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Last Updated: May 27, 2025

Compare Companies to Find the Best Registered Agent Service in Montana

Registered Agent Service ProviderAnnual PriceFree 1st Year?Money-Back GuaranteeKnown for
ZenBusiness$119No, 50% off60 daysOverall value
Rocket Lawyer$249.99No30 daysLegal services and attorney access
Bizee (Incfile)$119Yes (with LLC)Basic formation
LegalZoom$249No60 daysLegal support
Northwest Registered Agent$125NoSolid choice

✨ ZenBusiness ✨

Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has quickly become a top player in the business formation and compliance space. With over 800,000 businesses formed and a strong reputation, our registered agent service offers solid value and top-tier support in Montana.

Pros

✔ First year is 50% off at $99 plus state fees (renews at $119/year)
✔ 60-day money-back guarantee
✔ 22521+ reviews with a 4.8 average rating
✔ Responsive, award-winning customer support via phone, email, and chat
✔ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

Cons

✘ Registered agent service is not included with formation packages
✘ No multi-state discount for businesses operating in more than one state

Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer is a legal services platform that also offers registered agent services as part of its suite of tools. While not the cheapest option, it may appeal to users who want bundled legal help. If you find value in their legal services plan, Rocket Lawyer is an intriguing choice for registered agent services in Montana. If you don’t need its subscription service, you can probably find a more suitable alternative.

Pros

✔ Includes access to legal documents and attorney consultations
✔ 30-day money-back guarantee
✔ Discount of 50% with legal plan subscription

Cons

✘ Registered agent service is basic and lacks advanced features
✘ Higher ongoing costs unless you’re on a subscription
✘ Not a core focus of their platform — limited functionality compared to standalone services

Bizee (Incfile)

Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, has been a popular choice for business formation and compliance services in Montana since 2004. With over 1 million businesses served, Bizee is best known for its basic LLC formation package (only pay Montana state fees), which includes one year of registered agent service.

Pros

✔ Free 1st year with LLC formation
✔ $119/year after the first free year
✔ Good value for basic compliance needs

Cons

✘ Registered agent service must be manually renewed
✘ Customer support is slower and less detailed than top competitors
✘ No refund policy on services once submitted

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is a household name in online legal services, with over 3 million businesses served. Its registered agent service is backed by brand trust and comes with useful compliance tools. While its registered agent service comes at a higher price, the added perks and company reputation may justify the cost for some Montana business owners.

Pros

✔ Compliance calendar and deadline reminders included
✔ 60-day money-back guarantee
✔ Large support team with extended hours

Cons

✘ $249/year pricing is one of the highest on this list
✘ No first-year discount or bundling options
✘ Less value for cost compared to smaller, more focused competitors

Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent has been offering registered agent services since 1998 and is known for being a solid choice in Montana. Northwest Registered Agent now has thousands of registered agent service subscribers across the country.

Pros

✔ $125/year pricing
✔ Scans all mail, not just government documents

Cons

✘ Not the cheapest option for LLC formation
✘ Limited refund policy
✘ No online compliance dashboard or automation tools

If you want to receive personalized registered agent service at reasonable price points, Northwest Registered Agent might be worth a look. However, keep in mind that Northwest charges at least $39 to form an LLC, so there are many cheaper options for that service in Montana.

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SPECIAL OFFER: Get 50% off Montana Registered Agent Services.

What is a Montana registered agent?

Every business entity in the state of Montana is required to have a registered agent. In fact, you won’t be allowed to finish the formation process for your company until you designate your registered agent.

Montana makes distinctions between two different types of registered agents: noncommercial and commercial. Practically speaking, there is no difference between how a commercial or noncommercial agent functions. But noncommercial registered agents are like “mom and pops” that serve as agents for their own businesses or those of a friend or family member. Commercial registered agents, however, are businesses or individuals who provide registered agent services as a profession.

The most important aspect of this role is receiving document deliveries from the state government and process servers, then alerting your business of the delivery before forwarding the documents to you. The role of the registered agent is so important because it establishes a point of contact for your business with the state and others so that they have a reliable place to get in touch with an official representative of your company at any time.

Montana provides a helpful list of noncommercial registered agents, but the best way to find commercial registered agents is through the business search box at the top of the Secretary of State’s homepage. Please note that by providing these resources, the Montana Secretary of State is not specifically endorsing any of these services. This is just commonly requested information that the state has elected to provide.

What does Montana law say about registered agents?

Each state has its own rules and regulations surrounding registered agents. For the most part, these laws are fairly similar, but it’s always worth taking a look to see what Montana requires.

