Step 1 · Form the entity
How to form an LLC in Montana
File a Montana LLC through the Secretary of State Business Filing Portal. Articles of Organization are $35; annual report fees are waived January 1–April 15 and $35 after April 15.
This page is for a person who lives in Montana, will do the work in Montana, and is choosing between remaining a sole proprietor and filing a domestic Montana LLC. Compare the structures on LLC vs sole proprietorship.
Short version for 2026: file the Articles of Organization through the official Montana Secretary of State filing path, expect $35, use the Montana registered agent, then calendar the recurring filing: $0 between January 1 and April 15; $35 after April 15. Pay what the official portal shows and keep the receipt.
At a glance: Montana LLC fees
- Formation: $35
- Recurring state filing: $0 between January 1 and April 15; $35 after April 15
- Timing: Domestic annual reports are due December 1; the Secretary of State waives the fee for filings from January 1 through April 15 and lists $35 after April 15
DIY or a formation shop. The walkthrough on this page is for Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company. If you would rather pay a shop to handle the filing paperwork, compare these:
| Service | Best for |
|---|---|
| Swyft Filings | Fast online filing with compliance reminders |
| Bizee | Budget-minded formation packages |
| Zenind | Formation bundled with registered agent |
| MyCompanyWorks | Simple, no-frills formation filing |
| MyCorporation | LLC formation plus DBA, EIN and registered agent add-ons |
| CorpNet | Formation packages with a year of registered agent and EIN bundled |
| BizFilings | Established filing service (Wolters Kluwer) |
| doola | Non-US founders forming a US LLC |
| Harbor Compliance | Registered agent and multi-state compliance |
| Business Anywhere | Registered agent + virtual business mailbox |
| ZenBusiness | All-in-one formation packages |
Prices, registered agent renewals, and checkout traps side by side: LLC formation services compared by fit.
Optional branches (not always required to file)
File in Montana if the work is in Montana
A domestic Montana LLC starts with the Articles of Organization filed with the Montana Secretary of State. A company formed somewhere else that transacts business in Montana uses a different foreign-registration process; see Foreign LLC and certificate of authority.
Have a distinguishable LLC name, principal-office information, the Montana registered agent, and the organizer or authorized signature details requested by the current state form. Keep the operating agreement with the company records rather than filing it unless the state says otherwise.
What to have ready
- A distinguishable LLC name with an allowed identifier. Search the state entity database before filing.
- Principal office and mailing information, plus the information the current Articles of Organization form requests.
- Montana registered agent information accepted by the state filing path.
- Organizer, payment method, and the published formation fee: $35.
File through the official Montana path
Start with the official state page in the Sources section. Select the domestic LLC formation path, enter the entity details, review the current fee total, and save the acceptance. The state’s form and checkout screen control any processor, expedited-review, or other line item not listed here.
DIY or a formation shop. The walkthrough on this page is for Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company. If you would rather pay a shop to handle the filing paperwork, compare these:
| Service | Best for |
|---|---|
| Swyft Filings | Fast online filing with compliance reminders |
| Bizee | Budget-minded formation packages |
| Zenind | Formation bundled with registered agent |
| MyCompanyWorks | Simple, no-frills formation filing |
| MyCorporation | LLC formation plus DBA, EIN and registered agent add-ons |
| CorpNet | Formation packages with a year of registered agent and EIN bundled |
| BizFilings | Established filing service (Wolters Kluwer) |
| doola | Non-US founders forming a US LLC |
| Harbor Compliance | Registered agent and multi-state compliance |
| Business Anywhere | Registered agent + virtual business mailbox |
| ZenBusiness | All-in-one formation packages |
Prices, registered agent renewals, and checkout traps side by side: LLC formation services compared by fit.
After the Articles of Organization is filed
The state filing creates the entity record. It does not replace separate licensing, account, payroll, or local requirements that may apply to the business. After acceptance, obtain the EIN, keep the acceptance with the company records, and use the state’s current instructions for follow-on filings.
Next: the money path. After the Articles of Organization is accepted:
- Get an EIN — free on IRS.gov after the state entity exists
- Open business checking — park operating cash in the LLC’s name
- First brokerage — only if the work needs one
Full first-30-days desk list: After you form an LLC. Setup overview on the setup checklist. Formation shops, if you want one instead of DIY, stay in the callout above.
Recurring filing
Montana requires the recurring filing described above. Check the official state portal for the entity’s exact deadline, status, and current total before paying. Keep the Montana registered agent and principal-office information current. Cross-state renewals: LLC annual report and annual registration.
Montana LLC FAQ
- How much does it cost to form an LLC in Montana?
- The Montana Secretary of State fee table lists domestic LLC Articles of Organization at $35. A series LLC has an additional $50 for each series member named; pay what the current portal shows.
- Does a Montana LLC file an annual report?
- Yes. Montana requires an annual report. Domestic entities are due by December 1. The Secretary of State says the fee is waived for reports filed January 1 through April 15 and is $35 after April 15.
- Does a Montana LLC need a registered agent?
- Use a Montana registered agent and the address the current Articles of Organization form accepts. Compare DIY and commercial options: Registered agent basics for a new LLC.
- Should I form in Wyoming or Delaware if I live and work in Montana?
- For a one-state operator who lives and works in Montana, domestic Montana filing is the straightforward default. An out-of-state LLC doing business in Montana may need a Certificate of Authority, a Montana agent, and another renewal calendar. See Foreign LLC and certificate of authority.
- Do I get an EIN before or after filing the Montana LLC?
- After the Articles of Organization are accepted. The IRS application is free on IRS.gov. Walkthrough: Get an EIN after the state entity exists.
What this page does not cover
- Professional, series, nonprofit, or specialized LLC filings beyond the standard domestic path.
- Local licenses, sales-tax registration, employer accounts, or industry-specific approvals.
- Foreign qualification beyond the overview linked above.
- Voluntary dissolution or reinstatement; confirm the current state filing path before submitting either.
Sources
- Montana Secretary of State — Business Services Filing Fees (domestic LLC Articles of Organization $35; annual report waived through April 15; $35 after) — as of 23 September 2026
- Montana Secretary of State — Forms (Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company) — as of 23 September 2026
- Montana Secretary of State — How to Register a Business (Business Filing Portal) — as of 23 September 2026
- Montana Secretary of State Help Center — Annual reports (domestic due December 1; fee timing) — as of 23 September 2026
- IRS — Get an employer identification number (EIN is free; form the state entity first) — as of 23 September 2026