Short answer: A registered agent with a physical Montana street address is required. Both residents and authorized business entities qualify. Changing agents costs $0.
We've pulled these figures from the Montana Secretary of State's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Who can serve as a Montana registered agent
A registered agent with a physical Montana street address is required. Both residents and authorized business entities qualify.
You can be your own agent in Montana. The catch: your street address lands on the public record, and you need to be there during business hours to accept legal papers.
Paid registered agent services
| Service | Yearly price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | Uses its address on your public filings by default; scans state and legal mail |
| Bizee | Free year 1 with formation, then $149 | Says it runs its own offices in all 50 states; sends service of process by tracked FedEx |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | Sold as an add-on, not included with formation |
| LegalZoom | $249 | Sold separately from its LLC packages |
Compare all four in our registered agent rankings, or read the Bizee vs Northwest comparison.
How Montana compares
Montana's fee to change registered agents is $0. That ties for the lowest of the 45 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $20, so Montana comes in $20 under it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $0 | 40 of 45 |
| Idaho | $0 | 40 of 45 |
| North Dakota | $10 | 29 of 45 |
| Wyoming | $5 | 37 of 45 |
| Nevada | $60 | 2 of 45 |
| South Dakota | $10 | 29 of 45 |
Montana fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $35 | Filing is entirely online, with no mail-in option accepted. |
| Change of registered agent | $0 | Free via a Statement of Change. |
| Articles of Termination | $0 |
Registered agent rules: Montana questions
What are the registered agent requirements in Montana?
A registered agent with a physical Montana street address is required. Both residents and authorized business entities qualify.
Can I be my own registered agent in Montana?
Yes, if you meet Montana's requirements. Your address will appear on public filings, and you'll need to be available during business hours.
How much does it cost to change registered agents in Montana?
The state charges $0. Free via a Statement of Change.
Can a registered agent use a PO box in Montana?
No. Registered agents need a physical street address in Montana where legal papers can be delivered in person during business hours.
How much does a registered agent service cost in Montana?
Commercial services typically charge a yearly fee. Northwest charges $125 a year and Bizee charges $149 a year after a free first year with formation, based on prices we checked. The state doesn't regulate these prices.
What happens if my Montana LLC doesn't have a registered agent?
You can miss lawsuits and state notices, and the state can eventually move to revoke or dissolve the LLC. Non-compliance beyond 140 days leads to involuntary dissolution.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.