A first or second PFMA conviction does not put you on a registry in Montana. A third or subsequent PFMA does, and so does a conviction for strangulation of a partner or family member, aggravated assault, or assault with a weapon. Those are "violent offenses" under the Sexual or Violent Offender Registration Act, and they carry a registration duty of at least 10 years. This page is part of our Montana Domestic Violence Guide.
Which Domestic Violence Charges Require Registration
The list of violent offenses is in MCA § 46-23-502(14). It also reaches an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit a listed offense, and reasonably equivalent offenses under the laws of other states, tribes, the federal government, or the military.
| Offense | Registry offense? | MCA |
|---|---|---|
| PFMA, first or second offense | No | § 45-5-206; not listed in § 46-23-502(14) |
| PFMA, third or subsequent offense | Yes | § 46-23-502(14)(a)(iv) |
| Strangulation of a partner or family member | Yes | § 46-23-502(14)(a)(viii) |
| Aggravated assault | Yes | § 46-23-502(14)(a)(iii) |
| Assault with a weapon | Yes | § 46-23-502(14)(a)(vii) |
| Violation of an order of protection or a no contact order | No | Not listed in § 46-23-502(14) |
| Stalking | No | Not listed in § 46-23-502(14) |
The table shows why the count of prior convictions matters so much. Because the PFMA statute has no lookback period, an old prior can turn a new charge into a third offense. See how prior convictions count and felony PFMA, third offense. For the other listed charges, see strangulation of a partner and aggravated assault on a partner.
When and Where You Register
A person convicted of a violent offense who is not sentenced to confinement must register immediately upon conclusion of the sentencing hearing. A person who is confined must be registered at least 10 days before release (MCA § 46-23-504(1)(a), (b)). Anyone required to register who enters a Montana county to live, or to stay temporarily for 10 days or more, must register within 3 business days (MCA § 46-23-504(1)(c)).
Registration is with the police department if you live in a city or town, and with the sheriff's office otherwise (MCA § 46-23-502(7)). The agency takes fingerprints, a photograph, and a DNA sample, and you sign a statement that includes your name and aliases, residence, employer, school, driver's license and vehicle information, e-mail addresses and social media identifiers, phone numbers, passports, and professional licenses (MCA § 46-23-504(3)).
Keeping the Registration Current
- Annual verification. The Department of Justice mails a verification form each year to a violent offender. It must be completed, signed before a notary, and returned to the registration agency within 10 days of receipt (MCA § 46-23-504(6)).
- Changes. A change of name or residence, or a change in student, employment, or transient status, must be reported in person within 3 business days (MCA § 46-23-505(1)).
- Time away from your county. If you are physically absent from your county of residence for more than 10 consecutive days, you must register in the county where you are on the 11th day (MCA § 46-23-505(4)).
- Leaving Montana. If you will be out of state for more than 7 days, you must give notice in person no later than 3 days before the scheduled travel (MCA § 46-23-505(6)).
- Costs. The offender is responsible, if able to pay, for costs associated with registration (MCA § 46-23-504(8)).
How Long Registration Lasts
A violent offender registers "for the 10 years following release from confinement or, if not confined following sentencing, for the 10 years following the conclusion of the sentencing hearing," and after that "is automatically relieved of the duty to register" (MCA § 46-23-506(2)(a)). The Department of Justice then removes the person from the registry (MCA § 46-23-506(2)(c)).
There is one major exception. A person convicted during the 10-year period of failing to register or keep registration current, or of a felony, must register for life. That person may petition a district court for relief at any time after 10 years of registration. The court may grant the petition if it finds the person has remained a law-abiding citizen and that continued registration is not necessary for public protection and relief is in the best interests of society. The victim of the last offense is notified and may be heard (MCA § 46-23-506(2)(b), (e)).
What the Public Can See
Information kept under the registration law is confidential criminal justice information, with two exceptions that matter for violent offenders. The registered person's name and address are public. And where the Department of Justice or the registration agency determines that an offender is a risk to community safety, it releases relevant information, which for a violent offender includes at least the name and the offenses requiring registration (MCA § 46-23-508(1)). Dissemination can be by newspaper, flyers, the internet, or other media (MCA § 46-23-508(3)).
A public address has practical effects on housing and employment, beyond what an ordinary background check shows.
Registration Is Decided by the Charge of Conviction
The registry follows the offense a person is convicted of. A conviction for misdemeanor PFMA and a conviction for strangulation arising from the same event lead to very different results: one carries no registration, the other 10 years of it. That makes the registry part of any discussion about how a felony domestic violence case should be resolved. Our felony defense page explains how the firm approaches those cases.
This page explains Montana law in general as of the 2025 Montana Code Annotated. It is not legal advice about your specific case.