Hire a Registered Agent in Montana
LLC Register serves as your Montana registered agent, scans legal documents same-day and keeps your LLC in good standing. LLC Register is the most affordable registered agent service in Montana — get a free LLC and annual compliance with your plan.
Montana Registered Agent
- Montana Registered Agent
- $99 per year
- Montana Street Address
- Free
- Same-Day Legal Mail Scan
- Free
- Montana LLC Formation
- Free
- Annual Compliance
- Free
Transparent Cost Guide to hire a Montana Registered Agent with LLC Register
Every fee, line by line. State filing fees are passed through at cost; there is nothing else to add at checkout.
| Service | LLC Register fee | Montana state fee | Estimated total | One-time or annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Montana registered agent service | $99 | $0 | $99 | Annual |
Signed consent to serve kept on file | $0 | $0 | $0 | Free |
Same-day scan of legal mail | $0 | $0 | $0 | Free |
Montana LLC formation (certificate of organization) | $0 | $0 | $0 | One-time |
Montana LLC compliance (annual report) | $0 | $20 | $20 | Annual |
Montana state filing fee | $0 | $35 | $35 | One-time |
LLC Register serves as your Montana registered agent for $99 a year: a physical Montana street address, signed consent to serve kept on file, and same-day scans of any legal or state mail we receive for your LLC, corporation or limited partnership. Also, all registered agent services include a free LLC and free annual compliance.
Comprehensive 10-Step Guide to Hire a Registered Agent in Montana
From checking the requirement to renewing every year, in the order you will do them.
Step 1 — Confirm you need a Montana registered agent
Every Montana LLC, corporation and limited partnership must appoint and keep a registered agent under the Model Registered Agents Act, Montana Code Annotated § 35-7-105. The agent is named on your formation document and stays on the state's public record.
Step 2 — Decide between being your own agent or hiring a service
You can serve as your own agent if you are a Montana resident with a Montana street address; most owners hire a service instead to keep that address off the public record and never miss a delivery.
Step 3 — Check the registered office address rule
The registered office must be an actual Montana street address or rural route box number, not a P.O. box, under MCA § 35-7-104, and someone must be able to accept delivery there.
Step 4 — Choose a Montana registered agent service
Compare the annual price, whether mail is scanned the same day it arrives, and whether the Statement of Change filing is included before you sign up.
Step 5 — Sign up and provide your entity details
Give your legal entity name, entity type and Montana business ID, if you already have one, so the agent can be listed correctly.
Step 6 — Confirm the agent's consent to serve
Under MCA § 35-7-105(2), naming a registered agent on a filing is itself an affirmation that the agent has consented to serve; Montana does not require a separate consent form filed with the state, but LLC Register keeps a signed acknowledgment on file.
Step 7 — List your registered agent on your formation document
A new LLC names its registered agent and registered office directly on its Articles of Organization, filed with the Montana Secretary of State for a $35 fee.
Step 8 — File a Statement of Change if you already have an entity
Existing LLCs switch agents by filing the Statement of Change of Registered Office, Agent, Both with the Montana Secretary of State's Business Services Division; the state charges no fee for this filing.
Step 9 — Confirm the change on the public record
Use the Montana Secretary of State's Business Search at biz.sosmt.gov to confirm your new registered agent is listed before your next annual report is due.
Step 10 — Keep your registered agent active every year
Montana can administratively dissolve an entity that fails to maintain a registered agent for 60 days (MCA § 35-8-209(1)(a)), so renew your agent service before it lapses.
Montana Registered Agent Facts Table
The official statute, fees and links for a Montana registered agent, each checked against the state agency.
