Find Montana Corp & LLC Records
This guide helps you use the official Montana Secretary of State business search portal to look up corporations, LLCs, assumed business names, registered agents, principals, certificates, copies, annual reports and filing actions.
Use it before you pay for an annual report, order a certificate, register a business, request copies, verify a solicitation letter, or rely on a third-party business lookup page.
Fast answer: Use the Montana Secretary of State business search portal to search Montana corporations, LLCs, assumed business names and other business records. If you already registered a business, search the record, click the business name, and use the Filing Actions menu for renewals, amendments, cancellations or other forms.
Best practical workflow: search the business name → open the matching record → confirm entity type and status → review registered agent and principal details → use certificates, copies, annual report or filing actions only after confirming the correct record.
Important warning: Montana SOS warns that letters asking you to pay for annual reports or certificates may not be affiliated with the SOS office. If you receive a payment letter, verify it through the official SOS portal before paying.
I Want To… Pick the Correct Montana SOS Path
Choose the task first. Montana’s SOS portal separates business search, filing portal actions, annual reports, principal search, certificate/copy requests, UCC services, and registered-agent resources.
Find a business record
Use Business Search when you know a Montana corporation, LLC, assumed business name or business name keyword.
Search businessFind a principal
Use Principal Search when you know an individual or organization connected with a Montana business record.
Principal searchGet certificates or copies
Use the official request tool when a bank, lender, vendor or agency asks for entity proof or document copies.
Request infoFile annual report
Use the official portal for annual reports. Montana lists annual reports as waived before April 15 and $35 after April 15 for corporations and LLCs.
Find business firstRegister a business
Use the Filing Portal and start a new business application from the Forms page.
Open filing portalCheck business name
Use Business Name Search before filing articles, registering an assumed name or reserving a name.
Search nameFind commercial agents
Use commercial and non-commercial agent resources when choosing or checking a Montana registered agent.
Agent resourcesAsk Business & UCC
For business portal issues, registration, renewal, UCC or lien questions, call Business Entity & UCC at 406-444-3665.
View contactMontana Search Helper Before You Click
Tap the situation closest to your task. This helps you choose the right Montana SOS search or filing action.
Choose your search situation
How to Search Montana Business Records in the SOS Portal
The official Montana SOS portal is the safest place to start. Search first, then use filing actions only after opening the correct record.
Open the official Montana Business Search page
Start with the official Montana Secretary of State business search portal. Do not use a third-party page when you need current entity data, annual report actions, certificates or copies.
Open official business search
Image description: this user-help visual reference shows the Montana SOS business search portal where users can look up business names and access official entity records. It is not a claim that this website is the official Montana Secretary of State website.
Search the strongest business name words
Start with the unique part of the name. Remove LLC, Inc, Corp, Company, punctuation, “The,” and extra words if the first search does not find a useful result.
Open the matching business record
Do not rely only on a result row. Open the business record and review the entity type, status, registered agent, address, principals and available filing actions.
Use Filing Actions only after confirming the record
Montana SOS says existing businesses can search for their business record, click the business name and use the Filing Actions button to find the necessary form.
Check principal search if name search fails
If you only know the person, officer, member, manager or organization connected with the business, use Principal Search as a second path.
Verify annual report or certificate requests
If you received a payment letter, do not pay blindly. Montana SOS warns some letters asking for annual report or certificate money are not affiliated with the office.
Request certificates or copies only when needed
Use the official certificate or copy request path after confirming the exact entity record. This prevents wrong-entity purchases and duplicate payments.
How to Read a Montana Business Record Without Misunderstanding It
A Montana SOS record can help you identify a business filing, but it does not prove every license, permit, tax or trust issue.
Business name
Compare exact spelling, suffix and similar names. Assumed business names and entity names can create confusion if you search too narrowly.
Entity type
Corporation, LLC, LLP, limited partnership, assumed business name, cooperative and foreign entity records have different fees and filing needs.
Status
Status helps you understand whether the record appears current, inactive, dissolved, cancelled, revoked, delinquent or otherwise changed.
Registered agent
Agent details are important for legal notices and service of process. Agent changes are listed as no-fee filings for corporations and LLCs on the fee page.
Principals
Principal information can help verify owners, managers, officers or connected organizations, depending on the entity type and filing record.
