How Much Does a Montana LLC Cost? (2026)

A Montana LLC costs $575 all-in with us — that one price covers the state filing fees, the Articles of Organization prepared and filed, a full year of registered agent service, and mail forwarding. After the first year, keeping the company alive costs $225 a year. That’s the whole number — no surprise line items at checkout.

What the $575 Actually Includes

Most of the confusion around Montana LLC pricing comes from quotes that cover only one slice of the work. Ours covers the whole formation, start to finish:

• Name check and lock — the exact spelling is verified against the state registry before anything is filed, because the bank, the loan, and every vehicle title must match it character for character.
• Articles of Organization — prepared and filed with the Montana Secretary of State, state filing fees included.
• A full year of registered agent service — the Montana street address every LLC is required to maintain.
• Mail forwarding — state notices and company mail actually reach you, wherever you live.
• The company record done right — registration number captured and every document matching, so the title work that usually follows doesn’t bounce.

When a vehicle loan will sit in the LLC’s name, an EIN enters the picture — we take care of that as part of the setup. The full walkthrough of each piece is in how to start an LLC in Montana.

Why the Advertised Price Is Usually Not the Price

You’ll see Montana LLCs advertised far cheaper. The cheap end of the market makes its money on what the advertised price doesn’t include: the state fees arrive at checkout, mail forwarding is a paid add-on, and every scanned page or renewal notice has a line item. We priced one of those offers out to the real first-year total in what a $49 Montana registered agent actually costs — the receipts are worth two minutes before you buy on price.

What It Costs Every Year After

$225 a year covers annual business maintenance: another year of registered agent service plus the Montana annual report, prepared and filed before the state deadline each spring. Miss that filing and the state moves the company toward involuntary dissolution — the one recurring obligation a Montana LLC has, and it’s the thing the $225 exists to make sure never slips.

Adding a Vehicle: What That Part Costs

Most of our clients form the LLC to hold a vehicle, so here’s that half of the math. First-vehicle title and registration work is $400, each additional vehicle is $250, and we prepare and submit everything to the Montana MVD — you never stand in a line. The one-time county registration fee is separate from our fees and passed through at cost (it starts around $87 for vehicles 11 years and older). In a hurry? Expedited registration and plates is a +$300 add-on, or +$450 to expedite the title as well. The standard timeline is 7–10 business days; the full process is laid out in how Montana LLC vehicle registration works.

Optional Add-Ons (Only If You Need Them)

An operating agreement — the internal rulebook banks often ask to see before opening the company account — is $300. The LLC corporate book package (operating agreement, EIN filed with the IRS, and a physical binder with an embossed seal) is $375. A certificate of good standing, when a lender wants one, is $85. None of these are required to form the company — the Montana LLC guide covers when each one earns its keep.

Montana LLC Cost: FAQ

How much does a Montana LLC cost in 2026?

$575 all-in for the first year with us — state filing fees, registered agent, and mail forwarding included — then $225 a year for annual maintenance (registered agent plus the annual report). Vehicle title and registration work is separate: $400 for the first vehicle, $250 for each additional.

Are there hidden fees?

No. The $575 is the complete formation price. The only pass-through on vehicle work is the one-time county registration fee, which is the county’s charge, not ours — we pass it through at cost with no markup.

How long does a Montana LLC take to form?

Typically 24 hours from the time we have your information. Vehicle title and registration work runs 7–10 business days standard, with rush service as fast as 3 days.

Why do some companies advertise Montana LLCs for $49?

That price is usually the registered agent line alone — state fees, mail handling, and filing work all bill separately, and the first-year total lands far higher than the ad. We broke down a real example line by line in our $49 registered agent cost analysis.

Does the LLC price include vehicle registration?

No — forming the company and titling a vehicle in it are two jobs. The LLC is $575; first-vehicle title and registration work adds $400, with the county’s one-time registration fee passed through at cost. Both can run in parallel, and most clients have plates in hand in 7–10 business days.

Next reads: the complete Montana LLC guide, how to start an LLC in Montana step by step, and how Montana compares with Wyoming for vehicle registration.