Montana LLC Formation: $35 State Fee, Filed Online
Our Montana LLC formation package is $199 plus the state's $35 filing fee — we prepare and file the paperwork. Every Montana LLC also needs a registered agent on record; that's $99/year, invoiced as its own separate line.
Opening an LLC in Montana is more procedural than complicated: one filing, one agent to keep on file, a few yearly tasks. The state's cut is $35, among the cheapest LLC filing fees anywhere, and the whole thing is submitted online. Up next: the formation steps, the fee table, and where our $199 service plugs in.
Get Your Montana LLC — $199
$199 flat — we handle the documentation, send it to Montana Secretary of State, and wait for approval. Allow a handful of business days.
What A Montana LLC Is (and Why People Form One)
LLCs are the workhorse small-business entity: they shield the owner's personal assets and pass income straight to the owner's tax return. Among Montana small business owners, consultants, real estate holders, solo operators, and small partnerships all favor the LLC for its blend of low overhead and real protection.
The Numbers: Montana's $35 LLC Filing Fee
| What you pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| Our formation service | $199, one-time |
| Montana state filing fee | $35, one-time |
| Registered agent (mandatory for every Montana LLC) | $99 per year |
| Annual report | $20 per year, due April 15 |
We charge $199 for the filing. Montana Secretary of State bills the state fee separately. Our designated agent product is $99 annually on its own. The official state fee schedule (PDF) confirms the $35 Articles of Organization fee, which sits near the bottom of the national range.
Articles of Organization: No Form Number, Online Only
The formation document is the Articles of Organization, authorized by Mont. Code Ann. § 35-8-201. Do not go hunting for a numbered PDF; Montana does not issue one. The articles are completed and submitted inside the Secretary of State's Business Filing Portal (biz.sosmt.gov). No mail-in route exists. The official Montana filing fee is $35.
Montana LLC Formation, Step by Step
- Pick a name the state will accept. It needs an LLC designator and must be distinguishable from every entity already registered. Check candidates against the state's public entity search first. Banking, insurance, and government terms are restricted without clearance.
- Name a registered agent. Every Montana LLC keeps an agent with an in-state street address on file, and that address is publicly searchable. $99 annually is what our agent service costs; our address takes the public exposure instead of yours.
- Submit the Articles of Organization. Log in with ePass Montana, complete the articles (company name, principal address, agent name and address, member-managed or manager-managed, organizers), and pay the state $35. Online is the only channel.
- Write the operating agreement. Not filed with the state, needed anyway. It sets ownership, distributions, authority, voting, and exits. Without one, Montana's default LLC statute decides those questions for you.
- Obtain the federal EIN. The LLC's federal tax identifier, used by banks, payroll services, and the IRS. Apply on the IRS website; it is free and takes about ten minutes. Never pay for it.
- Handle ongoing compliance. Keep the agent designation current every day the LLC exists, file the $20 annual report by April 15, keep business and personal finances fully separated, and hit federal and Montana tax deadlines. Slip and the Secretary of State can administratively dissolve the LLC, which suspends your liability protection until reinstatement.
If you'd rather outsource: $199 covers the whole filing through our service.
Registered Agents in Montana
Every Montana LLC must keep a registered agent on file; the statute leaves no opt-out. What the agent must do:
- Maintain an actual Montana location with a brick-and-mortar address (a PO box by itself isn't enough)
- Be available all through normal business hours for service of process
- Relay state mail and lawsuits fast enough that the LLC can respond before deadlines
Using your home address as agent address makes it part of the state record. Once it's listed, anyone running a Montana entity search can find it.
Our $99/year plan covers the agent role in Montana. List us on the form and your personal address never goes public.
Montana LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Montana?
$35 to the state, one of the cheapest formation fees in the country. Budget $20 a year for the annual report after that (the state is currently waiving the on-time fee through 2027).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Montana?
A handful of business days is the usual processing window in Montana.
Does Montana require an annual report?
Yes. $20, due April 15, filed online. On-time filings are fee-waived through 2027.
Do I need a registered agent for my Montana LLC?
Yes. An agent with an actual Montana address must be on file from formation onward, for the entire life of the LLC.
Can I form an LLC in Montana if I live in another state?
Yes. Residency isn't a Montana LLC requirement. You'll still need a Montana agent on file; our $99/year plan handles it.
File Your Montana LLC Today
Prefer to DIY? File directly through the Secretary of State's online portal; the state's charge is $35 and the agent requirement applies either way.
Our service plays the registered agent role for your Montana LLC. At $99/year, includes our Montana address on the filing, same-day mail scans, and compliance notifications.
Looking for the registered agent on its own? The stand-alone registered agent plan costs $99/year.
More to know about Montana LLCs or our agent service? Browse our FAQ or email us Monday through Friday.
Ready to file your Montana LLC?
$199 covers formation and filing; the Montana registered agent runs $99/year, billed on its own.