How to Become a Montana Resident
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Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org
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According to the state's website, Montana has different
residency requirements for different purposes.
Obtaining a Driver's License
• For the purposes of obtaining a driver's license, you are
considered as having Montana residency after 60 consecutive
days and must have a Montana license in order to operate a
motor vehicle in the state of Montana.
• For a Montana commercial motor vehicle license, the
requirement is 30 days.
For more information on Montana driver's licensing, see Montana
Code Annotated 61-5-103 and the Montana Department of
Justice, Motor Vehicle Division Montana Driver Licensing page at
dojmt.gov/driving/driver-licensing/#DLID10.
Obtaining Fishing and Hunting
Licenses
• For purposes of fishing and hunting licenses, you are
considered a Montana resident after having lived 180
consecutive days in Montana. After establishing Montana
residency, you must live in the state of Montana a minimum of
120 days a year.
• Your principal home must be located in Montana.
• You must file Montana state income tax returns as a resident
(if required to file).
• Vehicles operated in Montana must be licensed and titled as
required by Montana law.
• You can be registered to vote only in the state of Montana.
• You cannot claim residency in any other state or country for
any purpose.
• There may be different requirements for members of the U.S.
armed forces.
For more information, see Montana Codes Annotated
87-2-102 and the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks website
at fwp.mt.gov/.
Residence Requirements
for Higher Education
• For purposes of higher education, a student must be
domiciled in Montana for one year immediately
preceding registration.
• Attendance as a full-time student is not sufficient to
qualify for residence.
For more information, see Montana Code Annotated 20-25-201.
For more information about relocating to Montana, see the
state's site, montana.gov/residents/.
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