State guide
Montana
Montana uses staged VIN inspections rather than a single generic verifier category. State materials distinguish Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 inspections, with different officials and fees depending on whether the vehicle is an out-of-state title case, a salvage/rebuilt vehicle, or a more complex identification issue.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
- When a VIN verification is required
- Montana’s published VIN inspection materials require inspection for out-of-state title situations and for salvage/rebuilt vehicles, and the title manual says more complex rebuilt or identity issues may require Stage 2 or Stage 3 inspection; the pages reviewed did not publish a separate statewide private-verifier program.
- Who can do it
- Montana publishes Stage 1 inspections by local law enforcement or driver exam station personnel, Stage 2 by a Montana Department of Justice employee or Montana Peace Officer, and Stage 3 by driver exam station regional managers or CVOL examiners only.
- Official form
- Form MV20 Vehicle/Vessel/OHV Identification Number Inspection Certificate; Form MV208 for Stage 3 inspections
- Fee
- Stage 1: no fee in the title manual; Stage 2: $18.50 in the title manual; salvage vehicles: $19.06 on the MV20 form; Stage 3: $18.50 in the title manual.
Official resources in Montana
Butte-Silver Bow FAQs
Official county page directing customers to driver services locations or the statewide appointment number for most VIN inspections.
Key facts for Montana
- Montana Stage 1 inspections are documented on Form MV20 and the title manual says they have no fee.
- MV20 says a Level 2 inspection must be conducted by a Montana Department of Justice employee or Montana Peace Officer.
- MV20 says salvage vehicles must pay a $19.06 fee before inspection.
- The title manual says Stage 2 inspections use Form MV20 and require an $18.50 fee.
- The title manual says Stage 3 inspections use Form MV208 and require an $18.50 fee.
- The title manual says a Stage 1 inspection may be done by local law enforcement or driver exam station personnel.
Official VIN inspection locations in Montana
| Location | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte-Silver Bow County Driver's License Office Silver Bow | Butte | 866-450-8034 | County FAQ says most VIN inspections are handled through driver services locations and gives the statewide appointment number. |
| Driver Services locations program | Not published* | Not published* | Official county pages direct customers here for most VIN inspections and related appointments. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If your vehicle is coming from out of state, start by asking whether Montana only needs a Stage 1 public-VIN inspection or a higher stage because of salvage history or missing identifiers.
- For salvage or rebuilt cases, pay the required inspection fee before the inspection and bring title and parts documentation.
- If you are sent for a Stage 3 inspection, use the driver services appointment process or the statewide scheduling number published by Montana counties.
Not seeing your location or county?
Not every location publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Montana's population center, for comparison only):
- St. Maries – Vehicle Services, Idaho · about 250 miles
- Blackfoot – Vehicle Services, Idaho · about 253 miles
- Washington State Patrol VIN Inspection Program - Spokane, Washington · about 291 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Butte-Silver Bow FAQs
Website →Phone: (406) 497-6200 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Montana page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.