Montana Resident Agent Service

Why Montana requires a resident agent

Montana has adopted the Model Registered Agents Act, found at MCA Title 35, ch. 7, and it governs agents for every entity type; the Business Corporation Act and LLC Act tell each entity to keep its registered office and agent in line with Title 35, chapter 7 (see MCA 35-14-501). You can use a commercial resident agent on the state's list or a noncommercial resident agent, which can be an entity, domestic or foreign, or an individual, acting in Montana. Filings need an actual Montana street address or rural route box number, and no residency rule for individuals appears in the statute. MCA 35-7-102(13), 35-7-104; MCA 35-14-501(1)

What happens if you lapse

• A corporation can face administrative dissolution after 60 days or more with no resident agent or registered office, or after 60 days pass without it reporting an agent or office change, a resignation or a discontinuance; each year by September 1 the Secretary of State compiles the list, and after notice you get 90 days to cure before dissolution and loss of the right to carry on business. MCA 35-14-1420(3)-(4); procedure at 35-14-1421
• An LLC that for 60 days fails to appoint and keep a resident agent, or to file its statement of agent change within 60 days, faces involuntary dissolution by the Secretary of State's order and loses its right to transact business in Montana, with 90 days after notice to cure under 35-8-914. MCA 35-8-209(1)(a); procedure at 35-8-914
• For a registered foreign corporation, 60 days or more with no resident agent or registered office, or 60 days without reporting a change, resignation or discontinuance of its agent or office, can bring administrative termination of its registration after a 60-day cure following notice, and foreign LLCs risk parallel revocation of their certificate of authority under MCA 35-8-1011(2)-(3). MCA 35-14-1511(1)(c)-(d); see also MCA 35-8-1011(2)-(3) (foreign LLCs)
• Reinstatement after administrative dissolution has to be sought within 5 years and calls for a Department of Revenue tax certificate, the Secretary of State's filing fee (no dollar amount appears in the statute) and every missed annual report with its fees and penalties, and LLCs get the same 5-year window (MCA 35-8-912). MCA 35-14-1422(1)-(2); see also MCA 35-8-912 (LLCs)

Switching to us

We prepare and file the change of resident agent for you. Montana charges no fee for an LLC MT SOS Business Services Filing Fees, 'Limited Liability Companies:... and no fee for a corporation MT SOS Business Services Filing Fees, 'Corporations: Both Domestic &....

Official Montana links

• Business entity search
• Statutes
• Forms
• Annual report filing

Frequently asked

Do I need a resident agent in Montana?

Almost every state does, and the Montana rule is set out above with its citation. Where the law leaves a choice, a resident agent is still the practical way to make sure service of process reaches you.

How much does Montana resident agent service cost?

$129 a year, with no setup fee, the same price in all 50 states plus DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Service of process is received and scanned the same business day.

Can I switch my Montana resident agent to ResidentAgents.com?

Yes. Order online and we prepare the change of agent filing for you; the state's filing fee is shown on this page.