Filing actions
Filing actions are used for reports, renewals, amendments, cancellations and other official business maintenance tasks.
Principal and Registered Agent Searches Extra Montana Lookup Paths
If the business name does not work, search connected people, organizations or agents before giving up.
Principal Search
Use Principal Search when you know an individual or organization connected with a Montana business record. This is useful for finding records by owner, officer, member, manager or organization name.
Open Principal SearchCommercial and non-commercial agents
Montana SOS provides commercial agent, non-commercial agent and commercial agent list resources. Use these when you need registered-agent context.
Open agent resourcesMontana Business Name Search and Reservation Before You Register
A quick search can save you from filing, branding or paying for a name that is too close to an existing Montana business record.
Good search method
- Search the exact proposed business name first.
- Search only the strongest unique words.
- Search singular and plural versions.
- Search without LLC, Inc, Corp, Company, punctuation and “The.”
- Check assumed business names and similar entity names before filing.
Do not rely on these alone
- Domain name availability.
- Social media username availability.
- Google search results.
- A county business list.
- A third-party “business lookup” page.
Montana Annual Report Warning Avoid Wrong Payments
Montana’s annual report process is one of the biggest areas where businesses can receive confusing or misleading payment letters.
Due date signal
The SOS site labels Annual Report Due April 15th in the Business & UCC menu. Use the official portal to verify your real filing need.
Fee timing
The official fee page lists annual reports for corporations and LLCs as waived before April 15 and $35 after April 15.
Solicitation warning
Montana SOS warns that some letters asking for annual report or certificate payments are not affiliated with the office.
Certificates and Copies After You Find the Correct Entity
Search results are enough for basic research. Certificates and certified copies are used when a bank, lender, agency, contract or vendor asks for official proof.
Certificate of Existence
The Montana fee page lists Certificate of Existence at $5 for domestic corporations and LLCs. Use it after confirming the exact entity.
Request certificateCertified copy requests
The fee page lists certified copy requests at $10. Order copies only after checking the exact business record.
Request copiesExpedited processing
The fee page lists 24-hour processing at $20 and 1-hour processing at $100. Confirm availability before paying.
View feesMontana Business Entity Fees Common Costs Users Ask About
Public search is free. Filings, reports, certificates, copies and expedited processing have state fees.
| Service or filing | Listed fee | Best for | Action / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Search | Free | Looking up Montana corporations, LLCs, assumed names, agents, principals and records. | Search business |
| Articles of Incorporation – Profit Corporation | $35.00 | Creating a Montana profit corporation. | Use the official filing portal. |
| Articles of Organization – LLC | $35.00 | Creating a Montana LLC. | Series LLC members can add $50 each. |
| Foreign Profit Corporation Registration | $70.00 | Registering an out-of-state profit corporation in Montana. | Confirm foreign vs domestic before filing. |
| Foreign LLC Certificate of Authority | $70.00 | Registering a foreign LLC in Montana. | Series members can add $50 each. |
| Annual Report before April 15 | Waived | Maintaining corporations and LLCs on time. | Use official portal, not a solicitation letter. |
| Annual Report after April 15 | $35.00 | Late annual report filing. | Do not wait if your record needs maintenance. |
| Name Reservation | $10.00 | Holding a business name before filing. | Search existing names before reserving. |
| Assumed Business Name Registration | $20.00 | Registering an assumed business name. | Useful for DBA-style naming. |
| Certificate of Existence | $5.00 | Official proof for banks, vendors, agencies or contracts. | Order after confirming exact entity. |
| Certified Copy Requests | $10.00 | When a plain copy is not enough. | Check the required document first. |
| 24-Hour / 1-Hour Processing | $20 / $100 | Expedited handling. | Confirm official options at checkout. |
Common Montana Business Search Problems and Fast Fixes
Most failed searches happen because the user enters too much, searches the wrong field or trusts a third-party letter.
No results found
Remove LLC, Inc, Corp, Company, punctuation and extra words. Search only the strongest unique part of the name.
Too many results
Add one more unique word, compare registered agent or principal details, and open the record before deciding.
Know the person only
Use Principal Search if you know the individual or organization connected with the entity but not the business name.