Montana registered agent statute | Model Registered Agents Act, Montana Code Annotated §§ 35-7-101–117 |
|---|---|
Registered agent required | Yes — for LLCs, corporations and limited partnerships |
Who may serve as agent | A Montana resident with a Montana street address, or a commercial or noncommercial registered agent entity with a Montana address |
Registered office address rule | An actual Montana street address or rural route box number; no P.O. boxes (MCA § 35-7-104) |
Written consent required | Appointment itself affirms consent (MCA § 35-7-105(2)); no separate state-filed consent form |
Fee to change agent | $0 (Statement of Change of Registered Office, Agent, Both) |
Filing agency | Montana Secretary of State, Business Services Division |
Standard processing time | About 5–6 business days online; expedited processing available for $20 (24-hour) or $100 (1-hour) |
Penalty for no registered agent | Administrative dissolution after 60 days without a registered agent (MCA § 35-8-209(1)(a)) |
Recurring compliance filing | Annual Report, $20, due April 15 every year |
Montana business filings and registered agent search | biz.sosmt.gov/search/business |
Business name generator | swyftfilings.com/business-name-generator |
Virtual mailbox | snapmailbox.com |
Trademark registration | trademarkengine.com |
Free Trademark Search | trademarkengine.com/free-trademark-search |
Author: LLC RegisterLast reviewed 9/30/2026
Montana agency: Montana Secretary of StateLast reviewed 9/30/2026
Legal Requirements for a Montana Registered Agent
What Montana law requires of every registered agent, with the rule and the agency that enforces it.
An actual Montana street address
Every Montana entity's registered office must be an actual street address or rural route box number in Montana, not a P.O. box, under Montana Code Annotated § 35-7-104. The agent must be able to accept delivery there.
Who can serve as your agent
Under MCA § 35-7-105, the agent is either a commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State or a noncommercial registered agent — an individual or entity that maintains a Montana address matching the registered office.
Consent to serve
Naming a person or company as registered agent is itself an affirmation that the agent has consented to serve, under MCA § 35-7-105(2). Montana does not require a separate written consent form filed with the Secretary of State, unlike some states.
Accepting and forwarding legal notices
MCA § 35-7-114 limits the agent's job to forwarding any process, notice or demand served on the agent to the entity at the address the entity most recently supplied. The agent has no broader authority to act for the entity.
Reporting a change of agent
A change in registered agent or registered office is reported on the Statement of Change of Registered Office, Agent, Both, filed with the Montana Secretary of State's Business Services Division; the state charges no fee for this filing.
Maintaining an agent at all times
If an entity fails to appoint and maintain a registered agent in Montana for 60 days, the Secretary of State may administratively dissolve it under MCA § 35-8-209(1)(a).
Montana Registered Agent Service Cost Comparison
Published prices for a Montana registered agent service, compared line by line.
| What you pay for | LLC Register | LegalZoom | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|---|
LLC formation service | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Montana filing fee | $35 | $35 | $35 |
Registered agent, first year | $99 | $249 | $99 |
Annual report filing | $0 | $99 | $100 |
First-year total | $99 + state fee | $249 + state fee | $99 + state fee |
Registered agent renewal | $99 per year | $249 per year | $199 per year |
Competitor prices are for each company's lowest-priced LLC package, as published on its own website on September 29, 2026. The Montana state fee is extra with every provider. Prices change; check each provider before you buy.
Most Trusted Montana Registered Agent Service
One flat price, a real Montana address, and your legal mail scanned the same day it arrives.
$99 a year. That is the whole price.
The same $99 at renewal, every year. No tiers to compare and nothing pre-checked at checkout.
A real Montana street address
A physical registered office in Montana, not a P.O. box or a shared mail drop, that meets Montana Code Annotated § 35-7-104.
Signed consent kept on file
We document our consent to serve and keep it on record, even though Montana law treats appointment itself as consent under MCA § 35-7-105(2).
Same-day scans of legal mail
Any service of process or state notice we receive is scanned and emailed to you the day it arrives.
We handle your Statement of Change
Switching from another agent? We prepare your Statement of Change of Registered Office, Agent, Both — Montana charges no fee for this filing.
Support by email
Real people answer by email. We reply within one business day.
Important Montana Registered Agent Resources and Links
Official Montana offices, forms and data in one place. Every link goes to the source.
