Foreign registration · Form FBE

Montana Corporation Foreign Registration in Kentucky

A corporation formed in Montana that wants to do business in Kentucky files Form FBE, with $90 in state fees. Kentucky asks nothing of Montana here, not even the Certificate of Existence. We file it with the Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings from your Montana records, then serve as your registered agent there for year one.

Montana vs Kentucky: the paperwork

	Montana formed here	Kentucky registering here
Document	Montana Certificate of Existence (not needed here)	Form FBE, Certificate of Authority (Foreign Business Entity)
State fee	$5	$90 at order
How it is handled	Montana: online	Filed with Kentucky
Office	Montana Secretary of State, Business Services	Kentucky Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings
Official page	biz.sosmt.gov	web.sos.ky.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, no fee, every year	Annual Report, $15, every year
Due	April 15	On or before June 30
Agent	Your Montana registered agent	Our Kentucky registered agent

How Montana companies register with Kentucky

We prepare and file Form FBE
It lists us as your Kentucky registered agent, next to your Montana name and formation date. No Montana paperwork holds up the Kentucky filing. After approval, your Montana corporation is registered with Kentucky.

Your Montana name and Kentucky's rules

We check your exact Montana name against Kentucky's records before filing.

Agents: Kentucky and Montana

Montana and Kentucky both call it a registered agent. Your current registered agent stays for Montana; ours takes Kentucky's papers and notices.

Staying in good standing in Montana and Kentucky

Each year your corporation files Montana's Annual Report (no fee) and Kentucky's Annual Report ($15). With our $149 registered agent renewal, Montana plus Kentucky comes to $164 a year. The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, Montana to Kentucky

An LLC formed in Montana files Form FBE with Kentucky ($90 in state fees, the same; no home-state certificate is needed). After that come Montana's Annual Report ($20) and Kentucky's Annual Report ($15). See the LLC filing.

The other way: Kentucky into Montana

A corporation formed in Kentucky that registers with Montana files Montana's registration (no form number) with $70 in state fees. See that filing.

Common questions: Montana to Kentucky

Does my Montana company need to register in Kentucky?

Yes, once a Montana business operates there; Kentucky registers it as a foreign corporation.

Is this a certificate of authority?

Yes: Kentucky issues one to Montana corporations once the form is approved.

How much does the Kentucky registration cost?

$289 at checkout, with nothing to pay Montana.

Do I need Montana's certificate of good standing?

No, Kentucky takes Form FBE without it.

How long does the Kentucky registration take?

Kentucky's standard processing takes up to 3 business days; nothing comes from Montana first.

What are the yearly costs for Montana and Kentucky?

$164 a year: our $149 registered agent renewal, nothing to Montana and $15 to Kentucky for the yearly reports.

Does Kentucky require a registered agent?

Yes: the Montana registered agent stays, and ours covers Kentucky for year one.

Can I form a new Kentucky corporation instead?

Yes, but Montana keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files Kentucky's Annual Report ($15), and the original keeps Montana's Annual Report.

How do I withdraw from Kentucky later?

Montana companies leave by filing a Certificate of Withdrawal (Foreign Business Entity); until then, Kentucky's report stays due alongside Montana's filings.

Official sources

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