Kept simple · Montana
3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Montana (2026), Kept Simple
The short version
- State fee to register
- $70
- Home certificate?
- Not needed
- Next
- Nothing, annual report
- Our pick
- Montana Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing then Registered Agent MT.org
Ranked in Montana
Why this order? The checks are explained here.1. Montana Registered Agent.co: best for adding only this state
Register for $199. Agent renewal $99
First place: Montana Registered Agent.co, since registration costs $199 over the state fee, agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.
It costs less than Mainstay Filing over three years. Cost carries the most weight.
Includes
- Montana registration filing
- Agent for year one
Good
- Service fee $199
- Year one of the agent comes with it
- Then $99 yearly
Against
- Two states, two providers
2. Mainstay Filing: best for adding more states
Register for $199. Agent renewal $149
Mainstay Filing takes second place because year one of the registered agent is free, and registering costs $199 above the state's charge, with renewal at $149.
It ranks lower because three years cost $100 more than Montana Registered Agent.co, and cost has the largest weight.
No registered agent fee in year one, then $149 a year.
Includes
- Registration, filed
- Registered agent, free in year one
- One fee for all fifty states
Good
- A free first year of agent service
- Service fee $199
- All fifty states
Against
- Montana Registered Agent.co renews its agent $50 lower
3. Registered Agent MT.org: best for another local option
Register for $199. Agent renewal $99
Registered Agent MT.org ranks third. Registration costs $199 over the state fee, agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.
It charges what Montana Registered Agent.co charges.
Includes
- Montana registration filing
- Agent for year one
Good
- Then $99 yearly
- Service fee $199
- Year one of the agent comes with it
Against
- Two states, two providers
Prices
| # | Company | Start | After year one | Three years | Covers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | montana registration filing; agent for year one | Go to Montana Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Registration, filed; registered agent, free in year one; one fee for all fifty states | Go to Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Registered Agent MT.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | montana registration filing; agent for year one | Go to Registered Agent MT.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Key questions
Must my LLC register here?
An LLC formed elsewhere registers with the Montana Secretary of State, Business Services, then begins business in Montana.
Skipping registration can bring it cannot act as plaintiff (MCA 35-8-1002(1)); a charge per day of $5.
from mca.legmt.gov, October 2026, kept short
How much to register?
The state charges $70. A service adds $199.
Three years of state fees, registration included: $70. from mca.legmt.gov, October 2026, kept short
Which form, and where?
The Application for Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company) goes to the Montana Secretary of State, Business Services. One filing registers the LLC.
The state leaves the certificate from home off its list of attachments.
Is there a filing that repeats?
Next comes the annual report, which has no fee.
The state's timing: April 15.
Why this order?
Montana Registered Agent.co scores best on three-year cost, which is 38% of the score.
Five checks: three-year cost (38%), work included (27%), readable pricing (13%), renewal steadiness (11%) and state coverage (11%).
Mainstay Filing runs $100 higher over three years than Montana Registered Agent.co's $397.
Montana: registering a foreign LLC
| Item | Rule or amount | Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Fee to register | $70 | from mca.legmt.gov, October 2026, kept short |
| Home-state certificate | Not needed | from mca.legmt.gov, October 2026, kept short |
| State fees, three years | $70 | Sum of the rows above |
Questions
Does the home state need its own agent?
Yes. Each state has its own rule. Mainstay Filing can serve both from one account.
What do the picks cost over three years?
Montana Registered Agent.co costs $397 and Mainstay Filing costs $497 and Registered Agent MT.org costs $397, before state fees.
Are the fees official?
Every state fee links to its official page. Every service price comes from the company's own site.
Does the law require one?
No law requires a service. It is a paid convenience.
Can I hire someone to register?
Yes. Filing is part of what each company on this page sells.
Which foreign registration service should I use in Montana?
Montana Registered Agent.co, because $199 files the registration, and the agent renews at $99. Then Mainstay Filing and Registered Agent MT.org.
References
- Entry for Montana Secretary of State fee: read at sosmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Montana yearly filing: Annual report: read at sosmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Montana yearly filing: Annual report: read at sosmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Montana report due date: read at mca.legmt.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Mont: read at mca.legmt.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Montana formation fee: Filing fee: read at sosmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Montana registered agent statute: read at mca.legmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Montana Secretary of State, register: read at help.sosmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for MCA 35-8-1001, transacting business: read at mca.legmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for MCA 35-8-1002, consequences: read at mca.legmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for MCA 35-8-1003, application contents: read at mca.legmt.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Montana Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026
- Mainstay Filing Montana service page, read November 13, 2026
- Registered Agent MT.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026