State government offices
- Montana Secretary of State, Business Services DivisionState Capitol, Room 260, Helena, MT 59620 · (406) 444-3665
- Montana Secretary of State — Business Filing Portalbiz.sosmt.gov
- Montana Department of Revenuerevenue.mt.gov
- Montana Department of Labor & Industrydli.mt.gov
- County clerk and recorder officesAssumed business name (DBA) filings vary by county
Filing, forms and records
- Montana business filings help centerhelp.sosmt.gov
- Statement of Change of Registered Office, Agent, BothFiled online through the Business Filing Portal, no fee
- Articles of Organization (LLC)Filed online through the Business Filing Portal, $35
- Certificate of Authority (foreign LLC)Filed online through the Business Filing Portal, $70
- Certificate of Existence verificationbiz.sosmt.gov
Taxes, permits and licenses
- Montana Department of Revenue — business taxesrevenue.mt.gov
- Montana pass-through entity tax (elective)revenue.mt.gov
- Montana has no general state sales taxNo sales tax permit required for most retail sales
- IRS — apply for an EINirs.gov
- Unemployment insurance employer registrationdli.mt.gov
Montana Registered Agent FAQs
Short questions, direct answers.
What is a registered agent in Montana?
A registered agent is the person or company named to receive legal papers and official state mail for a Montana entity, at an actual Montana street address. It is required by the Model Registered Agents Act, Montana Code Annotated § 35-7-105.
Do I need a registered agent for my Montana LLC or corporation?
Yes. Every Montana LLC, corporation and limited partnership must appoint and continuously maintain a registered agent under MCA § 35-7-105, from the day it files its formation document.
Can I be my own registered agent in Montana?
Yes, if you are a Montana resident with an actual Montana street address where you can accept deliveries (MCA §§ 35-7-104, 35-7-105). Many owners hire a service instead to keep that address off the public record.
Can I use a P.O. box for my Montana registered agent address?
No. MCA § 35-7-104 requires an actual street address or rural route box number in Montana; a P.O. box does not qualify as the registered office.
How much does a Montana registered agent cost?
LLC Register charges $99 a year. Commercial registered agent services generally range from about $99 to $249 a year, based on published pricing checked 9/30/2026.
How do I change my registered agent in Montana?
File the Statement of Change of Registered Office, Agent, Both with the Montana Secretary of State's Business Services Division. The state charges no fee for this filing, or you can update your agent when you file your annual report by April 15.
What happens if I don't have a registered agent in Montana?
The Montana Secretary of State may administratively dissolve an entity that fails to appoint and maintain a registered agent for 60 days, under MCA § 35-8-209(1)(a).
Does my registered agent need to consent to serve?
Yes, but not on a separate state-filed form. Under MCA § 35-7-105(2), naming a person or company as registered agent on a filing is itself an affirmation that the agent has consented to serve.
Can a family member or friend be my Montana registered agent?
Yes, as long as they are a Montana resident with an actual Montana street address where they can accept delivery, and they have agreed to serve under MCA § 35-7-105.
Can an out-of-state company be my Montana registered agent?
Yes, if that company maintains a business office in Montana that matches the registered office address; a commercial registered agent must also be listed with the Secretary of State under MCA § 35-7-106.
How fast will I know if my registered agent receives a lawsuit?
A registered agent must forward any process, notice or demand to the entity at the address it most recently supplied, under MCA § 35-7-114; LLC Register scans and emails it to you the same day we receive it.
Is my registered agent's address public record in Montana?
Yes. The registered agent's name and registered office address are part of the entity's public filing with the Montana Secretary of State and can be looked up through the Business Search at biz.sosmt.gov.
Can my registered agent resign?
Yes. A registered agent can file a statement of resignation with the Secretary of State under MCA § 35-7-111, which starts the process for the entity to name a replacement.
Do I need to update my registered agent on my annual Montana filing?
Yes. The Annual Report, due April 15 each year to the Montana Secretary of State for $20, must show your current registered agent and registered office.
Does every Montana entity type need a registered agent?
Yes, for every entity that files with the state: LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships and most other entities registered with the Montana Secretary of State must appoint one under the Model Registered Agents Act.
Does a foreign LLC formed in another state need a registered agent to do business in Montana?
