Certified Copy vs Informational Certificates

Certified copies:

• Are printed on blue-bordered security paper.
• Will have a holographic bear on the top right of the front side.
• Will have a watermark of the Montana seal on the front side.
• Will have two signatures (State Registrar/Deputy State Registrar and person who issued certificate) on the bottom of the front side.
• Will have a document control number on the bottom left corner on the back side.
• Abstract version will have basic information while a long form will look like a scan of certificate held in Vital Records’ vault. Both should be accepted as certified copies.
  • Abstract birth certificates work for most situations, such as enrolling a child in school or obtaining a driver’s license or passport.
  • Long form birth certificates are needed for situations such as tribal enrollment, apostilles, and dual citizenship.

Informational copies:

• Are printed on regular copy paper.
• Will have a red “FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY” stamp across the front.
• No unique numbers or signatures.
• Will look like a scan from the certificate held in Vital Records’ vault. There is no abstract version of informational copies.
• Should NOT be accepted as a certified copy.

If you are an agency requiring assistance determining if a Montana birth or death certificate is legitimate, please contact our office at 406-444-2685.