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Montana LLC · Step 3 of 8 · Verified June 2026

Montana LLC Articles of Organization — Step 3 of 8

This is the one filing that actually creates your LLC. It's short, it's $35, and Montana processes it faster than most states. Here's exactly what goes on the form, what it costs, and a readiness checklist so your filing goes through clean the first time.

Ahmad Adil Written & verified by Ahmad Adil, LLC School·Updated June 2026
Quick Answer

File the Articles of Organization online through the Montana Secretary of State's Business Filing Portal (biz.sosmt.gov) and pay the $35 filing fee. You'll need your LLC name, registered agent, principal office address, member/manager information, and management structure. Standard processing takes about 5–10 business days, with expedited options for an extra fee.

Step 3 — Fast Facts
Filing fee
$35
Filed with
Secretary of State
Filed how
Online only
Processing
~5–10 days
Expedite
$20 / $100
Refundable?
No
Next step
Step 4 →

What the Articles of Organization Do

The Articles of Organization are the legal document that brings your Montana LLC into existence. Once the Secretary of State approves it, your LLC officially exists — you can get an EIN, open a business bank account, and start operating. Unlike Delaware's short five-field certificate, Montana's form asks for a bit more detail, including your management structure and member/manager information.

Filing-Readiness Checklist

Check off each item as you go — the ring fills as you get closer to a clean, first-try filing:

0%Ready
Filing-Readiness Checklist
8 things to have ready before you file
Confirmed your LLC name is available & compliantChecked on the Secretary of State's Business Search
Secured your Montana registered agentName (or name + address) with a physical MT street address
Decided member-managed vs manager-managedWho runs day-to-day operations
Gathered member/manager names & addressesRequired on the Articles of Organization
Confirmed your principal office addressPhysical address; can be MT or your home state
Created your online filing portal accountSet up your login at biz.sosmt.gov
Ready to pay the $35 feePlus any optional expedite fee
Planned your operating agreementInternal doc — set up after approval (recommended)
Check the boxes above as you prepare.
You're ready — File with Montana
Montana LLC Articles of Organization ready to file with the Secretary of State

How to File

  • Go to biz.sosmt.gov and log in (or create an account) on the Montana Business Filing Portal.
  • Start a new domestic LLC application and enter your name, principal office and mailing addresses, registered agent, member/manager details, and management structure.
  • Pay the $35 fee (add $20 for 24-hour or $100 for 1-hour expedited processing if you need it faster) and submit.
  • Save your approved filing — you'll need it for banking, your EIN, and your records.
File the Articles of Organization — $35Official Montana Secretary of State portal
File with Montana

Processing Times & Expedited Filing

Standard online processing typically takes about 5–10 business days, though it varies with filing volume. If you need to move faster, Montana offers expedited options:

  • 24-hour processing — an additional $20.
  • 1-hour processing — an additional $100, for when you need same-day approval.

What happens after approvalYour LLC exists the moment Montana approves the filing. From there, your main recurring obligation is the annual report by April 15 — normally $20, but waived for on-time filers through 2027. Set a reminder for mid-March each year and you're set.

Ahmad Adil's Take: Montana's Articles of Organization ask for more detail than Delaware's — you'll list your members or managers, not just an organizer's signature. That's fine for most small LLCs, but if member-level privacy matters to you, know going in that this information becomes part of the public record here. Double-check every field before you submit, since the $35 fee is non-refundable and a rejected filing means resubmitting and waiting again. If you'd rather not deal with the portal at all, a formation service like Northwest will handle the whole filing for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Montana Articles of Organization — FAQ

How much does it cost to file Montana Articles of Organization?
The filing fee is $35, paid to the Montana Secretary of State. It's a one-time fee, and it's non-refundable once submitted.
Can I file Montana Articles of Organization by mail?
No — Montana requires online filing only through the Business Filing Portal at biz.sosmt.gov. Paper filings are not accepted.
How long does it take to process a Montana LLC filing?
Standard processing typically takes about 5–10 business days, though it varies with volume. Expedited options are available for $20 (24-hour) or $100 (1-hour).
What information goes on the Montana Articles of Organization?
Your LLC name, principal office and mailing addresses, registered agent name (and address, if noncommercial), member/manager names and addresses, management structure, and an effective date if different from the approval date.
Are member names public in Montana?
Yes. Unlike states such as Delaware, Montana's Articles of Organization require member/manager names and addresses, and this information becomes part of the public record with the Secretary of State.
What happens after my Montana LLC is approved?
Your LLC legally exists. Next, get an EIN from the IRS, open a business bank account, and set up your operating agreement. Your first annual report is due the following April 15.
Can I choose member-managed or manager-managed on the Articles?
Yes — you'll select member-managed (all owners run daily operations, standard for most small LLCs) or manager-managed (designated managers handle operations while other members stay passive).
Ahmad Adil, founder of LLC School
About the Author
Ahmad Adil

Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. The filing details here — the $35 fee, online-only filing at biz.sosmt.gov, 5–10 business day processing, expedite pricing, and required fields — reflect current Montana Secretary of State guidance. This is educational information, not legal advice.

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Up Next · Step 4 of 8
Create Your Operating Agreement
Not required, but strongly recommended — build your clauses.
Step 4: Operating Agreement
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