Montana Filing and E-Filing: Spend Less Time on Paperwork
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Montana's e-filing system keeps adding courts, but it is attorney-only. The courts say plainly that e-filing is not available to self-represented litigants right now, so you file family court papers on paper or by mail with your clerk of district court.
Check with your local clerk of court for how they want documents from people without a lawyer, since some accept email.
In Montana, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk.
Official Montana filing resources
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Montana Courts Electronic Filing (Tyler Technologies): Montana's e-filing system keeps adding courts, but it is attorney-only. The courts say plainly that e-filing is not available to self-represented litigants right now, so you file family court papers on paper or by mail with your clerk of district court. https://mtefile.courts.mt.gov/login
Montana official filing information (Montana judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Montana and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://courts.mt.gov/courts/efile/
Montana Court Locator (by county or city) (Montana judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://courts.mt.gov/court-locator
Montana family law forms (official index) (Montana judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Montana family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://courts.mt.gov/forms
Montana court self-help resources (Montana courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Montana family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.montanalawhelp.org
Montana rules of procedure (Montana judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Montana. https://courts.mt.gov/Courts/Rules/District
Official link data for Montana was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file my own family papers online in Montana?
In Montana, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk. Check with your local clerk of court for how they want documents from people without a lawyer, since some accept email.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Montana?
Dissolution filing fee: ~$170. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Which court hears family cases in Montana?
Family cases in Montana are heard in the District Court. Montana's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases. Montana's 56 counties are grouped into judicial districts.
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