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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Lesson 3 · Montana

Foreign LLC Registration in Montana (2026): a 4-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Services

Here is who we would send a new founder to for registering an LLC from another state in Montana in 2026: Mainstay Filing ($199), Registered Agent MT.org ($199) and Montana Registered Agent.co ($199), in grade order. Registering involves 4 steps and a $70 state fee.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

Quick facts

Filing fee$70Look it up at mca.legmt.gov; last checked October 2026
Annual filingNoneAnnual report
State fees over three years$70State charges only
Number of steps4From start to finish

What you will learn

  • When registration is required
  • The official form and fee
  • The yearly upkeep
  • Who we would hire to file

If you would like help with the filing

Three-year cost and the number of steps a price takes off your list weigh the most; the grading page lists all five criteria.
Top of the class

1. Mainstay Filing: best for several registrations

Service fee $199, renewal $149 a year

First in the class in Montana is Mainstay Filing: $199 beyond the state fee, with the registered agent free in year one and $149 a year afterward.

The three-year premium over Registered Agent MT.org is $100, and the 33% weight on steps handled covers it.

Agent service beyond the first year is $149 a year.

What the price covers

  • The registration filing
  • The registered agent costs nothing in year one
  • All fifty states

Marks in its favor

  • Ready for your next state
  • No agent fee in year one
  • $199 on top of Montana's fee

Where it loses points

  • A renewal $50 over Registered Agent MT.org's
In-state service

2. Registered Agent MT.org: best for a low yearly agent cost

Service fee $199, renewal $99 a year

Registered Agent MT.org is a sound second choice because $199 added to the state fee, with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.

What the price covers

  • Filing with the state
  • One year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • A free first agent year
  • $199 above the state fee
  • The agent renews at $99

Where it loses points

  • Serves only Montana
In-state service

3. Montana Registered Agent.co: best for registering only in Montana

Service fee $199, renewal $99 a year

Montana Registered Agent.co is a sound third choice because $199 added to the state fee, with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.

Registered Agent MT.org and this service charge the same.

What the price covers

  • Filing with the state
  • One year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • $199 above the state fee
  • The agent renews at $99
  • A free first agent year

Where it loses points

  • Serves only Montana

Compare the picks

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Registered Agent MT.org$199$99/yr$397Visit Registered Agent MT.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Montana Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Montana Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's listed price on November 13, 2026. No row includes the $70 state fee.

Registering in Montana, one step at a time

  1. Step
    1

    Find out whether your LLC must register with Montana

    Out-of-state LLCs that transact business in Montana file a foreign registration. Here is what happens if you skip it: Montana courts are closed to an unregistered LLC as a plaintiff (MCA 35-8-1002(1)). There can be a daily penalty of $5.

    Where this comes from: Look it up at mca.legmt.gov; last checked October 2026

  2. Step
    2

    Name your Montana registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be an actual street address or rural route box number in Montana. A P.O. box alone is not enough.

    Our graded picks all serve as the registered agent.

    Where this comes from: Look it up at mca.legmt.gov; last checked October 2026

  3. Step
    3

    Deliver the Application for Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company)

    Pay $70 when you deliver the form to the Montana Secretary of State, Business Services.

    Where this comes from: Look it up at mca.legmt.gov; last checked October 2026

  4. Step
    4

    Keep up with Montana's recurring filing

    Look out for the annual report (April 15).

What you will pay

ItemPayeeAmount
Registration feeThe state$70
Service fees (optional)Your service$199 up front
Three years of state feesThe state$70
State amounts come from Montana's official schedules (see the references); service prices come from each company's site. The three-year state total adds the filing, the reports from year two and any yearly minimum tax.

How the grade worked out

Homework the price handles decided first place in Montana. It is worth 33% of the grade, and the rest comes from tuition over three years, year-two price, fit with the state's lesson plan and pricing a beginner can read.

With the LLC active in two states, coverage settled the order.

Questions students ask

What does Montana charge for registering a foreign LLC?

$70 for the filing. Add $199 if you hire a service.

Which form do I file to register?

The form to use is the Application for Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company), and the Montana Secretary of State, Business Services is where it goes.

What if the LLC does business there without registering?

Montana courts are closed to an unregistered LLC as a plaintiff (MCA 35-8-1002(1)). There can be a daily penalty of $5.

What is due after registering?

Step 4 covers it: the annual report.

Which services are in this lesson?

The lesson grades three services: Mainstay Filing ($199), Registered Agent MT.org ($199) and Montana Registered Agent.co ($199).

Which service should handle the registration?

Mainstay Filing first, then Registered Agent MT.org and Montana Registered Agent.co; Mainstay Filing leads on homework the price handles.

Related lessons

Class references

  1. Montana Secretary of State fee page and fee is covered in the official page at sosmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  2. Montana yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source is covered in the official page at sosmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  3. Montana yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source is covered in the official page at sosmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  4. Montana report due date is covered in the official page at mca.legmt.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  5. Mont is covered in the official page at mca.legmt.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  6. Montana formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at sosmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  7. Montana registered agent statute is covered in the official page at mca.legmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  8. Montana Secretary of State, register a business is covered in the official page at help.sosmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  9. MCA 35-8-1001, transacting business is covered in the official page at mca.legmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  10. MCA 35-8-1002, consequences is covered in the official page at mca.legmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  11. MCA 35-8-1003, application contents is covered in the official page at mca.legmt.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  12. Prices taken from the Montana service page of Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
  13. Prices taken from the pricing page of Registered Agent MT.org on November 13, 2026
  14. Prices taken from the pricing page of Montana Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026