Is a Montana Non-Resident Permit Valid in North Dakota?

Why

• Montana does not issue carry permits to non-residents (permit requires at least 6 months' montana residency, us citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and montana id (mca 45-8-321; mt doj). no non-resident permits are issued).

AG: 'North Dakota will honor a valid concealed carry license/permit (resident and non-resident) issued by a state that has agreed to recognize a North Dakota license' (NDCC 62.1-04-03.1) — the honored list above is the AG's list of states recognizing the ND Class 1 license. Separately, any adult 18+ with a valid US state/territory ID who may lawfully possess can carry permitless regardless of permits.

Carry rules in North Dakota

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside North Dakota, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• Not proactive by statute: license carriers must produce the license for inspection upon an officer's request, and permitless carriers must disclose the firearm if the officer inquires and show state ID on request (NDCC 62.1-04-04; $20 noncriminal fee). The AG's Constitutional Carry page nonetheless instructs permitless carriers to inform law enforcement on any in-person contact — safest practice is to inform.
• North Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• North Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal for ND licensees, out-of-state reciprocity carriers, and permitless-eligible individuals carrying a valid state/territory ID (NDCC 62.1-02-10(3),(8)).

Off-limits places in North Dakota

North Dakota bans carry in 4 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Bar areas set aside for alcohol sale/consumption, and bingo gaming sites (NDCC 62.1-02-04)
• Schools and school-sponsored events on school property

See all 4 places you can't carry in North Dakota →

Montana vs North Dakota: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Montana into North Dakota changes 2 rules: permitless carry (Yes → Yes (18+)); out-of-state permits honored (43 states → 39 states).

Going the other way, a North Dakota non-resident permit in Montana: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Permits that do work in North Dakota

These non-resident permits are honored in North Dakota, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Arizona non-resident permit · honored in 31 states

Driving on from North Dakota

How a Montana non-resident permit fares in the states bordering North Dakota:

• Minnesota — No such permit issued
• South Dakota — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does North Dakota honor a Montana resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because North Dakota treats the two permit types differently.

Can a North Dakota non-resident permit holder carry in Montana?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Montana's law, not North Dakota's.

Does Montana issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Montana issues carry permits to residents only (permit requires at least 6 months' Montana residency, US citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and Montana ID (MCA 45-8-321; MT DOJ). No non-resident permits are issued). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.