How Much Does an LLC Cost in Montana? A 2026 Guide

Starting an LLC in Montana is relatively affordable, but the real cost depends on more than just the state filing fee. In addition to the Articles of Organization, you may need to budget for annual reports, name reservations, registered agent services, business licenses, and other filing or compliance costs.

If you are planning to launch a business in Montana, understanding these expenses upfront can help you choose the right formation path and avoid surprise costs later. This guide breaks down the main Montana LLC fees, explains which costs are optional versus required, and shows how to estimate your first-year and ongoing expenses.

Quick Answer: What Does It Cost to Form an LLC in Montana?

The base state filing fee to form a Montana LLC is $35. That fee is paid when you file your Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State.

That is not always the full cost, though. Depending on your business needs, you may also pay for:

• Annual report filings
• Registered agent service
• Name reservation
• Business licenses and permits
• Alternate business names, also called assumed business names or DBAs
• Certificates of good standing
• Foreign LLC registration if your company is formed outside Montana

For many business owners, the true startup cost is the filing fee plus a few administrative costs tied to compliance and operations.

The Main Montana LLC Filing Fee

Articles of Organization: $35

The primary required state cost is the filing fee for your Articles of Organization. In Montana, that fee is $35.

This filing creates your LLC with the state. Without it, your business is not officially formed as a Montana LLC.

If you use a formation service like Zenind, the service can help prepare and submit the filing, but the state fee itself still goes to Montana.

Series LLC Additional Fee

If you form a series LLC, Montana charges an additional $50 for each series member. Series LLCs are less common than standard LLCs, but they can add cost if your business structure requires them.

Optional and Ongoing Montana LLC Costs

Annual Reports: $20 to $35

Montana LLCs must file annual reports. The fee depends on when you file:

• $20 if filed before April 15
• $35 if filed after April 15

This is one of the most important recurring costs to track because late filing increases the fee. Even though the amount is not high, failing to file on time can create compliance problems for your LLC.

Registered Agent: Free to Hire Yourself, or a Paid Service

Montana allows an individual or company to serve as a registered agent. In theory, you can act as your own registered agent at no cost.

To do that, you must:

• Maintain a physical address in Montana
• Be available during normal business hours
• Accept legal and state documents on behalf of the LLC

Many owners prefer to pay for a registered agent service instead. That adds a cost, but it also helps keep personal and business schedules from getting mixed together and reduces the risk of missing important documents.

Zenind can help business owners manage formation and compliance steps in a more organized way, which is especially useful if you want a simpler filing process.

Name Reservation: $10

If you want to reserve your LLC name before filing your Articles of Organization, Montana offers a name reservation filing for $10.

This is optional, but it can be helpful if you want to secure a business name while you finalize your documents.

Assumed Business Name: $20 Per Name

Montana allows LLCs to use an assumed business name, sometimes called a DBA or trade name. This can be useful if you want to operate under a brand name that is different from your LLC’s legal name.

Each assumed business name registration costs $20.

If you plan to use more than one alternate name, you will need to file separately for each one.

Certificate of Good Standing: $5

A Montana certificate of good standing costs $5.

This document shows that your LLC is in compliance with state requirements. Businesses often request it when opening a bank account, applying for financing, or completing transactions that require proof of active standing.

Foreign LLC Registration: $70 Plus Series Fees

If your LLC was formed in another state but you want to operate in Montana, you will need to register as a foreign LLC.

The filing fee for a Foreign Certificate of Authority is $70, plus an additional $50 for each series member if applicable.

This is a separate cost from the fee for forming a domestic Montana LLC.

Business Licenses and Permits

Most businesses also need licenses, permits, or registrations depending on what they do and where they operate. These costs vary widely, so there is no single statewide number that fits every business.

Examples of variables that can affect your total include:

• Your industry
• Your city or county
• Whether you sell taxable goods or services
• Whether your business needs professional or occupational licensing

Because these requirements differ from one business to another, they are often the biggest wildcard in the total startup budget.

Estimated First-Year Montana LLC Cost

A simple way to estimate your first-year cost is to add the most likely filings together.

Here are a few common scenarios:

Bare-Bones Formation

• Articles of Organization: $35
• Annual report: $20 to $35

Estimated total: $55 to $70 before any optional services

Formation With Common Extras

• Articles of Organization: $35
• Name reservation: $10
• Annual report: $20 to $35
• Assumed business name: $20
• Certificate of good standing: $5

Estimated total: $90 to $105 or more, depending on timing

Formation With a Paid Registered Agent and Licensing Needs

If you add a registered agent service and business license or permit fees, the total can increase significantly. The exact amount depends on the provider and the type of business you are launching.

What Most Owners Should Budget For

If you want a realistic Montana LLC startup budget, plan for more than the $35 filing fee alone. A practical estimate should include:

• The base filing fee
• One annual report filing
• Registered agent coverage if you do not want to serve yourself
• Any name reservation or DBA filings
• Business-specific licensing costs

That approach gives you a better picture of your actual startup and compliance expense.

How to Lower Your Montana LLC Costs

There are a few ways to keep costs manageable without cutting corners on compliance.

File on Time

Filing your annual report before April 15 saves money and helps avoid compliance issues.

Avoid Unnecessary Filings

Only file for a name reservation or assumed business name if you actually need one. If your LLC name is ready to use, you may not need the extra reservation step.

Compare Registered Agent Options

Serving as your own registered agent can be free, but it requires availability during business hours and a Montana physical address. If that is not practical, a paid service may be worth the added cost.

Plan for Licenses Early

Business licenses and permits can vary by location and industry. Research them before launch so your budget reflects the real cost of operating legally.

Why Montana LLC Costs Are Still Attractive

Even after adding common extras, Montana remains a relatively low-cost state for LLC formation. The base filing fee is modest, the annual report fee is manageable, and many businesses can launch without expensive state-level requirements.

For founders who want a lean startup structure, Montana offers a straightforward path to getting a business officially formed and ready to operate.

How Zenind Can Help

Zenind helps business owners handle formation and compliance tasks without adding unnecessary complexity. If you want to start a Montana LLC, Zenind can help you organize the filing process, stay on top of ongoing compliance, and keep your business formation moving forward efficiently.

That is especially useful if you want to focus on building the business instead of tracking every filing detail yourself.

FAQs About Montana LLC Costs

What is the filing fee for a Montana LLC?

The filing fee for Articles of Organization is $35.

Does Montana charge an annual LLC fee?

Montana requires annual reports. The fee is $20 if filed before April 15 and $35 if filed after April 15.

Can I be my own registered agent in Montana?

Yes. Montana allows an individual or company to serve as the registered agent, so you can act as your own if you meet the state’s availability and address requirements.

How much does a Montana name reservation cost?

A Montana name reservation costs $10.

How much does it cost to file a DBA or assumed business name in Montana?

Each assumed business name filing costs $20.

What is the cost of a certificate of good standing in Montana?

A Montana certificate of good standing costs $5.

How much does it cost to register a foreign LLC in Montana?

A foreign LLC filing costs $70, plus $50 for each series member if applicable.

Final Takeaway

The direct cost to form a Montana LLC starts with a $35 state filing fee, but your total cost can be higher once you add annual reports, registered agent service, business licenses, and any optional filings.

If you budget for both startup and ongoing compliance costs, you will have a clearer picture of what it really takes to launch and maintain a Montana LLC successfully.