Foreign corporation certificate of authority
Montana Foreign Corporation Certificate of Authority
A corporation formed in another state registers with Montana on the Certificate of Authority. The $70 filing fee goes to Montana; our $199 covers preparing and filing it plus the first year of Montana registered agent service, for $269 at checkout. Montana sets its own proof rule for foreign corporations.
Montana corporation certificate of authority at a glance
- Filing
- Certificate of Authority (no form number)
- State fee
- $70 filing fee
- Total with us
- $269, first year of Montana registered agent service included
- Home-state certificate
- Set by the state
- Montana yearly filing
- Annual Report, no fee, every year
- Filed with
- Montana Secretary of State, Business Services
What the Montana filing asks for
For the filing, Montana needs:
- The exact name of your corporation as formed
- The state it was formed in and its date of formation
- A Montana registered agent with a street address there; we fill in ours
- A principal office address
Corporation into Montana, by home state
Every home state pays the same $269 at checkout for Montana.
| Formed in | Home-state certificate | First year |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Alaska | Certificate of Compliance, if asked | $269 |
| Arizona | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Arkansas | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| California | Certificate of Status, if asked | $269 |
| Colorado | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Connecticut | Certificate of Legal Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Delaware | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Florida | Certificate of Status, if asked | $269 |
| Georgia | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Hawaii | Good Standing Certificate, if asked | $269 |
| Idaho | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Illinois | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Indiana | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Iowa | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Kansas | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Kentucky | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Louisiana | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Maine | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Maryland | Certificate of Status, if asked | $269 |
| Massachusetts | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Michigan | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Minnesota | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Mississippi | Certificate of Good Standing / Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Missouri | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Nebraska | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Nevada | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| New Hampshire | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| New Jersey | Standing Certificate, if asked | $269 |
| New Mexico | Certificate of Good Standing and Compliance, if asked | $269 |
| New York | Certificate of Status, if asked | $269 |
| North Carolina | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| North Dakota | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Ohio | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Oklahoma | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Oregon | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Pennsylvania | Subsistence Certificate, if asked | $269 |
| Rhode Island | Certificate of Status / Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| South Carolina | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| South Dakota | Certificate of Good Standing/Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Tennessee | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Texas | Certificate of Fact - Status, if asked | $269 |
| Utah | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Vermont | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Virginia | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
| Washington | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| West Virginia | Certificate of Existence, if asked | $269 |
| Wisconsin | Certificate of Status, if asked | $269 |
| Wyoming | Certificate of Good Standing, if asked | $269 |
Montana registered agent rule
Montana requires every registered foreign corporation to keep a registered agent there. The agent must agree to serve before Montana accepts the appointment. A resigning agent stays responsible for 31 days after filing the resignation. Our $199 includes the first year of Montana registered agent service, then $149 a year.
Montana yearly filings
Once registered, your corporation files the Montana Annual Report every year, with no filing fee, due April 15. The Montana filing window opens January 1 and closes April 15. Filing it late adds $15.
How long Montana takes
We file it online with the Montana Secretary of State.
Montana foreign corporation questions
Do I have to register my corporation in Montana?
Yes, if it was formed in another state and does business there. An office, staff or regular sales there usually mean registering.
How much does foreign corporation registration in Montana cost?
$269 at checkout: the $70 filing fee plus our $199, which includes the first year of registered agent service.
What form does Montana use?
The Certificate of Authority, filed with the Montana Secretary of State.
What does it cost each year to stay registered in Montana?
$149 a year: no fee for the Annual Report and $149 for our registered agent service. The home state's own yearly filing stays separate.
Do I need a registered agent in Montana?
Yes. Montana requires one for every corporation registered there from another state. Ours is included for the first year, then $149 a year.
Can I form a new Montana corporation instead?
It is possible, but that is a separate company that files Montana's Annual Report (no fee), while the original keeps its home-state filings. Registering keeps one company in both states.
Is the Montana filing the same for an LLC?
No: LLCs file their own registration ($70 in state fees, the same fee), and corporations file this one.
Is this a certificate of authority?
Yes. Montana issues a certificate of authority once the filing is approved.