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Step-by-step guide · Montana

3 Best LLC Services in Montana (2026): A Simple Guide

Your 2026 shortlist for LLC formation services in Montana reads Mainstay Filing ($199), Montana Registered Agent.co ($199) and Registered Agent MT.org ($199), in our order. Every option pays the same $35 filing fee, and three years of service cost $397 to $597.
Written by the Simple Filing Guide editorial team

Quick guide

Cost to file
$35, once, up front
Ongoing
$20 annually
Registered agent
Yes, by law
Recommended
Mainstay Filing, Montana Registered Agent.co then Registered Agent MT.org

Our Montana shortlist

Prices come from each company's own page. Read how we rank for the method.

#1 Number 1

1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who want upkeep handled

$199 yearly ($234 at signup, state fee included)

Start with Mainstay Filing in Montana: a single price of $199 a year includes the formation, the registered agent and each annual report.

The $200 gap to Montana Registered Agent.co over three years pays for jobs you would otherwise do.

It files your annual report and passes along the state's $20 at cost.

Checklist: what is included
  • Articles prepared and filed
  • Registered agent for the whole year
  • Annual report handled when due
  • EIN request filed
  • State fee with no markup
What works
  • Everything above is included in $199
  • No extra fee to get your EIN
  • You pay $199 again next year
Gaps
  • A $100 annual premium compared with Montana Registered Agent.co
Open Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
#2 In-state option

2. Montana Registered Agent.co: best for a lean launch

$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

In second place, Montana Registered Agent.co, where the opening price is $199 with the first agent year included, then $99 annually.

The annual report is not in the price, so add it to your own checklist.

Checklist: what is included
  • State filing completed
  • Year-one agent service
What works
  • $99 a year from year two
  • $199 to get started
  • Agent included for the first year
Gaps
  • The annual report stays on your checklist
  • EIN help is a $99 extra
Open Montana Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
#3 In-state option

3. Registered Agent MT.org: best for owners who do their own reports

$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

In third place, Registered Agent MT.org, where the opening price is $199 with the first agent year included, then $99 annually.

The annual report is not in the price, so add it to your own checklist.

Both publish identical prices, so pick whichever you like better.

Checklist: what is included
  • State filing completed
  • Year-one agent service
What works
  • Agent included for the first year
  • $99 a year from year two
  • $199 to get started
Gaps
  • The annual report stays on your checklist
  • EIN help is a $99 extra
Open Registered Agent MT.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Price comparison

#ProviderYear-one costYearly after3-year totalWhat is covered
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597articles prepared and filed; registered agent for the whole year; annual report handled when due Open Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Montana Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397state filing completed; Year-one agent service Open Montana Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 Registered Agent MT.org $199$99/yr$397state filing completed; Year-one agent service Open Registered Agent MT.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

These are service fees only, taken from each company's prices on November 13, 2026. State fees stay the same with every pick.

The key questions

What will forming an LLC cost in this state?

The state takes $35; if you hire a service in year one, add $199.

Over three years the state collects $75 in total, filing fee included. verify at sosmt.gov, as of October 2026

What starts the LLC?

Submit the Articles of Organization to the Montana Secretary of State and wait for approval.

Read the rule: Mont. Code Ann. § 35-8-201. verify at sosmt.gov, as of October 2026

Must I name a 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.

verify at mca.legmt.gov, as of October 2026

What does upkeep involve?

File the annual report once a year. The fee is $20. The state's due date reads: April 15. Note it early.

The state charges $15 for a late filing.

verify at sosmt.gov, as of October 2026

Is it possible to do this without a service?

It is allowed, and doing it yourself keeps the three-year cost at $75.

Services bill $397 to $597 across three years for taking this on.

Why is number one first?

Mainstay Filing wins on filing jobs included, a 27% check.

Five checks set the order: total for three years (37%), filing jobs included (27%), clear price information (13%), year-two price (12%) and state coverage (11%).

We rate a filed annual report above a few dollars saved, so the bundle comes first.

Read the method

Montana formation checklist

ItemWhat to knowWhere it is from
Formation fee $35verify at sosmt.gov, as of October 2026
Registered agent Yes, by lawverify at mca.legmt.gov, as of October 2026
Annual report $20 every yearverify at sosmt.gov, as of October 2026
State fees across three years $75The rows above, totaled

Last row = filing fee + report in year two + report in year three + minimum tax, if any. Variable costs are described in the text, not added.

Quick answers

Does the price cover the EIN?

Budget $99 for Montana Registered Agent.co or $99 for Registered Agent MT.org to get an EIN, and nothing extra at Mainstay Filing.

Is there a late fee?

You will owe $15 extra.

What is the three-year cost of each?

$597 for Mainstay Filing, $397 for Montana Registered Agent.co, $397 for Registered Agent MT.org, with state fees on top.

Are the fees official?

Official Montana documents supply the state fees, and the companies' own pricing pages supply the service fees. Both carry dates on this page.

Do I have to use a service?

Hiring is optional. The law requires a filing, not a filer.

Which LLC service should I start with in Montana?

Mainstay Filing, because none of the others files the annual report for you, and here it comes with $199 a year. Then Montana Registered Agent.co and Registered Agent MT.org.

Sources and price pages

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