WEBVTT 00:00:00.159 --> 00:00:06.479 The 5 best registered agents in Montana in 2026 are Mainstay Filing, Northwest 00:00:06.530 --> 00:00:11.759 Registered Agent, Registered Agent MT.org, Bizee, and 00:00:11.829 --> 00:00:14.319 Montana Registered Agent.co. 00:00:14.319 --> 00:00:16.719 Welcome to The Business Formation Podcast. 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:20.799 Montana. What should a listener know first? 00:00:20.799 --> 00:00:23.919 Montana charges nothing to change your registered agent. 00:00:24.059 --> 00:00:28.639 And you can be your own agent, as long as you have a physical Montana address where 00:00:28.696 --> 00:00:29.839 papers can be served. 00:00:31.796 --> 00:00:33.359 What does the law say? 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:38.239 Montana follows the Model Registered Agents Act, in Title 35, chapter 7 of the state 00:00:38.319 --> 00:00:43.679 code. Every LLC needs a registered agent, and the Secretary of State's help center 00:00:43.727 --> 00:00:47.759 says the agent must be available during business hours to accept documents. 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:48.959 Who can serve? 00:00:48.959 --> 00:00:52.239 Montana sorts agents into two kinds. 00:00:52.319 --> 00:00:55.839 A commercial agent is a service listed with the Secretary of State. 00:00:56.119 --> 00:01:01.519 A noncommercial agent is anyone else, like you or a friend, as long as they have a 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:02.640 Montana address. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:04.160 What counts as an address? 00:01:04.160 --> 00:01:08.240 An actual street address or a rural route box number. 00:01:08.520 --> 00:01:13.200 A P.O. box can be the mailing address, but it can't be where the agent sits. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:17.360 Rural route box. That's a very Montana detail. 00:01:17.360 --> 00:01:23.800 It is, and it matters, because the filing asks for one of those two, not a mailbox. 00:01:23.800 --> 00:01:26.080 I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan. 00:01:26.080 --> 00:01:28.560 Thanks, Maya. Now the five. 00:01:30.105 --> 00:01:30.905 Number one? 00:01:30.905 --> 00:01:37.785 Mainstay Filing, $149 a year, and it renews at the same $149. 00:01:37.785 --> 00:01:39.225 What does that buy me? 00:01:39.225 --> 00:01:42.905 Its Montana address on the public record instead of yours. 00:01:43.145 --> 00:01:47.945 Served papers are scanned and uploaded the same business day, with no fee, and the 00:01:47.998 --> 00:01:50.985 first three government mailings each year are scanned free. 00:01:50.985 --> 00:01:53.465 And switching from my current agent? 00:01:53.465 --> 00:01:55.865 Mainstay files the change for you. 00:01:55.955 --> 00:01:59.545 Montana has no state fee for it, so there's nothing to pass along. 00:02:00.065 --> 00:02:01.225 The honest catch? 00:02:01.225 --> 00:02:07.225 If the lowest flat price is all you want, two agents on this list charge $99. 00:02:08.025 --> 00:02:09.065 Second? 00:02:09.065 --> 00:02:12.745 Northwest Registered Agent, $125 a year. 00:02:12.845 --> 00:02:17.945 Its page says the price hasn't changed in 20 years, and it scans up to 10 pieces of 00:02:17.995 --> 00:02:19.945 regular business mail a year for free. 00:02:19.945 --> 00:02:20.745 The catch? 00:02:20.745 --> 00:02:26.025 Signing up automatically enrolls you in its annual report filing service. 00:02:26.105 --> 00:02:31.305 That's $100 plus state fees per filing, until you cancel it. 00:02:31.305 --> 00:02:32.505 Is that worth keeping? 00:02:32.505 --> 00:02:37.545 Montana's state fee is waived for on-time reports right now, so look at what you'd 00:02:37.572 --> 00:02:39.545 be paying for before you leave it on. 00:02:40.678 --> 00:02:42.117 Third? 