Yes. A foreign LLC must appoint a Montana registered agent with an actual Montana street address before the Secretary of State will approve its Certificate of Authority, filed under MCA § 35-8-1003 for a $70 fee — the same registered agent rule that applies to a domestic LLC.
Does each series in a Montana series LLC need its own registered agent?
No. Montana's series LLC statute, MCA § 35-8-304, lets one LLC create multiple series, but only the parent LLC files Articles of Organization and appoints a registered agent under MCA § 35-7-105 — the individual series don't file separately or name their own agent.
Does a Montana professional LLC (PLLC) need a registered agent?
Yes. A PLLC organized under Part 13 of the Montana Limited Liability Company Act (MCA Title 35, Chapter 8) follows the same registered agent rule as any other Montana LLC and names its agent directly on its Articles of Organization.
How much notice must my registered agent give before resigning?
A statement of resignation takes effect on the earlier of the 31st day after it is filed with the Secretary of State or the date a new registered agent is appointed, under MCA § 35-7-111. The resigning agent must also promptly notify the entity of the date it filed.
What happens if someone tries to sue my LLC and my registered agent can't be found?
Under MCA § 35-7-113, if an entity's registered agent cannot be served with reasonable diligence, or the entity no longer has one on file, service may instead proceed under the applicable judicial rules and procedures for serving an entity without a registered agent.
Does a Montana nonprofit corporation need a registered agent?
Yes. The Montana Nonprofit Corporation Act, MCA Title 35, Chapter 2, Part 3, requires every nonprofit corporation to appoint and maintain a registered agent with an actual Montana address, confirmed on the nonprofit's Annual Report each year.
Does a Montana limited partnership need a registered agent?
Yes. Montana's limited partnership chapter, MCA Title 35, Chapter 12, requires both domestic and foreign limited partnerships to maintain a registered agent, named on the Certificate of Limited Partnership under § 35-12-601.
How do I look up a company's registered agent in Montana?
Search the Montana Secretary of State's Business Search at biz.sosmt.gov by entity name; the entity's current registered agent and registered office appear on its filing record. The Secretary of State also publishes a separate list of commercial registered agents at biz.sosmt.gov/lists.
If I convert my Montana LLC into a different entity type, do I need a separate registered agent filing?
Possibly. Articles of conversion filed under MCA § 35-14-933 carry over the converting entity's property, debts and liabilities automatically, but they don't restate your registered agent — the converted entity's own formation document must separately name a registered agent that meets MCA Title 35, Chapter 7's requirements.
Can my registered agent service change its own name or address without switching to a new agent?
Yes. Under MCA § 35-7-110, a commercial registered agent can file a statement changing only its own name, address or type of organization — it keeps serving every entity it represents without a separate filing for each one.
Can one person or company serve as the registered agent for more than one Montana LLC?
Yes. An individual or entity can serve as a noncommercial registered agent for any number of entities; once it is in the business of serving as agent for the public, it must file a commercial registered agent listing statement with the Secretary of State under MCA § 35-7-106.
Are registered agent fees tax-deductible?
Yes. The IRS treats an annual registered agent fee as an ordinary and necessary business expense, deductible in the year you pay it.
Can my attorney serve as my Montana registered agent?
Yes, as long as your attorney is a Montana resident (or their firm is registered to transact business in Montana) with an actual Montana street address — the same eligibility rule under MCA § 35-7-105 that applies to anyone else.
What's the difference between a "commercial" and a "noncommercial" registered agent in Montana?
A commercial registered agent is listed with the Secretary of State under MCA § 35-7-106 as being in the business of serving as agent for the public; a noncommercial registered agent — such as an owner, employee or attorney — serves one or a handful of entities without that listing.
What happens if an out-of-state company that never registered in Montana gets sued here?
Montana law treats that company as having appointed the Secretary of State as its registered agent by operation of law. Under MCA § 35-7-112, a nonfiling or nonqualified foreign entity transacting business in Montana can be served through the Secretary of State even though it never filed its own registered agent appointment.
Do I have to name my registered agent when I form my LLC, or can I add one later?
You have to name one upfront. The Articles of Organization filed under MCA § 35-8-202 require the registered agent's name and Montana street address before the Secretary of State will accept the filing.
