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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

Answered simply · Montana

3 Best LLC Services in Montana (2026), Plainly Answered

For LLC formation services in Montana, our 2026 order is Mainstay Filing ($199), Registered Agent MT.org ($199) and Montana Registered Agent.co ($199). Count on $35 for the filing itself and $397 to $597 in service fees over three years.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Quick answer

State filing fee
$35, once, up front
After year one
$20 yearly
Registered agent
Must have one
Best picks
Mainstay Filing, Registered Agent MT.org then Montana Registered Agent.co

Montana: our picks

Best first, by our stated criteria.
1We'd start here

1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who want the upkeep handled

$199 yearly, renewing at $199

Start with Mainstay Filing: it is the only pick here that files the annual report for you, inside $199 a year.

The extra $200 over three years, compared with Registered Agent MT.org, pays for work you would otherwise do yourself.

The annual report is part of the service; Montana still charges $20, billed at cost.

The price covers

  • Formation, done for you
  • Registered agent all year
  • Annual report taken care of
  • Help getting the EIN
  • State fee passed through

Upsides

  • $199 a year for everything listed
  • Year two costs $199
  • No extra charge for the EIN application

What to weigh

  • $100 a year more than Registered Agent MT.org from year two
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Montana specialist

2. Registered Agent MT.org: best for a small first-year bill

First year $199, then $99 a year

Registered Agent MT.org comes second: three years come to $397 with its $99 renewal.

You will file the annual report on your own.

The price covers

  • The Montana formation filing
  • Year-one agent

Upsides

  • Agent service, year one
  • $99 a year from year two
  • $199 plus the state fee

What to weigh

  • The annual report stays on your desk
  • Charges $99 for the EIN application
Visit Registered Agent MT.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Montana specialist

3. Montana Registered Agent.co: best for owners who file their own reports

First year $199, then $99 a year

Montana Registered Agent.co comes third: three years come to $397 with its $99 renewal.

You will file the annual report on your own.

Same published prices as Registered Agent MT.org; pick whichever you prefer.

The price covers

  • The Montana formation filing
  • Year-one agent

Upsides

  • $199 plus the state fee
  • $99 a year from year two
  • Agent service, year one

What to weigh

  • The annual report stays on your desk
  • Charges $99 for the EIN application
Visit Montana Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

How the picks compare

#PickYear 1Year two onThree-year totalYou get
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Formation, done for you; registered agent all year; annual report taken care ofVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Registered Agent MT.org$199$99/yr$397The Montana formation filing; Year-one agentVisit Registered Agent MT.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Montana Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397The Montana formation filing; Year-one agentVisit Montana Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices as published on November 12, 2026. The state's own fees are listed in the requirements below.

The plain answers

What is the total cost to form one?

The state takes $35; a service adds $199 in year one.

State fees for the first three years: $75. October 2026 · sosmt.gov

Where does the paperwork go?

The LLC starts life when the Montana Secretary of State accepts the Articles of Organization.

The law behind it: Mont. Code Ann. § 35-8-201. October 2026 · sosmt.gov

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual, including an owner, or an entity in Montana.

October 2026 · mca.legmt.gov

What does it cost to keep the LLC?

The annual report, once a year, at $20 each time. It is due April 15.

The late fee is $15.

October 2026 · sosmt.gov

Can I handle it on my own?

It is allowed. Do-it-yourself cost for three years: $75 in state fees.

The services charge $397 to $597 across three years for that work.

Why these three?

It comes down to what the price takes off your plate, where Mainstay Filing is strongest.

Three-year cost counts for 35% and what the price takes off your plate for 30%; the other three criteria are smaller.

The annual report comes around every year in Montana, and only the first pick files it for you.

The criteria in full

What Montana requires

RequirementAmount or ruleSource
Cost to file$35October 2026 · sosmt.gov
Registered agentMust have oneOctober 2026 · mca.legmt.gov
Annual report$20 every yearOctober 2026 · sosmt.gov
State fees, first three years$75Computed from the rows
We add the filing, two years of reports and any minimum tax for the three-year line. Publication and other variable costs are excluded.

Other quick questions

What about the EIN?

It is free with Mainstay Filing. Registered Agent MT.org: $99 extra. Montana Registered Agent.co: $99 extra.

What happens if I miss the report?

It costs $15 more.

Three years in, what has each cost?

Mainstay Filing $597, Registered Agent MT.org $397 and Montana Registered Agent.co $397 in service fees.

Are the fees official?

Official Montana sources for state fees, company price pages for service fees.

Is a service required by law?

No, you can file yourself if you meet the rules on this page.

Who is your first choice in Montana?

Mainstay Filing first: you pay $199 a year and the formation, the registered agent and the annual report are handled. Registered Agent MT.org and Montana Registered Agent.co follow.

Sources for this page

  1. Montana Secretary of State fee: sosmt.gov (October 2026)
  2. Montana yearly filing: Annual report: sosmt.gov (October 2026)
  3. Montana yearly filing: Annual report: sosmt.gov (October 2026)
  4. Montana report due date: mca.legmt.gov (August 2026)
  5. Mont: mca.legmt.gov (August 2026)
  6. Montana formation fee: Filing fee: sosmt.gov (October 2026)
  7. Montana registered agent statute: mca.legmt.gov (October 2026)
  8. Prices from the Mainstay Filing Montana service page on November 12, 2026
  9. Prices from the Registered Agent MT.org pricing page on November 12, 2026
  10. Prices from the Montana Registered Agent.co pricing page on November 12, 2026