00:02:42.117 --> 00:02:49.078 Registered Agent MT.org, $99 a year, and still $99 at renewal. 00:02:49.258 --> 00:02:53.878 You get the office address on your filings, same-day scanning of legal mail, and 00:02:53.934 --> 00:02:55.558 reminders for state deadlines. 00:02:55.558 --> 00:02:56.598 Switching? 00:02:56.598 --> 00:02:58.518 Costs no state fee. 00:02:58.518 --> 00:02:59.958 Any catch? 00:02:59.958 --> 00:03:03.318 Annual report filing is a separate service. 00:03:03.425 --> 00:03:05.238 It isn't in the $99. 00:03:05.238 --> 00:03:07.078 Compared with number one? 00:03:07.078 --> 00:03:11.318 $50 less a year, $150 across three. 00:03:12.086 --> 00:03:13.126 Four? 00:03:13.126 --> 00:03:19.926 Bizee, formerly Incfile. Free the first year with any formation package, then $149 a 00:03:20.006 --> 00:03:20.406 year. 00:03:20.406 --> 00:03:21.606 Fine print? 00:03:21.606 --> 00:03:25.286 The free year needs a formation order, and the renewal is automatic. 00:03:25.426 --> 00:03:30.726 Its policy says auto renew fees can't be reversed once they're charged. 00:03:30.726 --> 00:03:32.646 And if I'd formed my company already? 00:03:32.646 --> 00:03:36.566 You'd start at $149, the same as Mainstay. 00:03:36.706 --> 00:03:39.606 Two years is $298. 00:03:40.886 --> 00:03:41.766 And five? 00:03:41.766 --> 00:03:47.766 Montana Registered Agent.co, a flat $99, no change at renewal. 00:03:47.899 --> 00:03:52.886 It covers a Montana address on your filings, same-day scanning and reminders. 00:03:52.886 --> 00:03:54.086 Like number three? 00:03:54.086 --> 00:04:00.326 On the listings, yes. Same price, and the same catch: annual report filing is a 00:04:00.370 --> 00:04:01.526 separate service. 00:04:02.295 --> 00:04:04.775 Where does the agent go when I form the LLC? 00:04:04.775 --> 00:04:07.415 In your Articles of Organization. 00:04:07.543 --> 00:04:11.655 They're filed online only, and the fee is $35. 00:04:11.655 --> 00:04:12.695 What goes on the form? 00:04:12.695 --> 00:04:14.935 For a commercial agent, the agent's name. 00:04:15.075 --> 00:04:19.016 For a noncommercial one, the name and the Montana address. 00:04:19.016 --> 00:04:20.696 Does the agent have to sign anything? 00:04:20.696 --> 00:04:24.776 No. Montana has no separate consent form. 00:04:24.890 --> 00:04:28.217 Naming the agent is your affirmation that they agreed. 00:04:29.390 --> 00:04:32.616 So you could name someone who never said yes. 00:04:32.616 --> 00:04:38.217 On paper, yes. The Secretary of State notifies the agent about filings that name 00:04:38.249 --> 00:04:40.377 them, but get a yes first. 00:04:44.444 --> 00:04:46.044 How do I change it later? 00:04:46.044 --> 00:04:47.804 In the Business Filing Portal. 00:04:47.864 --> 00:04:53.964 You sign in, open your business, choose Filing Actions, and pick Registered Agent or 00:04:54.044 --> 00:04:55.884 Office Change by Entity. 00:04:55.884 --> 00:04:57.324 What's the fee? 00:04:57.324 --> 00:05:01.964 None. The fee sheet says no fee for a statement of change. 00:05:01.964 --> 00:05:03.884 Do my members have to approve it? 00:05:03.884 --> 00:05:09.324 No. The statute says the interest holders or governors need not approve the filing. 00:05:09.324 --> 00:05:10.924 When does it take effect? 00:05:10.924 --> 00:05:17.804 On filing. And if you're in a hurry, the state sells faster handling: $20 for 24 00:05:17.871 --> 00:05:21.084 hours, or $100 for one hour. 00:05:21.294 --> 00:05:23.644 Can the annual report change it too? 00:05:23.644 --> 00:05:28.124 Yes, the annual report can update your agent, but don't wait for it. 00:05:28.840 --> 00:05:30.200 What if my agent quits? 00:05:30.200 --> 00:05:33.560 The agent files a statement of resignation with the Secretary of State. 