Montana LLC Cost

The minimum cost to form an LLC in Montana is $35, which covers the filing fee for submitting your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.

However, the total cost of forming a Montana LLC can vary depending on your specific business needs and preferences.

In this Montana LLC Cost guide, we’ll provide a detailed overview of all the expenses associated with forming and maintaining an LLC in Montana.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Montana 

Below is a summary of the main requirements and associated fees for forming an LLC in Montana.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$35-$70+
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$30

Montana LLC Filing Fee ($35-$70+)

To officially register your LLC in Montana, you must file the necessary formation documents with the Secretary of State. 

For domestic LLCs (i.e., LLCs that will be based in Montana) this means filing the Articles of Organization, while foreign LLCs must submit a Certificate of Authority instead.

The filing fees are as follows:

• Domestic LLCs: $35 for online submissions and $70 for mail submissions.
• Foreign LLCs: $70 for online submissions; mail submissions are not available.

If you choose to use a professional LLC formation service, the overall cost will be slightly higher, as it will include Montana’s state filing fee plus a small service fee. 

LLC formation services can start as low as $0, but can go into the several hundreds depending on the features you want and the provider you go with. 

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024. 

Montana Registered Agent ($0+)

When forming your LLC in Montana, you must designate a registered agent in order to receive legal, tax, and governmental correspondence on behalf of your business.

While you can serve as your own registered agent at no cost, many business owners prefer to hire a professional registered agent service. 

This helps ensure compliance with state regulations and keeps your personal information private, as you’ll be able to use the service’s business address instead of your personal one. 

Professional registered agent services in Montana typically charge around $130+ per year, but this will of course depend on the provider you choose. 

Montana LLC Name ($0-$30)

While the process of naming your Montana LLC doesn’t incur a direct cost, there are two potential expenses to be aware of.

Reserving a Name

If you’ve chosen a name but aren’t ready to form your LLC immediately, you can reserve the name by submitting a Reservation of Name form online through the Montana Secretary of State’s Online Business Services platform. 

The fee for reserving a name is $10; this will secure the name for 120 days. 

It’s advisable to check the availability of your desired name by using the Montana Business Search tool before submitting your reservation.

You will also need to conduct a domain search in order to ensure that your desired name is available as a URL (for your business website). 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If your LLC plans to operate under a different name from its legal entity name, you’ll need to file for a DBA name, which is also known as an Assumed Business Name in Montana. 

You can do this online through the state's Online Business Services portal for a small fee of $20. 

Note: In Montana, DBAs must be renewed every five years.

Optional Montana LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard formation costs, there are several additional expenses that Montana LLCs may encounter based on their individual circumstances. 

Montana LLC Operating Agreement

While not legally required, it’s highly recommended that you draft an operating agreement for your LLC.

This is a document that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and ownership structure of the LLC’s members or managers, which can help avert potential disputes in the future. 

Did you know?

Creating an operating agreement is recommended even as a single member LLC. This is because it can serve as proof that you are treating your LLC as a separate legal entity to yourself, which safeguards your corporate veil and limited liability protections. 

You can draft the operating agreement yourself at no cost, or hire an attorney or LLC formation service to create one for you, which typically costs a few hundred dollars. 

Expedited Montana LLC Filing

The Montana Secretary of State offers expedited filing options if you need your LLC’s formation documents to be processed more quickly. T

Two options are available: 

• 24-Hour Processing: $20
• 1-Hour Processing: $100

Keep in mind that these expedited fees need to be paid in addition to the standard filing fees.

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your LLC’s specific location and the nature of its business activities, you may be required to obtain a local business license. 

This is because, while most cities and counties in Montana do not mandate a general business license, certain activities may necessitate specific licenses or permits.

For instance, in the city of Columbia Falls, a general business license is required, which costs $40 annually. 

If your LLC is home-based in Cut Bank, the licensing fees may vary significantly, ranging from $10 to $400 depending on the number of full-time employees you have. 

Note: You can use the Montana League of Cities and Towns’ Municipal Directory to find the contact information of your local officials and enquire about the specific licensing requirements in your area.

Certificate of Existence

A Montana Certificate of Existence is often required for various business purposes, such as opening a business bank account or securing a loan. 

This certificate verifies that your LLC is properly registered and authorized to conduct business in Montana.

You can request a Certificate of Existence online through the Montana Secretary of State’s Online Business Services system for a $5 fee.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Montana LLC

In addition to the initial formation costs, there are several potential ongoing expenses associated with maintaining an LLC in Montana.

Annual Report

All Montana LLCs must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State in order to keep their business information up-to-date. Starting in 2024, the Annual Report can be filed for free if submitted by April 15.

Late submissions will incur a $35 filing fee.

Note: Foreign LLCs will need to file a Certificate of Authorization instead. 

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you continue using a professional registered agent service, you’ll need to pay an annual fee, which typically costs between $125 and $300 per year (after the first year post formation). 

If you choose to operate as your own registered agent, this maintenance cost will not apply to your business, although this is seldom recommended for new business owners.  

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Montana LLC vs Other States

Montana is considered a cost-effective state for forming and maintaining an LLC, with a modest $35 filing fee and no annual report fee if filed on time. 

This makes it an attractive option for entrepreneurs seeking affordability and straightforward compliance.

In comparison, states like Delaware have higher initial filing fees and an annual franchise tax of $300.

Regardless, it’s important to understand that the best state to form your LLC in is generally almost always the state in which you will be conducting the majority of your business. 

This is because this ensures that you will only need to adhere to one state’s regulations.