Whether you’re starting a new LLC or updating the registered agent for your existing business, it’s important to choose the best Montana registered agent for your needs.
This article will help you to choose the registered agent that best fits your business, go over the basic functions of registered agents, and answer common questions about registered agents.
If you haven’t yet formed your LLC, you can get one year of registered agent services for free if you form your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees). (This is a great deal!).
A Montana registered agent is an individual or business entity that is appointed by a Montana LLC or corporation to receive tax and legal documents such as service of process, government correspondence, and compliance documents on behalf of the business.
Best Montana Registered Agent Service
When choosing a registered agent service, you want someone who understands the importance of staying compliant and being diligent about legal processes and paperwork. That’s why Northwest Registered Agent is our #1 registered agent service choice for Montana businesses.
Recommended Registered Agent Service
Northwest Registered Agent is our #1 overall pick for registered agent services. Their cost is $125/year – or get a year of service free when you form your LLC with them ($29 + state fees).
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent, which offers everything that you need to form your LLC along with Registered Agent services. The company boasts over 20 years of operations helping small businesses start or grow.
Northwest has a 100% Error-Free Guarantee with outstanding customer support, exceptional services, and high prices to match. If data privacy and access to customer support are top on your list, the extra costs of working with Northwest Registered Agent may be well worth it for you and your business.
See how Northwest Registered Agent compares to other registered agent services in StateRequirement’s Best Registered Agent Services review.
What Does a Montana Registered Agent Do?
A registered agent does a few things for a company. Their main task is to be present when or if the company needs to receive tax or legal paperwork. These would be documents that can’t be sent to a mailbox or delivered to a front desk; rather, documents that must be handed directly to the person who represents the company.
A simple example would be a service of process, which is the delivery of legal documents in a lawsuit. These service documents must be delivered directly to the company’s representative – the registered agent – to ensure they are received.
This may seem like a small task, but the caveat that makes this a critical position is that the registered agent is required to be at the documented location to receive these papers during all “regular business hours.” This is the main reason that most people choose to use a registered agent service rather than operating as their own agent.
Other forms that your registered agent may receive on your behalf are:
- Tax forms
- Legal documents
- Official government correspondence
- Service of process
Another function of a registered agent is to file official documents with the state in which the LLC or corporation is established. In most states, businesses are required to file an annual report once per year to keep the business in “good standing” with the state.
Learn more about why your business needs a registered agent.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Montana?
The short answer is yes, you can be your own registered agent.
Whether or not that’s the best plan for you or your company is another question entirely. If you are looking to spend the absolute, bare minimum amount of money on your business, then being your own registered agent may not be a terrible choice. Still, even in that scenario, we don’t recommend it.
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
There are only a few realistic options when it comes to whom you file as your registered agent:
- Yourself
- An attorney
- A registered agent service
As mentioned above, being your own agent has pitfalls and isn’t recommended. What’s more, an attorney in this position would be quite expensive and is generally only a viable option if you had them form your business for you.
So, that leaves you with the option of using a service. Here are the biggest benefits of using a professional registered agent service:
Privacy
When you form an LLC or corporation, your formation data goes into a state database which is open and searchable to the public. The information in this database can include:
- Business name
- Formation date
- Registered agent name
- Registered agent address
While you can’t stop the state from publishing this information, you can retain the privacy of your name and your address by using a registered agent service. Since this information is public, marketing companies use these databases to gather information to market their products and services to business owners. Your mailbox will thank you for keeping your business address private.
Another major privacy benefit is having legal documents delivered to your agent and not you personally. If, for some reason, someone brings a lawsuit against your company, would you rather have your agent call you with these documents or have them served to you in front of your customers, clients, or employees?
Easy Compliance
Along with privacy, another of the main benefits of using a registered agent service is that they will help to keep your business in “good standing” with the state.
Some states require LLCs and corporations to file annual reports or other timely documents. While these generally aren’t difficult tasks, they are often easily forgotten or lost in the day-to-day work that your business hands you.
Your registered agent will send you reminders that this work needs to be completed, and some will even provide you with the proper documents to make your work even easier.
How Do I Elect a Registered Agent in Montana?