00:05:33.773 --> 00:05:36.280 We found no fee listed for it. 00:05:36.280 --> 00:05:38.040 When does it take effect? 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:41.960 On the 31st day after filing, or sooner if you appoint a new agent. 00:05:41.960 --> 00:05:43.800 Do they have to warn me? 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:49.320 Yes. The agent has to promptly tell your LLC the date the statement was filed. 00:05:49.448 --> 00:05:50.600 That's your clock. 00:05:51.373 --> 00:05:54.359 So thirty-one days to find someone. 00:05:54.359 --> 00:05:58.200 Use them. Name the replacement in the portal before the date arrives. 00:05:59.518 --> 00:06:01.678 What happens with no agent at all? 00:06:01.678 --> 00:06:07.118 If an LLC has none, or its agent can't be served with reasonable diligence, it can 00:06:07.145 --> 00:06:09.678 be served under the regular court rules. 00:06:09.678 --> 00:06:11.518 Does the state do anything? 00:06:11.518 --> 00:06:16.238 After 60 days without an agent, the Secretary of State can involuntarily dissolve 00:06:16.258 --> 00:06:21.838 the LLC. The same 60 days applies if you change agents and never file the statement 00:06:21.865 --> 00:06:22.398 of change. 00:06:23.070 --> 00:06:24.318 That one's easy to forget. 00:06:24.318 --> 00:06:28.558 It is, and it's the reason to file the change the day you switch. 00:06:29.276 --> 00:06:30.796 What does Montana want each year? 00:06:30.796 --> 00:06:34.636 An annual report, filed from January 1 to April 15. 00:06:34.849 --> 00:06:36.996 It lists your registered agent. 00:06:36.996 --> 00:06:38.396 What does it cost? 00:06:38.396 --> 00:06:44.156 The standard fee is $20, but the state is waiving it for on-time reports in 2026 and 00:06:44.316 --> 00:06:49.476 2027. After April 15, the fee is $35. 00:06:49.476 --> 00:06:51.916 So the deadline matters even when it's free. 00:06:51.916 --> 00:06:56.876 It does. A free filing that you miss turns into a $35 one. 00:06:56.876 --> 00:06:58.636 And the agent plans? 00:06:58.636 --> 00:07:02.716 Mainstay and the $99 agents don't file it for you. 00:07:02.820 --> 00:07:07.196 Northwest's service does, which is where that $100 comes in. 00:07:08.692 --> 00:07:10.532 Can I be my own agent in Montana? 00:07:10.532 --> 00:07:17.252 Yes. The help center lists it as an option: you, a Montana resident, or a service. 00:07:17.465 --> 00:07:22.292 It costs nothing, and you don't need to be a resident, just have a physical Montana 00:07:22.352 --> 00:07:22.852 address. 00:07:22.852 --> 00:07:23.812 What's the tradeoff? 00:07:23.812 --> 00:07:28.292 Your address goes on the public record, and you have to be there during business 00:07:28.372 --> 00:07:29.092 hours. 00:07:29.092 --> 00:07:31.492 If I'm out on a job site or a ranch? 00:07:31.492 --> 00:07:35.652 Then papers can miss you. That's the case for handing it off. 00:07:36.877 --> 00:07:39.117 How would a Billings or Missoula owner decide? 00:07:39.117 --> 00:07:44.797 Three questions. Does the price hold, is there a real Montana address, and who files 00:07:44.817 --> 00:07:45.997 the change when you switch. 00:07:45.997 --> 00:07:47.277 And your answer? 00:07:47.277 --> 00:07:52.797 Mainstay Filing. Our pick for Montana, at $149 a year. 00:07:53.887 --> 00:07:55.086 All five, once more? 00:07:55.086 --> 00:08:00.367 One, Mainstay Filing: $149, same at renewal. 00:08:00.527 --> 00:08:05.807 Two, Northwest: $125, with the report service to cancel. 00:08:06.007 --> 00:08:11.807 Three, Registered Agent MT.org: $99 flat. 00:08:12.095 --> 00:08:19.087 Four, Bizee: free the first year with a formation order, then $149. 00:08:19.359 --> 00:08:25.967 Five, Montana Registered Agent.co: $99 flat. 00:08:25.967 --> 00:08:27.527 The links are in the show notes. 00:08:27.578 --> 00:08:30.287 Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast.