About Liquor Licensing

The Department of Revenue, Liquor Control Division administers Title 16, Chapters 1 through 6, Montana Code Annotated otherwise know as the Alcoholic Beverage Code. The Alcoholic Beverage Code relates to the control, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.

Liquor Licensing areas of responsibility include processing new retail, off-premises, wholesale and manufacturing license applications; transfer of existing licenses; license renewal applications, winery registrations and licenses, as well as vendor permits. This section is also responsible for monitoring the activities of existing licensees and permit holders, and for responding to issues arising from that activity and related infractions of law, rule, policy and procedure.

New On-Line Features:

In an effort to offer more convenient account access, the Department of Revenue, Liquor Licensing is now offering the following on-line features beginning January 1, 2009:

Ability to add a catering endorsement to a retail license;
Ability to request nonuse status;
Ability to request approval to begin an alteration;
Ability to request addition of a new manager;
Ability to request addition of a new secured party;
Ability to request an address or name change;
Ability to add a wine amendment to an existing retail beer license;
Ability to add wine or beer to an existing wholesale license;
Ability to submit catering logs.

All licensees will be required to register on Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) to manage their account. No fee will be required to use this convenient feature. In addition, beginning May, 2009, all licensees will be able to file their renewal on-line by simply registering on TAP.

How to request Liquor Licensing Information:

Please refer to our On-line License Query for the following requests:

Name of secured parties on a license;
Who is the owner of a specific license;
Does the license have a catering endorsement? Refer to the License Codes list to view the different types of licenses that may have catering;
Status of a license (ie nonuse, active, pending application).

Please refer to our Temporary Authority Log to verify the applicant who is authorized to operate a license during a pending application.

Please refer to our Monthly Approval Log to verify the new owner of a license, new location or purchase price for licenses approved during the month.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost for process and license fees is stipulated by Administrative Rule of Montana 42.12.111 and 16-4-501, Montana Code Annotated.

Title 16 - Montana Code Annotated
Administrative Rules of Montana

Liquor Licensing Team:

Licensing Specialists by County
Shauna Helfert, Administrator (406) 444-1464
Jason Wood, Bureau Chief (406) 444-0711

For all other requests, please submit in writing to: Liquor Control Division, P.O. Box 1712, Helena, MT 59624-1712 or fax (406) 444-0722. If you would like to speak to someone, please contact us at (406) 444-6900 or toll free at 1-866-859-2254 and ask for a licensing specialist.