LLCs operating in Montana are required to have registered agents who handle the businesses’ official communications. From tax notifications to legal papers, a registered agent will receive a variety of important documents.
Your registered agent will have to maintain a physical address in Montana, where they can receive mailings. They should also regularly be around to receive correspondences during business hours, and willing to sign for service of process documents.
You’ll have to choose a registered agent when forming an LLC in the state of Montana. Choosing a registered agent is part of the formation process that you’ll go through online when forming an LLC with the Articles of Organization. Should you want to not worry about the process, an LLC formation service can take care of everything for you.
To choose a registered agent on your own, follow the steps below. Montana is only set up to have their LLCs designate a registered agent via the online ePass Montana portal. There isn’t an option for designating registered agents by mail:
- Create an account on ePass Montana, the state’s online business filing portal. Then, select “SOS Filing Services”
- Under “Forms,” select “Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company.” Enter all of the required information, including the registered agent’s name, mailing address, and physical address (if different from the mailing address), into the “Registered Agent in MT” section. There’s also a place to provide the agent’s email address, but this is optional.
- Click to state that the registered agent has granted consent to designate them. The consent box is located at the bottom of the age. (The registered agent themselves doesn’t have to click it.)
- Make payment and submit. The Montana LLC filing fee is $70, which you can pay by credit card or debit card when completing this process.
How Do I Change My LLC’s Registered Agent in Montana?
You may choose to change your registered agent for a variety of reasons. If you want to make a change, the update can easily be made online. To update your LLC’s registered agent with Montana, go through the following:
- File Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent
Log onto ePass Montana using your LLC’s credentials. If you don’t already have an ePass account, you will need to create one. Navigate to the change request form, which is what gets submitted to change the registered agent. Enter the name, mailing address, and physical address of the new registered agent. Note that the new registered agent has consented, and submit the form. There is no fee for changing a registered agent in Montana.
- File Your Montana LLC Annual Report
If you’re filing for your business’s Montana annual report, you can use this to change your registered agent. However, it must be done within the filing period. File your Montana LLC annual report by logging in with ePass Montana. Your Montana annual report must be filed by April 15 and charges a $20 filing fee. If you miss the April 15 deadline, your business will incur a $15 penalty.
If you choose to use or switch to a registered agent service, they should complete and file the changes for you. For more information about our recommended Registered Agent service for your LLC, check out our Northwest Registered Agent review.
Recommended Registered Agent Service
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent, which offers their Montana registered agent service free for one year along with your LLC formation.
Montana Secretary of State Contact Information
Mailing Address
Montana Secretary of State
Business Services
Montana Capitol Building, Rm 260
P.O. Box 202801
Helena, MT 59620-2801
Physical Address
Montana Capitol Building, Rm 260
1301 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59620
Phone: (406) 444-3665
Email: sosbusiness@mt.gov
Montana Registered Agent FAQ
Who can be a Montana registered agent?
Anybody who meets the necessary requirements can act as your registered agent. These requirements include:
Must be at least 18 years old
Must have a physical street address in the state of Montana
Must be available during typical work hours (i.e., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday)
Is a statutory agent the same as a registered agent?
Yes. Some states refer to registered agents as statutory agents. Other names for registered agents include resident agent and agent for service of process.
Can I be my own registered agent?
While you can be your own registered agent, it comes with a lot of responsibility. This could take you away from the parts of your business that you enjoy the most. It can also be stressful trying to keep up with all compliance requirements, and your information will also be available on the public record.
Can I get a free registered agent?
Yes, as long as they meet all of the necessary requirements and follow the state’s guidelines. It can lead to trouble if you use someone that doesn’t follow all rules and regulations. Many LLC formation services offer free registered agent services with their packages for a certain amount of time.
Why do I need a registered agent?
All states require that LLCs have a registered agent. Businesses need registered agents because there needs to be a point of contact for every business, for legal processes, communication, and staying in compliance. Check out StateRequirement’s guide on why you need an LLC registered agent.
How do I choose a registered agent?
The best registered agent or service will be responsible, helpful, and honest. They should have a track record of being on time and working with other influential businesses.
How much does a registered agent service cost?
A registered agent service can cost as low as $99/year for some services, but others may charge considerably more depending on what services they offer.