A Montana Agent or Montana Registered Agent Service is required by law for every business entity in the state of Montana. A registered agent is an individual or business entity that will accept legal papers (documents) on your behalf if it is sued. The registered agent or registered agent service must have a physical street address in Montana and be available during regular business hours.
In my Montana Registered Agent guide, I’ll walk you through the detailed process of when you should get a registered agent or registered agent service for your Montana business, how to pick one, if they are required and how to change one if needed. Typically you’re getting a registered agent when you setup your Montana LLC. Check out my guide on how to setup a Montana LLC so you can make sure you’re following all the right steps in the process. If you are just looking for the professional service to help you – use Northwest Registered Agent or ZenBusiness.
Best Montana Registered Agent Service
ZenBusiness will be the best option for setting up a registered agent service in Montana. They can also help you with getting your LLC formed so if you’re looking for the best option, check them out today!
The best Montana registered agent service for your Montana LLC is using ZenBusiness. The team that’s been built at ZenBusiness is the best you’ll find across the country. They will help you make sure you’re following the law by operating during business hours, have a physical address in Montana and accept legal documents on your behalf. These are the three most important items that a registered agent service company will do for you and it’s required by law that you do it so it’s important you find out clearly how the company you’re going to be using for your registered agent service is going to be doing these three things.
ZenBusiness has also been cleared by the Montana Secretary of State’s office who you’re going to need to make sure the registered agent service is cleared by them. If you’re going to setup a domestic LLC, foreign LLC or any other type of business entity – you’re going to need to make sure you’ve found the right registered agent service company to help you.
I have been using my registered agent for a few years now and they are based out of Oregon. It’s possible to do this too but challenging to find the right one that is in your state that’s a law firm. You can go digging for the right law firm in Montana who can help you but the easiest path to least resistance (and lowest cost – most likely long term) is using ZenBusiness.
What is a Montana Registered Agent?
A Montana Registered Agent is no different than any other state’s registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or business entity that is going to help you follow the law. Every business needs to have a registered agent associated to it that will help you accept legal papers on your behalf, operate during normal business hours and have a physical street address in Montana.
This is all required by Montana law to have a registered agent (statutory agent) and be clear about having all of this operating in Montana state.
When you’re forming your Montana LLC – the registered agent’s name and registered agent’s address will need to be included on the Montana Articles of Incorporation. The Montana registered agent requirements are important to maintain your liability protection for your Montana LLC so follow what is given to you by the state.
Why do I need a Montana Registered Agent?
It’s the law. That really is the short answer but also the most important thing to realize. It is the law and if you don’t follow it your Limited Liability Company, nonprofit, C-Corp or whatever type of entity it is that you’re setting up will get dissolved (most likely by the Montana Secretary of State’s office).
It’s also important to understand that everything related to the registered agent (name, address, etc.) is public record and searchable through the Montana Secretary of State’s website. Anyone can go to the search portal and look up your business entity here. If you decided to be your own registered agent in Montana, you’d have your home address or whatever address you decided to use in the Montana public record.
If someone is going to serve you legal papers they can show up at the registered agent’s address on public record so be careful what you put in there because it is possible for someone to just show up.
You’re also going to need someone that is at that address during normal business hours. If you’re not going to have someone at this Montana address then the Montana Secretary of State’s office is going to have the means to dissolve and shut down your business.
If you’re going to use a Montana registered agent service help you with this, you may want to have them figure out the type of mail forwarding service too so you can see everything that is delivered to you.
When should I obtain a Montana Registered Agent?
The best time to have a Montana registered agent setup is in the formation process of your business. If you’re going to be transacting business, you’ll need a business entity and a registered agent associated to it.
You’re also going to have a Montana annual report that you’ll need to file associated to the business compliance deadlines in Montana. This will be topics you’ll need to consider when you’re going through the Montana business formation process. This is something that a service like Northwest Registered Agent can help you with – to make sure you’re following all the right pieces to the puzzle that are required.
I also highly recommend you understand the state fees that are associated with the registered agent. There are Montana fees associated to forming a business and any registered agent you attach to that business.
There are other local Montana law firms that can help you figure this out too but it’s easier to use a national provider like Northwest Registered Agent.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent In Montana?
It is possible to be your own registered agent like we’ve talked about but like any other state Montana is no different. It’s not worth doing this for the variety of reasons we’ve talked about. Being your own Montana Registered Agent is going to cause you issues in the long run. It may seem like being your own Montana registered agent is a good idea but it has it’s own challenges.
If you’re really looking for legal protection as you’re forming your Montana LLC, I’d highly recommend going with Northwest Registered Agent to help you with the liability protection you’ll be able to get with an LLC formed and a registered agent associated to Northwest Registered Agent.
As a Montana LLC business owner, it’s just as important to have protection between you and the public record search as it is for getting your official business mail forwarded so you can review. If you’re going to decide and be your own registered agent then you will potentially have people showing up at your home. It’s similar to registering your Montana business name as a domain (businessname.com) and leaving the privacy so everyone knows who you are. It’s very similar – the protection you get is needed and it’s not too hard to do.
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?
The cost of a registered agent ranges depending on how you decide to do this. It can be a $0 cost to you if you do this on your own. If you’re going to use a registered agent service, you can typically get the first year included with Northwest Registered Agent if you go through them to form your LLC. I would check with them on the latest.
If you want to go another route it can lead up to $300/year so just really make sure you understand what you’re getting into and that you have the right service for your Montana business.
How Do I Elect A Registered Agent In Montana?
If you’re going through this process for electing a Montana registered agent – you’ll find it’s not that complicated.
The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out the type of Montana individual or business entity you want to be as the service associated to your formed business.
After that you’ll be able to decide what that is and where to go get the registered agent submitted associated to the Montana Secretary of State’s office.
You can go directly to their website and pull the paperwork down here.
How Do I Change My Registered Agent In Montana?
If you’re looking to change your Montana registered agent, you can do that too. You’ll need to complete the Certificate of Change form and send it into the Montana Secretary of State’s office.
The Change of Registered Agent By Entity specific laws and rules are found at leg.mt.gov or here is a direct link for more details.
Montana Registered Agent FAQ
Does Montana require a registered agent?
Yes, Montana requires all businesses to have a registered agent.
Does registered agent mean owner?
No, the registered agent is not the business owner.
The business owner is the person who owns the Montana LLC or Corporation.
What is a registered agent service?
A registered agent service is a company that specializes in being available during business hours to accept Montana legal documents and correspondence on behalf of the business.
