Montana permit requirements

Official-source summary. Values we could not confirm are labelled, never filled with assumptions.

At a glance

Permit required to carry

Permit currently issued

Yes

Issuance structure

Constitutional

Issuing level

County

Minimum age

Training

Required

Live fire

Not required

Application fee

Reported: up to $50 in one source and about $60 in another. Confirm at the source

Permit term

4 years

Residency required

Yes. Montana resident for at least 6 months. No non-resident permits. Confirm with the issuing agency

Processing time

60 days Confirm with the issuing agency

Some current details are not fully confirmed. Verify dates, fees, and requirements on the official page before relying on them.

Issuing agency: County Sheriff's Office

Source: Montana Department of Justice — last checked 2026-10-04

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What to know in Montana

Montana is listed as a permitless carry state, so a permit is optional for eligible adults; the card is the Concealed Weapons Permit (MCWP). For the optional permit, county offices handle permits, so the office you use depends on where you live. The issuing agency is County Sheriff's Office.

The minimum age to apply is 18. A training course is required before you apply in Montana. The course has no live-fire part. A new permit lasts 4 years.

To replace a lost or stolen Montana permit, expect to provide a sworn statement. After a move or name change, tell the issuing agency within 10 days. Confirm with the issuing agency

Official page: Montana Department of Justice · Reciprocity: where a Montana permit is honored

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