# Unclaimed Oil and Gas Royalties in Montana

> How to find and claim unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Montana: the official search site, dormancy period, how to claim, heir rules and fees.

- URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties/montana
- Last updated: 2026-11-02
- Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/)
- Format: full-content Markdown twin of the page (same content as the HTML; site navigation and footer removed)

Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) › [Unclaimed Mineral Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties) › Montana

Quick answer

Unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Montana are held by the Montana Department of Revenue — Unclaimed Property; search its official site, tap.dor.mt.gov, under every name the royalties may have been paid to. Money for a mineral or royalty owner who cannot be found may instead sit in a court-created unlocatable mineral trust, usually held by the county clerk of court and claimed by filing a Notice of Address with the county clerk and recorder. Montana presumes unpaid property abandoned after 5 years (Mont. Code Ann. § 70-9-803(1)(q) ('all other property')), and the holder must then report it to the state.

[Search tap.dor.mt.gov](https://tap.dor.mt.gov/?link=UCPSearch&Check=1)

## Where to search in Montana

Montana's unclaimed property is held by the Department of Revenue. Owners search and file claims for free through the Department's TransAction Portal (TAP).

Source: [Montana Department of Revenue — Unclaimed Property (tap.dor.mt.gov)](https://tap.dor.mt.gov/?link=UCPSearch&Check=1)

## When unpaid royalties are presumed abandoned

Montana's statute has no separate mineral line; mineral proceeds fall under the general 'all other property' period of five years. The Department's holder guide confirms this, listing the mineral codes under 70-9-803(1)(q) with a five-year period.

**Dormancy period:** 5 years

**Statute:** Mont. Code Ann. § 70-9-803(1)(q) ('all other property')

**Mineral-specific rule:** No (general period)

Sources: [Mont. Code Ann. § 70-9-803(1)(q) ('all other property')](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0700/chapter_0090/part_0080/section_0030/0700-0090-0080-0030.html) · [Department of Revenue holder guide](https://revenuefiles.mt.gov/files/unclaimed-property/montana-unclaimed-property-reporting/unclaimed-property-holder-guide.pdf)

## How operators report unclaimed royalties

Montana holder reports are due before November 1 using a June 30 cutoff; life insurers file before May 1. Holders paying into unlocatable mineral trusts administered by the Department mail a check with a list of the trusts and amounts.

**Report due:** Before November 1 (life insurers: before May 1)

**Covers property held as of:** June 30 cutoff (twelve months preceding July 1)

**Oil and gas rule:** Money for leasehold, mineral or royalty owners who cannot be found may instead sit in a court-created unlocatable mineral trust; when the Department is trustee, holders mail payments with a list of trusts and amounts.

Sources: [Official source](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0700/chapter_0090/part_0080/section_0080/0700-0090-0080-0080.html) · [Department of Revenue: unlocatable mineral trusts](https://revenue.mt.gov/unclaimed-property/unlocatable-mineral-trusts)

## How to claim and what proof you need

Montana claims are filed free through the TransAction Portal, and the Department has 90 days to finish a claim once it has all documents. If requested information is not returned within six months, the claim is denied, though it can be reopened later.

**How to file:** Search and file a claim online through the Department's TransAction Portal (TAP); track status with the 10-digit tracking number.

Source: [Official claim instructions](https://revenue.mt.gov/unclaimed-property/claims)

## Claiming for a deceased owner

Heirs file on TAP. If the estate is open, payment goes to the estate on a death certificate, the estate's tax ID and court-issued personal representative papers; otherwise heirs claim under intestate succession using affidavit and family-history forms the Department supplies. The Department's heirship page also says when it requires an estate before paying.

**Documents:** Heirship claims filed on TAP. Open estate: death certificate, proof of the estate's tax ID number, and court-issued personal representative documents. No estate or closed estate: heirs claim under intestate succession using the Department's Affidavit of Heirship/Successor and Decedent Family History forms (sent in the claim packet). Escheated estates require a court order from the county probate court.

