US state guide

Montana birth certificates and apostilles for European citizenship

Almost every citizenship-by-descent application starts with certified Montana records. Here is how to order the right version, get the apostille and avoid the mistakes that cause rejections.

1

Order a certified long-form certificate

  • OfficeMontana DPHHS Office of Vital Records
  • Long formlong form (must be requested specifically; issued automatically when the application notes it is for an Apostille)
  • How to orderonline, mail, in person
  • Fee per birth certificate$16
Official Montana vital records site ↗

Order birth, marriage and death records for every generation in your chain, not just your own.

2

Get the apostille

  • Issued byMontana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division
  • Fee per document$10
  • How to applymail, in person, online
  • Watch outSOS recommends certified copies issued within the last five years; pay Vital Records and SOS with separate checks; walk-in same day service by appointment only after pre-check
Official Montana apostille page ↗
3

Prepare it for your country

Greece

Certified long-form records, each with an apostille, then an official Greek translation.

Translate only after the apostille is attached, by a certified translator or the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs translation service.

Greek citizenship guide →

Ireland

Original civil (state-issued) certificates for you, your parent and your Irish-born grandparent.

US documents are in English, so no translation is needed. Check the current Foreign Births Register document guide before ordering apostilles.

Irish citizenship guide →

Poland

Certified long-form records with apostilles, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.

Polish authorities require translations by a Polish sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), done after the apostille.

Polish citizenship guide →

Fees and procedures come from official Montana websites and change often. Last reviewed: October 2026.

FAQ

How do I get a long-form birth certificate in Montana?

Order a certified copy from Montana DPHHS Office of Vital Records (online, mail, in person). Note: long form (must be requested specifically; issued automatically when the application notes it is for an Apostille). Ask for the full version that lists both parents, because short-form or abstract copies are usually rejected for citizenship applications.

How do I get an apostille in Montana?

Apostilles for Montana documents are issued by Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division, currently $10 per document. SOS recommends certified copies issued within the last five years; pay Vital Records and SOS with separate checks; walk-in same day service by appointment only after pre-check Check the official page for current fees and processing times.

Do I translate before or after the apostille?

After. The apostille certifies the signature on the original document, so the translation must cover the document and the apostille together.

Which countries' citizenship can these Montana documents be used for?

The same apostilled Montana records are the starting point for Greek, Irish and Polish citizenship by descent, among others. Each country adds its own translation and registration rules.

Need your ancestor's US naturalization records? →

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