Annual report confusion
Use official Filing Actions from your business record. Verify any payment letter before paying.
Need official proof
Use Certificate of Existence or certified copy request only after confirming the correct entity record.
Solicitation concern
Montana SOS says certain letters asking for annual report or certificate money are not affiliated with the office.
Montana Secretary of State Business & UCC Phone, Address and Map
Use this contact information for Montana business portal, registration, renewal, UCC, lien and business record questions.
Business Entity & UCC
Phone: 406-444-3665
Fax: 406-444-3976
Use for: portal issues, registering, renewing, UCC liens and business-service questions.
Physical address
State Capitol, Room 260
1301 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59620
Mailing address
P.O. Box 202801
Helena, MT 59620-2801
Use the mailing address only when the official filing instruction says to mail documents.
Official Montana Business Entity Resources Use These After Reading
These are official Montana Secretary of State pages and portal actions connected to business lookup, filing, certificates, copies, principal search and fees.
Montana Business Search
Main official lookup for Montana business names and entity records.
Open business searchBusiness & UCC hub
Central Montana SOS page for business search, filing portal, annual reports, certificates, agents and UCC services.
Open hubBusiness Filing Portal
Use to register a new business or maintain an existing business after signing in.
Open portalPrincipal Search
Search individual or organization principals connected with Montana business records.
Search principalsCertificates or copies
Request business information, certificates or copies through the official Montana SOS portal.
Request infoBusiness fee sheet
Official fee list for corporations, LLCs, LLPs, assumed names, certificates, copies and expedited processing.
View feesCommercial agents
Find or review commercial agent resources from the Montana SOS Business & UCC section.
Agent resourcesUCC services
Use UCC services separately for lien filings, not ordinary business entity name lookup.
Open UCCContact and feedback
Use the official contact page for Business & UCC portal problems and support details.
Contact SOSMontana Business Entity Search FAQ
Is the Montana business entity search free?
Yes. Montana’s public Business Search portal can be used to look up business records. Fees apply when you file documents, request certificates, request copies, process annual reports after the deadline, or use other paid services.
Where do I search for a Montana LLC or corporation?
Use the official Montana Secretary of State Business Search portal at biz.sosmt.gov/search/business.
Can I search Montana businesses by principal?
Yes. Montana provides a Principal Search for individual or organization business principal lookup.
How do I file a Montana annual report?
Search for your business record in the official portal, click the business name, and use Filing Actions. The SOS menu labels annual reports as due April 15.
How much is a Montana annual report?
The official fee page lists annual reports for corporations and LLCs as waived before April 15 and $35 after April 15.
How much does it cost to form a Montana LLC?
The official fee page lists Articles of Organization for a Montana LLC at $35, plus $50 for each series member named in a series LLC.
How much does it cost to form a Montana profit corporation?
The official fee page lists Articles of Incorporation for a profit corporation at $35.
How much is a Montana Certificate of Existence?
The official fee page lists Certificate of Existence at $5 for domestic corporations and LLCs.
How do I get Montana business certificates or copies?
Search the business record first, confirm the correct entity, then use the official Request Certificates or Copies tool from the Montana SOS portal.
Are Montana annual report letters always official?
No. Montana SOS warns that some letters asking businesses to pay for annual reports or certificates are not affiliated with the office. Verify through the official SOS portal before paying.
Who do I call for Montana business entity help?
Call Montana Business Entity & UCC at 406-444-3665. The physical address is State Capitol, Room 260, 1301 6th Avenue, Helena, MT 59620.
Does a Montana SOS record prove a business is licensed or trustworthy?
No. A Montana SOS record mainly shows business filing information. Licenses, taxes, insurance, permits and fraud concerns may require separate agency checks or professional advice.
Final Practical Advice
For most users, the safest Montana business entity search workflow is: search the business name, open the matching record, confirm entity type and status, review registered agent and principal details, then use Filing Actions, annual report, certificates or copies only from the official SOS portal.
Best path: Official Business Search → open business detail → verify status and agent → check principals if needed → use Filing Actions or Request Certificates/Copies only after confirming the exact entity.
Editorial verification note: official Montana Secretary of State Business & UCC resources checked on July 13, 2026. This guide is informational and does not provide legal, tax, licensing, fraud-investigation, or business formation advice.