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Registered Agent Services·State Rankings

Best Registered Agent Services in Montana

Every Montana LLC must appoint a registered agent with a physical street address in the state.

Updated June 2026·10 services compared
Daniel Wong
Written byDaniel Wong
Legal & Compliance Analyst
Privacy Protection
Compliance Alerts
Fast Doc Forwarding

10

Services Tested

120+

Research Hours

50

States Tested

Montana does not charge a fee for annual reports, but missing the April 15 deadline triggers a $15 late fee and, if still unfiled by December 1, administrative dissolution of your LLC. A registered agent service with a reliable compliance calendar can prevent your company from being dissolved over a report that costs nothing to file.

Montana Registered Agent Services: At a Glance

Service
NR logo
Northwest Registered Agent
Best Privacy
$125/yr
4.8
Visit →Read review
ZB logo
ZenBusiness
Best Platform
$99/yr
4.5
Visit →Read review
B logo
Bizee
Best Value
$119/yr
3.7
Visit →Read review
LZ logo
LegalZoom
Industry Giant
$249/yr
3.0
Visit →Read review

Full Reviews — Best Registered Agents in Montana

Our Top Pick — Best Registered Agent in Montana
#1
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Privacy
$125annual fee
4.8
Get Started

Starts at $125/yr · No setup fees

Northwest Registered Agent is our top recommendation for privacy-minded founders. They shield your home address on public records and process legal mail the same day it arrives. The initial cost is slightly higher than free competitors, but the stable $125 renewal rate saves you money long-term. We highly recommend them if you want reliable compliance without the endless upsell pitches.

Pros

  • Same-day document scanning
  • Privacy by Default shields your address
  • Knowledgeable US-based Corporate Guides
  • Flat $125 annual fee with no surprise hikes
  • Includes 5 free digital mail forwards per year

Cons

  • Requires a $39 fee if bundling with LLC formation
  • Optional compliance add-on uses negative-option renewal
  • Customer support is only available during business hours

Best for: Founders valuing privacy, consistent pricing, and human support over rock-bottom initial costs.

Response Time

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Mon–Fri

Support Hours

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $125/yr · No setup fees

#2
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best Platform
$99annual fee
4.5
Get Started

Starts at $99/yr · No setup fees

ZenBusiness delivers a premium registered agent experience tailored perfectly for first-time founders. We love the modern dashboard and the rare inclusion of weekend customer support. The main drawback is the $199 annual renewal fee, which is pricier than some budget competitors. We highly recommend ZenBusiness if you value an easy-to-use digital portal and fast document delivery over securing the absolute lowest long-term price.

Pros

  • Same-day document scanning and fast client notifications
  • Clean, modern, and highly intuitive digital dashboard
  • Customer support available on weekends
  • Shields your personal home address from public records
  • Excellent user reviews across Trustpilot and app stores

Cons

  • Annual renewal rate increases to $199 after the first year
  • Cancellation requires contacting support via phone or chat
  • Frequent upsells for additional compliance and financial tools

Best for: First-time founders wanting a stress-free, all-in-one compliance dashboard

Response Time

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Mon–Fri

Support Hours

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $99/yr · No setup fees

#3
B logo

Bizee

Best Value
$119annual fee
3.7
Get Started

Starts at $119/yr · No setup fees

Bizee delivers a fast, modern registered agent dashboard at a competitive $119 per year. Same-day scanning ensures you never miss a critical legal notice. However, we found their customer support lacking and the cancellation process unnecessarily difficult. We only recommend Bizee if you are bundling it with their free LLC formation package.

Pros

  • Unbeatable $0 LLC formation package includes a free year of registered agent
  • Clean and intuitive online document dashboard
  • Same-day document scanning for rapid notification
  • Physical addresses available in all 50 states
  • Immediate text and email alerts for legal notices

Cons

  • Difficult cancellation process requires a phone call or chat session
  • F rating with the Better Business Bureau due to unresolved complaints
  • Aggressive upsells for compliance and virtual address services

Best for: Entrepreneurs seeking the absolute lowest cost to form an LLC ($0 + state fees)

Response Time

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Mon–Fri

Support Hours

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $119/yr · No setup fees

#4
LZ logo

LegalZoom

Industry Giant
$249annual fee
3.0
Get Started

Starts at $249/yr · No setup fees

LegalZoom delivers on the core promise of a registered agent by scanning documents the same day and offering a clean, unified dashboard. However, at $249 per year, it is one of the most expensive options on the market. The aggressive upsells and notoriously difficult cancellation process make it hard to recommend for bootstrapping founders. We suggest this service only if you already use LegalZoom for other legal services and prioritize platform consolidation over cost.