Whether an estate must be opened is a legal question for a qualified attorney in that state.

Source: [Official source](https://revenue.mt.gov/unclaimed-property/heirship-claims)

## Fees and finder services

Claiming through the Department is free. Claiming an unlocatable mineral trust is a separate route: the owner files a Notice of Address with the county clerk and recorder, which carries a $5 fee (MCA 82-1-306). Montana sets no percentage cap on finder fees, but finder agreements signed before 24 months after the property reaches the state are void, and for mineral proceeds a fee paid in minerals or future proceeds is void.

**State claim fee:** None for unclaimed property claims; claiming an unlocatable mineral trust requires filing a Notice of Address with the county clerk and recorder ($5.00 fee, MCA 82-1-306)

**Finder-fee limit:** No percentage cap; agreements made from the presumed-abandoned date until 24 months after delivery to the state are void (attorney exception); for mineral proceeds, fee provisions payable in underlying minerals or not-yet-abandoned proceeds are void

**Finder-fee statute:** Mont. Code Ann. § 70-9-825

Sources: [Official source](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0700/chapter_0090/part_0080/section_0250/0700-0090-0080-0250.html) · [Department of Revenue claims page](https://revenue.mt.gov/unclaimed-property/claims) · [Mont. Code Ann. § 82-1-306 (Notice of Address, $5 fee)](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0820/chapter_0010/part_0030/section_0060/0820-0010-0030-0060.html)

## Notes for oil and gas royalties

Montana has a separate path for missing mineral owners: an unlocatable mineral trust, created by a court when a leasehold, mineral or royalty owner cannot be found, usually with the county clerk of court as trustee (or the Department if the clerk declines). Owners claim a trust by filing a Notice of Address with the clerk and recorder in the county where the minerals are, and when the Department manages the fund claimants receive 50% of the interest earned.

Source: [Official source](https://revenue.mt.gov/unclaimed-property/unlocatable-mineral-trusts)

## Frequently asked questions

### Where do I search for unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Montana?

Montana's unclaimed property is held by the Department of Revenue. Owners search and file claims for free through the Department's TransAction Portal (TAP). Search under every name the royalties may have been paid to, including maiden names and deceased relatives.

### How long before unpaid royalties are reported to the state in Montana?

Montana's statute has no separate mineral line; mineral proceeds fall under the general 'all other property' period of five years. The Department's holder guide confirms this, listing the mineral codes under 70-9-803(1)(q) with a five-year period.

### What do I need to claim unclaimed royalties in Montana?

Montana claims are filed free through the TransAction Portal, and the Department has 90 days to finish a claim once it has all documents. If requested information is not returned within six months, the claim is denied, though it can be reopened later.

### Can I claim a deceased relative's royalties in Montana?

Heirs file on TAP. If the estate is open, payment goes to the estate on a death certificate, the estate's tax ID and court-issued personal representative papers; otherwise heirs claim under intestate succession using affidavit and family-history forms the Department supplies. The Department's heirship page also says when it requires an estate before paying. This is general information, not legal advice.

### Does it cost anything to claim unclaimed royalties in Montana?

Claiming through the Department is free. Claiming an unlocatable mineral trust is a separate route: the owner files a Notice of Address with the county clerk and recorder, which carries a $5 fee (MCA 82-1-306). Montana sets no percentage cap on finder fees, but finder agreements signed before 24 months after the property reaches the state are void, and for mineral proceeds a fee paid in minerals or future proceeds is void.

Educational information only, not legal or tax advice; consult a qualified attorney about your situation. Facts are from the state's unclaimed-property office and the state code, checked Nov 2, 2026. Related: [unclaimed royalties in every state](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties) · [suspended royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/suspended-royalties-guide) · [find your payor](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/find-your-payor)

## About Buckhead Energy
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance. Buckhead Energy's written offers stay open for 14 days.

**Sell mineral rights:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell
**Operator directory:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators