Montana Articles of Organization (2026): File for $35

Q: How long does it take to process a Montana LLC filing?

Standard processing typically takes about Check current SOS queue, though it varies with volume. Expedited options are available for $20 (24-hour) or $100 (1-hour).

Q: 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).

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

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

Check the current SOS queue. The fee schedule lists an additional $20 for 24-hour processing or $100 for 1-hour processing, subject to current service conditions and submission cutoffs. A standard 5–10-day approval is not guaranteed.

24-hour processing — an additional $20.
1-hour processing — an additional $100, subject to current cutoffs and service conditions.

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.

Optional Provider Service

Northwest: Optional Formation Assistance

Verify current customer feedback directlyOptional filing assistance · Verify current terms directly

✓Optional formation assistance; confirm filing scope, service pricing and submission responsibilities.
✓Optional formation assistance; confirm filing scope, service pricing and submission responsibilities.
✓Confirm registered-agent eligibility, coverage, included periods and renewal charges.
✓Review address-use rules and privacy policies; a service does not remove all information from public filings.

Current offer+ $35 MT state fee

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Term-company and management address fields

Montana Articles are filed through biz.sosmt.gov with a $35 domestic LLC base fee; series members add separate fees. State whether the LLC is a term company and specify the term if it is. Include the principal-office business mailing address, required agent information and management election. For manager management, list initial managers and their business mailing addresses; for member management, list initial members and their business mailing addresses. Complete applicable professional, liability and series provisions under MCA 35-8-202.

Official requirements and instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Montana Articles of Organization — FAQ

How much does it cost to file Montana Articles of Organization?

Can I file Montana Articles of Organization by mail?

Use the current portal and SOS queue. Optional 24-hour processing adds $20 and 1-hour processing adds $100, subject to current service conditions.

How long does it take to process a Montana LLC filing?

Standard processing typically takes about Check current SOS queue, 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).

About the Author

Ahmad Adil

Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. Check the current SOS fee schedule, portal and review queue, and MCA 35-8-202 for required filing information.

About Ahmad Adil → Montana LLC Overview →

Up Next · Step 4 of 8

Create Your Operating Agreement

Not required, but strongly recommended — build your clauses.

Step 4: Operating Agreement

Montana LLC Articles of Organization — Step 3 of 8

What the Articles of Organization Do

Filing-Readiness Checklist

How to File

Processing Times & Expedited Filing

Term-company and management address fields

Montana Articles of Organization — FAQ

LLC School Guide