How to Start an LLC in Montana (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Montana, you file Articles of Organization online with the Montana Secretary of State, and the fee is $35.

Maya Online, as in I can't mail it?

Dan Right. Montana is online only. Paper forms aren't accepted.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Montana for 2026, step by step, with what it all costs, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we start?

0:28 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan The name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like LLC or LC.

Maya And it can't copy another business?

Dan It must be distinguishable from the names on record. The Secretary of State has a free business search, so start there.

Maya Can I hold a name for a while?

Dan Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days, and it's $10.

0:52 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my agent in Montana?

Dan A commercial registered agent, or a person or business with an actual street address in Montana.

Maya What does naming one actually do?

Dan It confirms that the agent has agreed to serve.

Maya Is it public?

Dan The address is, yes. That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

Maya And switching later?

Dan Changing agents in Montana is free.

1:19 Step 3: File Articles of Organization

Maya How do I file?

Dan Through the Secretary of State's Business Filing Portal. The fee is $35.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Good to meet you, Maya. The Articles ask for the name, a mailing address, and your registered agent.

Maya Anything about who runs it?

Dan Yes. Whether members or managers run the LLC, and their names.

Maya What if I'm in a hurry?

Dan Faster review is available. Priority handling in 24 hours is $20, and a one-hour expedite is $100.

1:53 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does Montana keep a copy of my operating agreement?

Dan No. You hold onto it. It isn't filed, and there's no fee.

Maya Why write one then?

Dan Because it's binding on all the members.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens when a member leaves.

2:13 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What comes next on the federal side?

Dan An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state approves your Articles.

Maya Is it quick?

Dan If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

2:42 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What does Montana want after I form?

Dan An annual report, between January 1 and April 15 each year. The first one is due the year after you form.

Maya What does it cost?

Dan Filed on time, the fee is currently waived. After April 15, it's $35.

Maya And if I ignore it?

Dan By fall, the LLC is in default.

Maya Is that the end?

Dan Not yet. If it isn't fixed within 90 days of the notice, the LLC is involuntarily dissolved.

3:14 What it costs

Maya What's the do-it-yourself number?

Dan $35 to file your Articles.

Maya And year two?

Dan The annual report fee is waived if you file by April 15. The EIN is free too.

Maya Optional costs?

Dan A $10 name reservation, and the faster review, at $20 or $100.

Maya And the all-in first year, with no extras?

Dan Just $35.

Maya What's the most I'd pay for speed?

Dan $35 plus the $100 one-hour expedite is $135.

3:49 Online only

Maya Let me press on the paper question. Is it truly impossible?

Dan Montana's help center explains it. The state is online only, and paper forms aren't accepted.

Maya So there's no choice to make.

Dan Right. The portal is the one route.

Maya Then the real choice is speed.

Dan Yes. Standard, 24-hour priority at $20, or the one-hour expedite at $100.

4:14 Choosing your agent

Maya Back to the agent. Could I be my own?

Dan If you have an actual street address in Montana, a person qualifies.

Maya Any catch?

Dan The address becomes public.

Maya And a commercial agent?

Dan Then it's the business's address on the record, not yours.

Maya What about changing agents later?

Dan Free. That's a nice feature of Montana.

4:35 Why the annual report matters

Maya The fee is waived on time. Do I still need to care?

Dan Absolutely. The deadline is April 15 every year, starting the year after you form.

Maya And after April 15?

Dan The report costs $35.

Maya What about the bigger consequences?

Dan A report left unfiled puts you in default, and then involuntary dissolution if it isn't fixed within 90 days of the notice.

Maya So filing on time is both free and safe.

Dan That's the whole point.

5:04 What the Articles ask for

Maya Remind me what's on the form.

Dan The LLC's name, a mailing address, and your registered agent.

Maya And the management part?

Dan Whether members or managers run it, along with their names.

Maya Short and simple.

Dan Yes. Settle your name and your agent, and you can file in one sitting.

5:21 Fixing a lapse

Maya Say I let the annual report slide. What does recovery cost?

Dan Reinstatement has a base fee of $35, and another $35 for each year you missed.

Maya So it adds up.

Dan It does. Two missed years would be $35 base plus $70, for $105.

Maya Versus filing on time?

Dan Free, while the waiver lasts.

Maya And the notice period?

Dan You get 90 days from the notice to fix a default before the LLC is involuntarily dissolved.

Maya So a free filing beats a $105 repair.

Dan By a wide margin.

5:58 First-year checklist

Maya Order of operations?

Dan Search the name. Pick your agent. File your Articles through the portal for $35. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The annual report, between January 1 and April 15, starting next year.

Maya Anything people tend to forget?

Dan Having the details ready. The Articles ask for a mailing address, your agent, and the names of the members or managers.

Maya So gather those before you open the portal.

Dan Exactly. Then the filing itself goes quickly.

6:31 The 3 best ways to file in Montana

Maya What if I'd rather someone else files?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Montana. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $35 state fee, checkout comes to $234.

Maya What's in it?

Dan Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan Mainstay files it by April 15 every year, while the on-time fee waiver applies.

Maya Number two?

Dan Registered Agent MT.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $234 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Montana Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How do I choose?

Dan Montana's on-time annual report is currently free. So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

7:54 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya That's $200 apart.

Dan Yes. With Mainstay, the extra covers your annual report being filed on time each year.

8:20 Recap

Maya One more time, quickly?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a Montana street address, file your Articles online for $35, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your annual report by April 15 every year.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Montana LLC.