Montana Secretary of State
Form your Montana LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit with chat-first AI business formation. State filing, registered agent, EIN, and ongoing compliance workflows — connected from the start.
Montana Business Filing Overview
The Secretary of State — Business Services is the state authority responsible for registering LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and other business entities in Montana. The standard LLC formation fee is $70 with a processing time of 7-10 days. Filing must be done by mail.
Montana Entity Requirements
State-specific governance rules for Montana LLCs, Corporations, and Nonprofits.
Members
| Residency required | No |
|---|
Management Structure
| Default | Member Managed |
|---|
Member-managed unless the articles designate the LLC as manager-managed; the articles must identify the selected management structure.
Operating Agreement
| Required to file | No |
|---|
All members may enter an operating agreement; it need not be written unless another statutory provision requires a writing.
Annual Meeting
| Required | No |
|---|
No statutory annual meeting requirement for LLCs
Formation Filings in Montana
These are the primary documents filed with the Secretary of State — Business Services to create a new legal entity. Each entity type has different requirements, fees, and processing times.
Articles of Incorporation
Corporation| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $70 |
| Processing Time: | 7-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Includes authorized shares and par value
- Names the registered agent
- Sets the corporation's purpose
Articles of Organization
LLC| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $70 |
| Processing Time: | 7-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Names the registered agent and required filing contact information
- Sets the registered office address
- May include an optional effective date
Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit)
Nonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $20 |
| Processing Time: | 7-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Public benefit purpose statement required
- Asset dedication language for IRS
- Members or directors structure
Foreign Qualification
LLCCorporation| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $70 |
| Processing Time: | 7-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Required when operating, hiring employees, or owning property in another state
- Needs Certificate of Good Standing from home state
- Creates registered agent and annual report obligations in the new state
Ongoing Compliance in Montana
After formation, Montana entities must maintain ongoing filings to remain in good standing. Missing deadlines can result in late fees, administrative dissolution, and loss of liability protection.
Annual Report
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $15 |
| Processing Time: | 7-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
| Due Date: | April 15 |
| Filing Period: | Annual |
What to know
- Due date varies by state (often anniversary date or fixed month)
- Filing fees range $10–$825 by state
- Failure to file results in administrative dissolution
Amendment to Formation Documents
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $15 |
| Processing Time: | 7-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Board or member approval typically required
- Certified copy may be needed for banks and contracts
- Most states allow online amendment filing
Articles of Dissolution
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $15 |
| Processing Time: | 7-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
| Tax Clearance: | Not required |
What to know
- May require tax clearance before filing
- Assets must be distributed before dissolution
- Protects against future liability claims
Change of Registered Agent
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $15 |
| Processing Time: | 7-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Must be maintained at all times
- Registered agent must be available during business hours
- Can be an individual or registered agent service
Document Retrieval in Montana
Certified documents from the Secretary of State — Business Services are often required by banks, investors, lenders, and for foreign qualification in other states.
Certificate of Good Standing
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $10 |
| Processing Time: | 5-7 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Required by most banks when opening accounts
- Needed for foreign qualification in other states
- Typically valid for 30–90 days
Apostille
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $10 |
| Processing Time: | 5-10 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Required for international business expansion
- Issued by Secretary of State office
- Attaches to formation documents and good standing certificates
Montana Tax Snapshot
Understanding Montana's tax environment is critical for choosing the right formation state and planning your entity's ongoing obligations.
Montana has no sales tax. Individual income tax rates range from 1–6.75%. Corporate income tax 6.75%. Montana is one of only five states with no sales tax.
Montana Agency Directory
Key government agencies for Montana business formation, tax registration, and employer compliance.
Secretary of State — Business Services
Primary filing authority for Montana business entities
Montana Department of Revenue
Income tax, withholding, business registration
Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Unemployment insurance, employer registration
Form your Montana entity today.
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