LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Montana

Forming an LLC in Montana for the first time

The Montana filing fee is $35. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $234.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Montana checklist

  1. File the Articles of Organization. $35 to the Montana Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Annual Report, every year, $20. Due: April 15.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $35 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$672 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $364; ZenBusiness $572; Bizee $373; LegalZoom $822 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Montana?

Mainstay Filing. First year $234 including the $35 Montana filing fee; $219 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Montana without a service?

Yes: file the Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State for $35. Required registered agent: A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual, including an owner, or an entity in Montana.

Sources