THE PRIMARY PURPOSE FOR RURAL ADDRESSING IS 911 SERVICES
The most important reason for having a County assigned address for your property is to make it easy for 9-1-1 Emergency Services to reach you and your family in case of need.  Your County assigned address is part of a system of Emergency Services Atlas maps and computer data information that is utilized by all 9-1-1 Emergency Service units.  With the Enhanced
9-1-1 System that is to be implemented in Sanders County, your location will automatically appear on the computer screen in a 9-1-1 dispatch office once you dial 9-1-1, even if you or a family member are so incapacitated or confused that you cannot speak to the dispatcher and even if English is not the language spoken in your home.  This system will help save time, property and lives.

ALSO BENEFICIAL FOR THE FOLLOWING:

DELIVERY SERVICES
The U.S. Postal Service and other delivery services are switching to street address numbers for their deliveries as these addresses are assigned within Sanders County.  Rural Route numbers and other methods of identifying County residences and businesses for mail delivery will be phased out as these street addresses become official.

UTILITIES
Utilities, such as telephone, electric, gas and water, are also beginning to utilize County assigned street addresses to more easily locate sites for installation and repair services.  Within Sanders County, some utilities will no longer be established unless a property has an assigned address.

REAL ESTATE/MORTGAGE/INSURANCE
For official financial documents and transactions, real estate, mortgage and insurance firms are also beginning to utilize County assigned addresses in order to specifically identify those properties in which they have an interest.

DRIVER LICENSES/VEHICLE TITLES
As you will note on applications for Montana Driver License or a Vehicle Title, a street address is required in addition to a Post Office Box number mailing address.

CREDIT/LOANS
To obtain credit cards and bank loans, many financial institutions now require street addresses on applications.  This requirement is expected to become basic as personal financial information is increasingly computerized.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS
In order to enroll your children in school, school administrators need to know your street address so that they can determine in which school district you reside and the appropriate bus routing.

CHILDREN
Your children, should they become lost or ill, should have a distinct address number that is given to police or other emergency units in order that you may be promptly notified of the situation.

VISITORS
Relatives, friends, health service agencies, or social organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, that are trying to locate you, will have a much easier task if you have a specific street address.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ADDRESS

Unnamed roads can be named by a plurality of property owners living on the road by filling out a “Private Road Register”.