Document Recording & Filing

Recording Standards

The recording fee for documents meeting the following standards is $7.00 per page. The fee for non-standard documents is the $7.00 per page plus $10.00.

Fees for Recording Documents

7-4-2636. Standards for recorded documents -- exemptions.

 (1) Unless accompanied by the appropriate fee required in 7-4-2637, a document submitted for recording must:

(a) be legibly printed or typed in blue or black ink on white paper that is either 8 1/2 x 11 inches or 8 1/2 x 14 inches in size;

(b) provide the names of the parties to the conveyance on the first or second page of any document with more than one page;

(c) provide a description of the property if the document conveys an interest in real property;

(d) have all signatures, initials, dates, or handwriting in blue or black ink;

(e) except as provided in subsection (1)(f) and except for page numbers, initials, or other designations, have margins that are clear of all markings in the following dimensions:

(i) at least 3 inches at the top of the first page and at least 1 inch at the top of the second and any subsequent pages;

(ii) at least 1 inch on the bottom of each page;

(iii) at least 1/2 inch on the sides of each page; and

(f) include the name and mailing address of the person to whom the document is to be returned in the upper left-hand corner of the first page between the 1/2-inch side margins of each document submitted and may include legibly printed or typed transactional information.

(2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), only documents submitted for recording and filing that conform to the provisions of this section are considered standard documents for the purposes of 7-4-2637.

(b) Documents that are acknowledged as having been executed prior to April 28, 2007, must be accepted for recording and considered standard documents, regardless of whether they conform to the provisions of this section.

(3) (a) An acknowledgment by a notary is exempt from the color and margin requirements of this section.

(b) Page numbers, the name and mailing address of the person to whom the document is to be returned, and other administrative information or designations may appear in the margins.

(c) If the notarial seal is made by impression of an embosser, the seal is exempt from the margin requirements of this section.

(4) An officially certified court or other government document, whether from an in-state or out-of-state office, is exempt from the provisions of this section.

State of Montana Realty Transfer Certificate (pdf)

If you have any questions regarding these document standards, please contact the Clerk & Recorder's Office at 406-497-6335.