In Montana, we’ll need to take a look at the Model Registered Agents Act, which says:

  • Every entity that files with the Secretary of State (both domestic and foreign) must appoint either a noncommercial or commercial registered agent.
  • If the agent is not a commercial registered agent, the noncommercial agent may be an individual resident of the state or a business with the authority to operate in the state.
  • An agent must be continuously maintained.

All of the companies we discussed above meet these regulations and are options for Montana registered agent service. When you’ve made your choice, you can indicate your registered agent’s name and address on your Articles of Organization.

What about small, Montana-only registered agent services?

As you’ve probably noticed, the registered agent services we’ve listed here serve businesses across the country. But if you Google “Montana Registered Agent,” you’ll probably see results for local services, too. These can be local entrepreneurs with a knack for clerical tasks, offices dedicated to serving businesses in their counties, or statewide companies. 

On one hand, using a local service can have its advantages. Some will be cheaper than nationwide firms (but not always). And each state has its own nuances for business compliance requirements, Montana included. A registered agent service that services Montana alone may have detailed knowledge about those requirements. Granted, most national services do an excellent job of understanding local requirements. But they might not give you the same “homegrown Montana” feeling as a local agent service.

That said, national businesses like ZenBusiness give you streamlined solutions. Let’s say you’re using a local Montana-only registered agent service, but it’s time to add locations in Idaho. You could search for an additional agent that services Idaho businesses. But that’s going to require a lot of additional paperwork, including new receipts, new automatic payments, more emails…you get the idea. But if you’re using a national service, you can cut down the “new” paperwork and focus on what really matters: growing your business.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you, and there’s no “wrong” answer. The most important thing is that you appoint one so you can run a compliant Montana business.

TLDR: Best Registered Agents in Montana

The role of a Montana registered agent is critical to your company’s compliance and legal standing. This position requires dealing with seemingly simple tasks, yet if they’re handled incorrectly, they could cost you a considerable amount of money in fines and could even potentially see the state dissolve your business.

While you can always change your registered agent down the line, we think it’s essential to pick the right registered agent for your business starting at the formation phase. You should also keep an eye on your compliance standing to ensure nothing goes awry along the way.

With ZenBusiness, you can purchase reliable registered agent service at an affordable rate, leaving this role in the hands of experts while you focus on growing your business.

FAQs Related to the Best Registered Agent Service in Montana

  • In Montana, there aren’t many complicated requirements for registered agent eligibility. Any individual or business entity authorized to conduct business in the state can serve as your company’s registered agent. The only requirements are that they have a permanent address in Montana and that your company itself can’t serve as its own registered agent (although you or one of your co-owners may assume this role individually).

    Montana is a bit unusual because it maintains a system of commercial and noncommercial registered agents. Both types of agents accomplish the exact same task: accepting service of process on your behalf. But commercial agents are required to register with the state because they offer registered agent services for profit. Noncommercial registered agents are appointed on a private basis. Ultimately, it’s up to you which type you pick; both types will meet statutory requirements.

  • Yes. If your registered agent is an individual, that person must live in Montana. If your agent is a business entity, that company must either be a domestic Montana business or one with the authority to conduct business in the state.

  • Montana keeps the process of changing your registered agent pretty simple. All you have to do is log in to ePass Montana and fill out the Statement of Change form. There is no filing fee for this document. For more information, see our Montana registered agent page.

  • If your registered agent chooses to resign and no longer serves as your agent, they will file a Statement of Resignation through ePass Montana to notify the Secretary of State and you of their resignation. The form becomes effective 31 days after being filed, so that gives you enough time to replace the resigned agent; in the meantime, they’ll still accept service of process for you.

  • Montana is one of the few states that actually doesn’t charge a filing fee for the Registered Agent Resignation or Statement of Change forms. So, as long as you file compliantly and don’t let your registered agent coverage lapse, you won’t incur any penalties or fees, keeping your filing fee at $0.

  • One common option is to serve as your company’s own registered agent or enlist the assistance of a trusted friend or family member. The other route is to hire an attorney or accountant to handle this role. Maybe you prefer the added professionalism these people can provide, maybe you have an existing relationship with an attorney or accountant you trust, etc.

  • The best place to learn more about forming a Montana LLC is our step-by-step guide. You might also be interested in checking out our list of the best best Montana LLC formation services.

Best Registered Agent Services Reviewed in All States

We break down the best registered agent services in every state. View all of our guides below.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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Written by Team ZenBusiness

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