Processing times in Montana vary; the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services - Office of Vital RecordsMontana Department of Public Health and Human Services - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source publishes the current turnaround. A funeral home's order at the time of death usually arrives first.
Montana sets a statutory order for who controls the disposition of remains: person named on department of defense form 93, then surviving spouse, then surviving childrenMont. Code Ann. § 37-19-904Verified Jul 13, 2026View source. The state allows you to name your own agent in a signed, written documentMont. Code Ann. § 37-19-903Verified Jul 13, 2026View source, and that designation takes priority over the default order. Those wishes can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
Montana imposes a 24-hour minimum waiting periodMont. Code Ann. § 37-19-704Verified Jul 13, 2026View source before cremation. Signed cremation authorization from person with disposition authority per § 37-19-904; crematory may not cremate until authorization is received (§ 37-19-704).
Montana allows estates valued at $100,000MCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less to use the Collection of Personal Property by AffidavitMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which avoids full probate administration. The Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit is presented directly to the bank, employer, or other holder of the property — it is not filed with a court. The waiting period is 30 daysMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.