The short answer is no.  The state of Montana does not legally require a lawyer to form a Montana Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Our detailed LLC Information page may help you understand some of the implications of forming a Montana LLC.  However, if there is anything about Forming a LLC in Montana that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Montana lawyer, a Montana accountant, or a Montana Business advisor before you form a LLC in Montana. 

Once you have made the decision to Form a LLC in Montana, a Montana lawyer can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new

You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Montana LLC before you submit your application to Form a LLC in Montana.

Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Montana LLC depends entirely on your business situation.  The Montana Secretary of State uses names on a first come first served basis.  So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Montana Company Name.

If the Name you have chosen for your new Montana LLC is already in use by a currently active Montana Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that LLC Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Montana Secretary of State.  "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As."

1. Choose a name for your Montana LLC
   
   Your Montana LLC name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide; or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
   
   In any case, the Montana LLC name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Montana LLC or other registered Montana business entity, such as a Montana Corporation or LLP.  The LLC name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Montana.  Your Montana LLC name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your Articles of Organization; and your Montana LLC name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
   
   The name of a Montana LLC must include the word "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation of one of these words.
   
   It's important to choose a good name for your Montana LLC because if you want to change it after you Form a LLC in Montana you will have to file amended Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State (and pay a fee).
   We will:
   

   • Check to make sure that your Montana LLC name is available
   • Make sure your Montana LLC name conforms to state of Montana regulations
   • Reserve your Montana LLC name with the Montana Secretary of State if necessary
2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Montana LLC
   
   Every Montana LLC must have an address that is physically located in the state of Montana.  This address is "registered" with the Montana Secretary of State.  The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
   
   The individual or company that is registered with the state of Montana to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Montana LLC is called a "Registered Agent" or "Agent for Service of Process".  You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Montana LLCs hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within the state of Montana or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
   
   We offer Registered Agent Services for your Montana LLC as part of your Montana LLC formation package
3. Determine who will be Members and who will Manage your Montana LLC
   
   The owners of a Montana LLC are called Members - not Partners or Shareholders.  (a Montana Limited Liability Company does not issue stock).  Members make all business decisions and realize the financial benefits generated by the Montana LLC.  Division of ownership and distribution of profits are decided by private agreement among the Members.  Each Montana LLC must have at least one Member.  Members need not live in the state of Montana or be citizens of the United States.
   
   Managers are responsible for the day to day operation of the Montana LLC.  Members elect or appoint Managers and have the power to remove them.  Managers may or may not be Members of the Montana LLC.  Management for your Montana LLC may be defined in your Articles of Organization or, more commonly, in an Operating Agreement.
4. Determine how you want your Montana LLC to be taxed
   
   The IRS does not recognize a Limited Liability Company as a classification for federal tax purposes.  Montana LLC Members can elect for the IRS to tax the LLC as a sole proprietorship, partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation.  This decision may be made after the Montana LLC is created.  If a single Member Montana LLC does not declare a tax classification it is taxed the same as a sole proprietorship.  A multiple Member Montana LLC that does not declare a tax classification is taxed as a general partnership.  More specific federal LLC tax information can be found at the IRS web site.
   
   If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Montana LLC and include it with your LLC formation documents.
5. File Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State
   
   A Montana Limited Liability Company is a type of business that is authorized by the state of Montana - not by the federal government.  In order to form a LLC in Montana you must file Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State. The Articles of Organization must include certain specific information about your Montana LLC.  If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Montana requirements they will be rejected.  You may subsequently amend the Articles of Organization for your Montana LLC but you will have to pay a fee to the state of Montana in order to make the changes official.
   
   We can prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State.  We've been doing it for over 20 years.
6. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) for your Montana LLC
   
   A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a business entity.  An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Montana LLC.  All Montana LLCs electing to be taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation are required to have a FEIN.
   
   If you do not elect to have your Montana LLC taxed as a Corporation you may still need to get a FEIN if it is composed of multiple members or if you plan to have employees.
   
   If you plan to form a Single Member Montana LLC you may not need a separate FEIN for the LLC if you have no employees.  The sole Member of a Single Member Montana LLC may be able to use his or her Social Security Number instead of applying for an FEIN.  You may request a FEIN for your Montana LLC for banking or state tax purposes, but an FEIN may not be required for federal tax purposes depending on your business circumstances.
   
   We can get a FEIN for your Montana LLC as soon as it is approved by the Montana Secretary of State.

1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
   
   An Operating Agreement defines the rules by which your Montana LLC will operate.  It is the core document that is referred to when issues concerning your LLC need to be resolved.  Operating Agreements may include requirements for almost anything that involves the management and operation of your Montana LLC.  By having an Operating Agreement all Members will be provided with a clear set of rules they have agreed upon thus reducing the likelihood of disagreement in the future.
   
