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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 1 · Montana

Montana LLC Formation Chapter (2026): 7 Sections and the 3 Best LLC Services

Montana readers who want help forming an LLC in 2026 should look at Mainstay Filing ($199), Montana Registered Agent.co ($199) and Registered Agent MT.org ($199), in the order given. Formation in Montana comes to 7 sections and a $35 state fee, plus $20 for the annual report.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Key facts for this chapter

Fee to form $35 sosmt.gov (edition of October 2026)
Annual report $20 a year Due date as the state words it: April 15
Three years of state fees $75 State charges only
Section count 7 Taken one at a time

You will be able to explain

  • What Montana charges to form an LLC and where the filing goes
  • What the registered agent rule requires
  • What is filed every year afterward
  • The recommendations and their reasons

Montana: the ranked services

Cost over three years comes first, then paperwork completed, second-year price, Montana fit and price clarity (grading page).

1. Mainstay Filing: best for a first year with little paperwork

Highest ranked
$199 annually and the $35 state fee

This chapter recommends Mainstay Filing above the others, because the textbook price of $199 a year includes filing, a registered agent and the annual report, with no change at renewal.

Three years cost $200 more than Montana Registered Agent.co, yet this service completes more of the paperwork, and the ranking weighs that.

The annual report is handled too, with Montana's $20 added at cost.

Price covers

  • The filing is made for you
  • Registered agent for the full year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application is part of the price
  • State fee passed through at cost

Advantages

  • No added charge for the EIN application
  • No increase at renewal ($199)
  • $199 a year covers filing, agent and report

Limitations

  • Montana Registered Agent.co renews for $100 less
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Montana Registered Agent.co: best for owners who intend to stay in Montana

Single-state plan
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Entry number 2 is Montana Registered Agent.co, where a formation charge of $199 above state fees, and an agent renewal of $99.

Preparing the annual report every year is still left to you.

Price covers

  • Formation paperwork completed
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $99 a year after that
  • Year-one agent service at no added cost
  • $199 plus the state fee

Limitations

  • No service for the annual report is offered
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra
Visit Montana Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. Registered Agent MT.org: best for a local filer

Single-state plan
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Entry number 3 is Registered Agent MT.org, where a formation charge of $199 above state fees, and an agent renewal of $99.

Preparing the annual report every year is still left to you.

It charges exactly what Montana Registered Agent.co charges.

Price covers

  • Formation paperwork completed
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $99 a year after that
  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Year-one agent service at no added cost

Limitations

  • No service for the annual report is offered
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra
Visit Registered Agent MT.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Rankings and prices together

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Montana Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397 Visit Montana Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 Registered Agent MT.org $199$99/yr$397 Visit Registered Agent MT.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices come from each company's own site, consulted November 13, 2026. Every row also owes the $35 state fee.

Formation in sequence

  1. Section 1

    Settle on the legal name

    The records at the Montana Secretary of State show every name in use. Look yours up before preparing any forms, because Montana can refuse a duplicate.

    Consider whether a matching web address is available too.

  2. Section 2

    Arrange the registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual, including an owner, or an entity in Montana.

    The address has to be an actual street address or rural route box number in Montana. A P.O. box alone is not enough.

    Providing the registered agent is part of what each recommended service sells.

    Reference: mca.legmt.gov (edition of October 2026)

  3. Section 3

    Who prepares the filing

    Without a service the charge is the state's $35. With a recommended service it grows by $199.

  4. Section 4

    Your paperwork here is the Articles of Organization

    This section is the legal act that creates the company: the Articles of Organization goes to the Montana Secretary of State, accompanied by $35 (Mont. Code Ann. § 35-8-201).

    Reference: sosmt.gov (edition of October 2026)

  5. Section 5

    Obtain an EIN

    Once Montana approves the filing, the LLC applies to the IRS for an Employer Identification Number, which banks and payroll services require. This section is inside the Mainstay Filing package.

  6. Section 6

    Write the operating agreement

    Ownership and management rules belong in the operating agreement, an internal record that is separate from the Montana filing.

  7. Section 7

    Maintain good standing in Montana

    Calendar entry for the owner: the annual report, at $20, every year, due April 15. Lateness is penalized at $15.

    Reference: sosmt.gov (edition of October 2026)

Costs section by section

ItemGoes toAmount
Creating the LLC State agency$35
Annual report State agency$20 every year
Late filing State agency$15
Paid assistance Service$199 at the start
State total over three years State agency$75

State fees come from the official pages in the bibliography. Over three years they consist of the filing, two reports and, in a few states, a minimum tax.

How the Montana recommendations were ranked

Chapters the price completes accounts for 30% of the ranking, and led on it in Montana.

A price that covers the annual report counted for more than Montana Registered Agent.co's lower three-year total.

Montana questions

How much does it cost to file a new LLC in Montana?

Expect to pay $35 to file. On top of the state fee, the ranked services bill $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

Section 4 explains how to complete the Articles of Organization and where it is sent: the Montana Secretary of State.

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

What does Montana require each year?

Montana requires the annual report every year, at $20, with timing described as April 15.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

A service is optional. Owners may file by paying $35 as long as they appoint a registered agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Mainstay Filing, because $199 per year takes care of three chapters at once: formation, registered agent and the annual report. After it come Montana Registered Agent.co and Registered Agent MT.org.

Next chapter

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Bibliography entry for the Montana Secretary of State fee page and fee chapter: sosmt.gov, consulted October 2026.
  2. Bibliography entry for the Montana yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source chapter: sosmt.gov, consulted October 2026.
  3. Bibliography entry for the Montana yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source chapter: sosmt.gov, consulted October 2026.
  4. Bibliography entry for the Montana report due date chapter: mca.legmt.gov, consulted August 2026.
  5. Bibliography entry for the Mont chapter: mca.legmt.gov, consulted August 2026.
  6. Bibliography entry for the Montana formation fee: Filing fee, official source chapter: sosmt.gov, consulted October 2026.
  7. Bibliography entry for the Montana registered agent statute chapter: mca.legmt.gov, consulted October 2026.
  8. Mainstay Filing, Montana service page: consulted November 13, 2026
  9. Montana Registered Agent.co, pricing page: consulted November 13, 2026
  10. Registered Agent MT.org, pricing page: consulted November 13, 2026