Defamation Laws in Montana

How long you have to sue for libel or slander in Montana, and any retraction rules, from the state code.

Short answer: You have 2 years to sue for libel (written defamation) or slander (spoken defamation) in Montana. The same 2-year limit applies to both. MCA § 27-2-204(3)

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)	You have 2 years to sue for libel (written defamation) or slander (spoken defamation) in Montana. The same 2-year limit applies to both. Source: MCA § 27-2-204(3)
Retraction (correction) rules	Yes. Before claiming punitive damages for a defamatory publication or broadcast by a newspaper, magazine, periodical, radio or TV station, or cable system, the defamed person must first give written notice identifying the false statements and stating the true facts, giving a reasonable opportunity to correct (§ 27-1-818). A correction in the first issue published after 1 week from receipt of the notice, or a broadcast of equal duration at the same time of day within 7 days, is timely (§ 27-1-819). If the publication was an honest mistake, a timely, equally prominent correction is a defense against punitive damages (§ 27-1-821). Reasonable time: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0270/chapter_0010/part_0080/section_0190/0270-0010-0080-0190.html; defense: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0270/chapter_0010/part_0080/section_0210/0270-0010-0080-0210.html Source: MCA §§ 27-1-818 to 27-1-821

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)

You have 2 years to sue for libel (written defamation) or slander (spoken defamation) in Montana. The same 2-year limit applies to both.

Source: MCA § 27-2-204(3)

Retraction (correction) rules

Yes. Before claiming punitive damages for a defamatory publication or broadcast by a newspaper, magazine, periodical, radio or TV station, or cable system, the defamed person must first give written notice identifying the false statements and stating the true facts, giving a reasonable opportunity to correct (§ 27-1-818). A correction in the first issue published after 1 week from receipt of the notice, or a broadcast of equal duration at the same time of day within 7 days, is timely (§ 27-1-819). If the publication was an honest mistake, a timely, equally prominent correction is a defense against punitive damages (§ 27-1-821).

Reasonable time: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0270/chapter_0010/part_0080/section_0190/0270-0010-0080-0190.html; defense: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0270/chapter_0010/part_0080/section_0210/0270-0010-0080-0210.html

Source: MCA §§ 27-1-818 to 27-1-821

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FAQ

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Montana?

You have 2 years to sue for libel (written defamation) or slander (spoken defamation) in Montana. The same 2-year limit applies to both.

Does Montana have a defamation retraction law?

Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.