The Best Montana Registered Agent Services of 2025
Compare Top Registered Agent Services
What Is a Registered Agent in Montana?
A registered agent is an intermediary or business that handles legal documents on behalf of your firm. To qualify as a registered agent in Montana, you must maintain a physical address within the state and be on-site to sign during regular business hours.
Registered agents are also a legally required component of starting and operating a limited liability company (LLC) in Montana. If you want to create an LLC in Montana, you’ll need to fill out the Articles of Organization from the Montana Secretary of State. You’ll need a registered agent before you can finalize this document. Once you’ve chosen a registered agent and completed the paperwork, which you can do online only, you’ll pay a filing fee of $35. You can also hire a professional LLC service if you want assistance in moving this process along faster.
Montana Registered Agent Requirements
Any registered agent in Montana has to have a physical address within state borders and be present to sign during usual business hours. Registered agents in Montana may also be referred to as a commercial registered agent or noncommercial registered agent. Note that in Montana, a registered agent does need to consent to serve in writing.
As the owner of your LLC, you can be your own registered agent in Montana if you meet the established requirements, but your business itself can’t serve as its own registered agent. For quality assurance, many people choose a registered agent service instead of an individual agent.
How To Choose a Montana Registered Agent Service
You’ll need to find a registered agent if you want to operate an LLC in Montana. Although an attorney or CPA can serve as your registered agent, many people choose professional registered agent services for their expertise and added perks.
Price
A registered agent service will generally charge between $90 to $596 annually. Some services provide discounts of up to 33% if you prepay for multiple years or have other services with them. Additional services such as mail forwarding and document scanning may have extra costs.
When considering a registered agent service in Montana, consider the price and any included features or benefits. Is everything covered? Does the fee increase after the first term, or does it renew at the same amount?
Reputation
When choosing a registered agent service in Montana, check online feedback and verify if the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Make sure you’re partnering with a reliable company that will handle your documents and correspondence with care.
Features and Benefits
A registered agent service should provide extra features and advantages that simplify business operations. Here are some to consider.
- Online account access: An efficient service will offer 24/7 access to your account, allowing you to manage and download documents anytime.
- Scanning and forwarding: Many services will scan and forward documents within one business day, saving time, particularly if you’re out of state.
- Online LLC formation: Some services will assist you in forming your LLC online, offering a convenient one-stop solution.
Featured Partners
1
ZenBusiness
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
2
Tailor Brands
$0 + state fee
Varies by State & Package
3
Northwest Registered Agent
$39 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
Methodology
To determine the most effective registered agent services, we researched over 15 providers and chose the 10 best. We reviewed these services across six primary categories, with a total of 17 different metrics. The criteria were weighted to stress features that are important for small businesses.
Here are the metrics we employed to evaluate the top-tier registered agent services:
Pricing
We considered both the initial and renewal prices for registered agent services, along with any supplementary or unforeseen fees, including unexpected extras. We also considered any guarantees and extra perks.
General Features
Thirty percent of our review methodology included looking at how providers manage documents, communicate the arrival of new correspondence and whether they alert you to important registration renewal deadlines and urgent documents.
Mobile App
As businesses operate from various locations, owners frequently rely on mobile technology to keep processes smooth. We evaluated the offering of a mobile app by the services.
Service and Support
In contrast to mobile accessibility, we’ve found that being able to access live help at any time is a crucial part of a top-quality service. We studied the customer support provided by each service, rating them on the number of contact methods, the accessibility of 24/7 support and the presence of a self-help knowledge base.
Ratings and Reviews
To gain an understanding of how users universally feel about each provider, we investigated third-party user reviews and ratings. We looked at the average rating for each provider and the volume of reviews they received.
Expert Score
Based on our direct experience, we incorporated a variety of metrics including user-friendliness, feature quality and popularity to determine the top services.
State Registered Agent Services Guides
Belle Wong, J.D., Jeff White, Katherine Haan and Natalie Cusson also contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a registered agent for a Montana LLC?
In Montana, your business must have a registered agent. A registered agent is an individual responsible for receiving and forwarding important legal documents on behalf of your business. These documents may include service of process notices, tax forms and annual report notices.
Can I use myself as a registered agent in Montana?
Being your own agent means you must be available to receive important legal documents. If you are frequently away, this role may not be suitable. Also, being served with legal papers at your business location might be embarrassing in front of staff and customers.
What should I do if my registered agent moves?
If your registered agent moves, they will typically submit a statement of change with the office where the LLC was originally filed. You may need to sign a form to authorize this change.
Can a registered agent in Montana have a virtual address?
Registered agents must maintain a physical address able to accept mail during standard business hours.