   Items commonly included in an Operating Agreement for a Montana LLC:
   
   
   • Rights and duties of Members
   • Member contributions
   • Record keeping and reporting requirements
   • Distribution of profits
   • Allocation of losses

   • Management duties
   • Meeting requirements
   • Voting requirements
   • Admission and termination of Members
   • Dissolution procedures
   
   Although an Operating Agreement is not required in the state of Montana, if you plan to form a multiple Member Montana LLC it is highly advisable to have one.  Having an Operating Agreement will save you a lot of time and money should conflict arise down the line.  As your Montana LLC grows over time, you may amend your Operating Agreement as necessary.
   
   When your Montana LLC has an Operating Agreement your business will be governed by your own rules and not some canned business rules created by the state of Montana.
   
   We can create a customized Operating Agreement for your new Montana LLC and include it with your final Document package
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Montana
   
   It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Montana LLC.  Mixing personal and business funds may get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.  It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account for your Montana Limited Liability Company.  Specific requirements vary from bank to bank. 
   
   In most cases you will need a FEIN, a copy of your Montana LLC Articles of Organization, and a resolution identifying authorized signers if those names are not listed in the Articles.
   
   
3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
   
   Note that forming a Montana LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax registration certificate, or other required business permits.  A Montana LLC merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owner's personal liability.  You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
   
   Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Montana LLC you may need to get one or more city business licenses or permits.  The business licenses or permits that are required for your Montana LLC vary depending on your business activities and the specific locations within the state of Montana in which you want to conduct business.
   
   If your Montana LLC will be selling products in Montana you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate Montana state agency.  If your Montana LLC will be selling products in Montana you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Montana sales taxes if there are any.
   
   We can research and prepare the necessary forms for your required business licenses and permits and include them in your Montana LLC package.
4. File the required Montana LLC reports
   
   Each Montana LLC must file an Annual Report with the Montana Secretary of State.
   
   The Montana Annual Report includes basic information about your Montana LLC.  Failure to submit a properly completed Montana Annual Report to the Montana Secretary of State on or before the due date may subject the Montana LLC to being administratively dissolved in the state of Montana or having its authority to transact business in the state of Montana revoked by the Montana Secretary of State.  Penalties may accrue if you fail to file any Montana LLC Annual Report to the Montana Secretary of State by the due date.
   
   
5. Keep proper records of your Montana LLC on file
   
   Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Montana LLC:
   
   • Names and addresses of all Members and Managers of the Montana LLC
   • Articles of Organization for the Montana LLC and any Amendments to them
   • Copies of all tax returns and reports for the Montana LLC for the last 3 years
   • If the Montana LLC has an Operating Agreement, a copy of the Operating Agreement and any Amendments
   • Copies of any LLC Resolutions which have been adopted by the Montana LLC

In order to Form a LLC in Montana you'll need the following information about your new Company:

• The name of your new Montana LLC along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
  
• Physical address of the LLC office in Montana (not a PO Box)
  
• Name and address of your Montana Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
  
• Who is going to manage the day to day operation of your Montana LLC
• Names and addresses of each Manager of your Montana LLC
• Names and addresses of each Memeber of your Montana LLC
• When your Montana LLC will start and when it will cease to exist (normally the LLC starts on the date the application is filed and will exist perpetually)

Note that ALL the information that you provide when you Form a LLC in Montana becomes part of the public record.  The less information that you make public the better.  Our data entry forms include the absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a Limited Liability Company in Montana.

Processing times for new Montana LLC applications vary depending on the work load of the Secretary of State's staff.  We've found that normal processing of new Montana takes the state around 10-12 business days.  Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.  Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your Montana LLC. We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Montana Secretary of State.

In our experience 10-12 business days is the time it usually takes the Montana Secretary of State to process a new Montana LLC application. We get your Montana LLC application to the MT Secretary of State ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Montana LLC application process.

The Montana Secretary of State offers two expedited processing options for new Montana LLC filings. For an additional $20 the Secretary of State will process your new Montana LLC filing within 24 hours. For $100 the Secretary of State will process your new Montana LLC filing within one hour.

The state of Montana charges $80.00 to form a new LLC.  This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization from the MT Secretary of State.  If you choose All Business Documents to help you form your LLC in Montana, our processing fees are $125.00.  We start processing your new Montana LLC order as soon as we get it.

Total cost includes:

• Name Check and Reservation
• Prepare Articles of Organization
• File Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State
• Certified Copies of Articles
• Montana LLC Checklist
• Priority Mail Delivery
• Unlimited Customer Support

You want to do business in the state of Montana but are registered as a Domestic LLC in another state.  In order to legally conduct business in the state of Montana you must register with the Montana as a Montana Foreign LLC.  The process of registering as a Foreign LLC in the state of Montana is called Montana LLC Foreign Qualification. 

The process of Montana LLC Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic LLC in the state of Montana.  Your original formation documents (usually called Articles of Organization) and LLC Operating Agreement apply to your Montana Foreign LLC.  The Members and Managers of your Domestic LLC have the same roles in the Montana Foreign LLC.