Pros

  • Same-day document scanning and immediate notifications
  • Highly trusted, publicly traded brand name
  • Includes a compliance calendar for state deadlines
  • Extensive customer support hours including weekends
  • Comes with $1 million in identity theft protection

Cons

  • Extremely high annual fee of $249
  • Cancellation process requires proof of new agent to stop billing
  • Constant upsells for bookkeeping and advisory services

Best for: Founders prioritizing brand name and platform consolidation over price

Response Time

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Mon–Fri

Support Hours

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $249/yr · No setup fees

Ready to protect your privacy?

We recommend Northwest Registered Agent for Montana. Required by law.

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What Makes a Good Registered Agent for Montana Businesses

Montana publishes your registered agent's name and street address in its online business entity database. Anyone can search this at sosmt.gov, which means your home address will be visible if you serve as your own agent.

The annual report is free but carries a harsh penalty. Montana charges $0 to file your annual report, yet an LLC that fails to file by December 1 faces administrative dissolution. A good registered agent service will send you reminders well before that April 15 deadline so you never reach the danger zone.

Montana only accepts online filings through the Secretary of State's portal. Your registered agent cannot submit paper documents on your behalf, but services like Northwest will forward any state correspondence they receive at their Montana address to you digitally the same day.

How to Choose a Registered Agent in Montana

If you are forming a new Montana LLC, a bundled registered agent deal can save money in year one. Bizee and ZenBusiness both include a free first year of RA service with their formation packages, though renewal prices jump to $119 and $199 respectively. If you only need a registered agent and already have your LLC, a standalone service like Northwest at $125 per year is simpler and has no price surprises at renewal.

Montana's compliance calendar is light. There are no post-formation filings, no franchise tax, and no state sales tax. The only recurring obligation is the free annual report due April 15. That makes compliance dashboard features less critical here than in states like California, where a Statement of Information is due within 90 days. Focus your decision on price, scanning speed, and whether the service has a real Montana office.

If you are still deciding how to form your LLC, check our guide to the best LLC formation services in Montana to compare bundled deals that include registered agent service.

Hidden RA Costs to Watch For in Montana

  • Free-Year RA Renewals - Bizee jumps to $119/yr and ZenBusiness to $199/yr after the promotional first year ends, which can catch you off guard if you only looked at the initial quote.
  • Change of Agent Filing - Montana charges no fee to change your registered agent online, but some RA services charge $50 or more to handle the switch on your behalf.
  • Mail Forwarding Add-Ons - Several services charge $50 to $150 per year extra for physical mail forwarding beyond standard legal document scanning.
  • Dissolution Reinstatement - If you miss the December 1 cutoff and your LLC is dissolved, reinstating it with the Montana Secretary of State costs $15 plus potential back-filing obligations.

Montana Business Compliance Overview

Montana has no sales tax and no franchise tax, but it does impose a state income tax on LLC profits that flow through to members. Your annual report is due April 15, the same day as federal tax returns, so a registered agent service that sends early reminders helps you avoid the $15 late fee and the risk of administrative dissolution by December 1.

What to Do After Setting Up Your Registered Agent

  1. Confirm your registered agent appointment in the Montana Secretary of State's online portal at sosmt.gov. Your agent's name and address should appear on your LLC record immediately after formation.
  2. Apply for your EIN with the IRS. This is free and can be done online at irs.gov. You will need it to open a business bank account and file taxes.
  3. Open a business bank account using your Articles of Organization and EIN. Montana banks will typically also ask for your Operating Agreement.
  4. Set a calendar reminder for April 15 to file your free annual report with the Secretary of State. Missing this deadline results in a $15 late fee, and failing to file by December 1 leads to administrative dissolution.
  5. Register with the Montana Department of Revenue if your LLC will have employees or owes state income tax. This is separate from your Secretary of State filing.

Frequently Asked Questions — Montana Registered Agents

Does Montana require a registered agent?

Yes. Under Montana Code Annotated § 35-8-104, every LLC formed or registered in Montana must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. The agent must be available during normal business hours to accept legal documents, and P.O. Boxes do not qualify.

Can I be my own registered agent in Montana?

You can, as long as you are a Montana resident with a physical street address and are available during business hours. The downside is that your home address will appear in the Secretary of State's public database. A commercial service costs as little as $99 per year and keeps your personal address off public records.

How much does a registered agent cost in Montana?

Commercial registered agent services for Montana LLCs range from $99 to $299 per year. Northwest Registered Agent charges $125 per year with no hidden fees. Bizee and ZenBusiness offer a free first year if you bundle RA service with LLC formation, but renewals are $119 and $199 respectively.

What happens if my Montana LLC has no registered agent?

If your registered agent resigns or your LLC lacks a valid agent, the Montana Secretary of State can refuse to accept filings for your company. You also lose the ability to receive service of process, meaning lawsuits could proceed without your knowledge. Continued failure to maintain an agent can contribute to administrative dissolution.

About the Author

Daniel Wong
Daniel Wong

Legal & Compliance Analyst

Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.

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