What is the difference between my registered office and my principal place of business?
Your registered office is specifically where your registered agent accepts legal mail and must be an actual Montana street address under MCA § 35-7-104; your principal office is wherever you actually run the business and does not have to be in Montana at all.
Can a UPS Store or other commercial mail-receiving service be my registered office address?
No. MCA § 35-7-104 requires an actual street address or rural route box number where the agent can be personally served, and a commercial mail-receiving service or mailbox rental does not meet that rule any more than a P.O. box does.
Is my registered agent's phone number or email made public?
No. Montana's public filings list only your registered agent's name and street address; no phone number or email is required or published on the Business Search.
Do Montana nonprofit corporations have to confirm their registered agent on a periodic report?
Yes. Nonprofits file the same Annual Report as other Montana entities, due April 15 each year (fee waived through that date, $35 after), and it must show the nonprofit's current registered agent and registered office.
Can my registered agent also be an officer or manager of my company?
Yes. Nothing in MCA § 35-7-105 prevents an owner, manager or officer from also serving as the entity's registered agent, as long as they meet the residency and address requirements.
Does Montana require registered agents to be licensed or bonded?
No, not licensed or bonded — but a commercial registered agent, one serving the public for a fee, must file a listing statement with the Secretary of State under MCA § 35-7-106 before it can be named on any entity's filing.
Can I serve as my own registered agent if I live out of state but own property in Montana?
No. MCA § 35-7-105 requires an individual registered agent to maintain an actual street address in Montana; owning Montana real estate does not meet that requirement if you personally live elsewhere.
Does my registered agent have authority to sign contracts or make decisions for my LLC?
No. MCA § 35-7-114 limits a registered agent's duties to receiving and forwarding process, notices and demands addressed to the entity — it has no authority to sign contracts or act on the entity's behalf.
Can the same Montana address serve as both my registered office and my principal place of business?
Yes. Nothing requires the two to be different — many small Montana businesses use one street address for both, as long as it meets the registered office's actual-street-address requirement under MCA § 35-7-104.
Complete Montana Registered Agent Glossary
The terms, forms and filings you will meet when appointing a Montana registered agent.
Registered agent
The person or company with an actual Montana address named to receive legal papers and state mail for an entity, required by the Model Registered Agents Act, Montana Code Annotated § 35-7-105.
Registered office
The actual Montana street address or rural route box number where the registered agent can be reached; it cannot be a P.O. box, under MCA § 35-7-104.
Articles of Organization
The document filed with the Montana Secretary of State for $35 to create an LLC. It names the LLC's initial registered agent and registered office.
Statement of Change of Registered Office, Agent, Both
The filing used to update an entity's registered agent or registered office with the Montana Secretary of State; the state charges no fee for it.
Consent to serve
The registered agent's agreement to serve, which Montana law treats as affirmed by the act of appointing the agent on a filing, under MCA § 35-7-105(2).
Service of process
The formal delivery of legal documents, such as a lawsuit summons, to an entity through its registered agent.
Administrative dissolution
The Secretary of State's action to dissolve an entity that fails to maintain a registered agent for 60 days or fails to file its annual report within 140 days of the deadline, under MCA § 35-8-209.
Certificate of Existence
Montana's version of a certificate of good standing, available from the Secretary of State for $5, showing an entity is validly formed and current on its filings.
Pass-through entity tax
An elective Montana tax that lets an LLC pay state tax at the entity level on behalf of its members; Montana does not impose a separate franchise or privilege tax on LLCs the way some states do.
Annual Report
The recurring filing due April 15 each year to the Montana Secretary of State, $20 on time or $35 if filed late, that keeps an entity's registered agent and registered office current.
Commercial registered agent
An individual or entity listed with the Montana Secretary of State under MCA § 35-7-106 that offers registered agent services to the public, as opposed to a noncommercial registered agent named for a single entity.
Foreign qualification
Registering an entity formed in another state for a Certificate of Authority, filed with the Montana Secretary of State for $70, so it can legally do business in Montana; it requires naming a Montana registered agent.