SOS Business Search

Montana Secretary of State office — contact & fees

Updated August 2026

Quick Answer

The Montana Secretary of State's Business Services office registers all entities, processes annual reports, and issues certificates entirely online. Paper forms are not accepted. The physical office in Helena handles walk-in inquiries, though filing must go through the biz.sosmt.gov portal.

Open Official Montana Secretary of State Portal ↗

Office contact

Street address
State Capitol, Room 260, 1301 6th Avenue, Helena, MT 59620
Mailing address
P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-2801
Business & UCC phone
(406) 444-3665
Business & UCC fax
(406) 444-3976
Business & UCC email
sosbusiness@mt.gov
Filing portal
biz.sosmt.gov
Business Services homepage
sosmt.gov/business

Fraud warning: deceptive third-party solicitations

The Montana Secretary of State's office continues to warn business owners about third-party mailers and emails — with names like "National Business Services" and "US Filing Services" — that mimic official state notices and demand payment (recent examples cite a $51 fee) to file an annual report or obtain a certificate. These solicitations are not affiliated with the Secretary of State. Annual reports and certificates should only be filed and paid for directly through biz.sosmt.gov.

Entity formation and filing fees

Fees below are from the Montana Secretary of State's live fee schedule page (no revision date is published on the page; verified current as of August 2026). Annual reports are free when filed by April 15; the $35 late fee applies to filings after that date. Dissolution and articles of termination carry no fee. Verify current amounts at sosmt.gov/business/fees before filing.

Domestic LLC — Articles of Organization

Fee
$35

Domestic LLC — Annual Report (filed before April 15)

Fee
$0 (waived)

Domestic LLC — Annual Report (filed after April 15)

Fee
$35

Domestic LLC — Articles of Termination

Fee
No fee

Domestic Profit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee
$35

Domestic Profit Corporation — Annual Report (before April 15)

Fee
$0 (waived)

Domestic Profit Corporation — Annual Report (after April 15)

Fee
$35

Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee
$20

Foreign Entity — Registration

Fee
$70

Name Reservation (120 days, non-renewable)

Fee
$10

Certificate of Existence (Good Standing)

Fee
$5

Certificate of Fact

Fee
$15

Certified Copies

Fee
$10

24-hour expedited processing

Fee
+$20

1-hour expedited processing

Fee
+$100

Assumed Business Name (DBA) Registration

Fee
$20

UCC filing, notary, and apostille services

The Secretary of State also handles UCC filings, notary commissions, and document authentication:

  • UCC search and filing — available through the biz.sosmt.gov portal; the search fee varies by search type.
  • Notary public commissions — a $25 nonrefundable application fee for a new commission or a renewal.
  • Apostilles and authentications — $10 per document or notarization, regardless of page count.

Source: Montana Secretary of State business, notary, and apostille pages (sosmt.gov).

Key Montana state licensing agencies

Montana Department of Revenue

What it covers
State tax registration, sales and use tax, income tax withholding, business tax registration
Website
mtrevenue.gov

Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)

What it covers
Unemployment insurance registration, workers' compensation, contractor licensing, wage and hour
Website
dli.mt.gov

Montana Construction Contractor Registration (DLI)

What it covers
Construction contractor registration, transitioning to a Construction Contractor License administered by DLI beginning January 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the letter demanding a $51 fee for my Montana annual report legitimate?

No. The Montana Secretary of State's office warns about third-party mailers and emails — with names like 'National Business Services' and 'US Filing Services' — that mimic official state notices and demand payment (recent examples cite a $51 fee). Annual reports should only be filed and paid through biz.sosmt.gov.

How much does 1-hour expedited processing cost in Montana?

Montana offers tiered expedited service: 24-hour processing costs an additional $20, and 1-hour processing costs an additional $100, on top of the standard filing fee.

Does it cost anything to dissolve a Montana LLC?

No — Articles of Termination for a domestic LLC carry no fee. Formation, by comparison, costs $35 for both LLCs and profit corporations, and $20 for nonprofit corporations.

Compare Other States

Entity search rules, fees, and offices are set state by state. These are the states closest to Montana — useful if you're comparing how a neighboring state runs the same process.

Helpful Guides

What Is a Registered Agent, and Who Can Be One?

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Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One

A one-page proof that your LLC or corporation is current with the state — what it's for, what it costs, and how to request one.

How to Dissolve an LLC: The State Filing Process, Step by Step

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LLC vs. Corporation: Which Structure Fits Your Business?

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Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization: What's the Difference?

Both documents create a legal business entity with the state — the difference comes down to which type of entity you're forming.

How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC? Formation Fees by State

State filing fees for forming an LLC range from under $50 to $500 — see the base cost in your state and how it compares to forming a corporation.

LLC Annual Report Fees and Deadlines by State

Every state has its own rules for keeping an LLC in good standing — see your state's report frequency, fee, and due date at a glance.

Business License Search: What It Covers and How to Check

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UCC Filing Search: How to Check for Liens on a Business

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