Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 40. FAMILY LAW

CHAPTER 1. MARRIAGE

Part 3. Solemnization

Declaration Of Marriage Without Solemnization

40-1-311. Declaration of marriage without solemnization. (1) Persons may consummate a marriage by written declaration in this state without the solemnization provided for in 40-1-301. The declaration must be filed by the clerk of the district court in the county where the contract was executed.

(2) A declaration of marriage must contain substantially the following:

(a) the names, ages, and residences of the parties;

(b) the fact of marriage;

(c) the name of father and maiden name of mother of both parties and address of each;

(d) a statement that both parties are legally competent to enter into the marriage contract.

(3) The declaration must be subscribed by the parties and attested by at least two witnesses and formally acknowledged before the clerk of the district court of the county.

(4) The fee for filing a declaration is $53 and must be paid to the clerk at time of filing.

History: En. Sec. 85, Civ. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 3631, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 5724, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Civ. C. Sec. 75; re-en. Sec. 5724, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 275, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 44, Ch. 536, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 48-130; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 33, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 12, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 493, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 249, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 43, L. 2019.