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Understanding the Importance of a Montana Registered Agent for Your Business

By Marc Guberti

Published on 26 Jul 2023 4 min read

Starting an LLC in Montana can help the community by providing jobs and giving residents more things to do in the area. Some business owners decide to incorporate their companies and go through the legal business formation process. While this process results in several perks after your business becomes a legal entity, you will need a Montana registered agent. 

Registered agents are critical for legal entities like corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies, and you will need one for your company. This guide will explain the importance of a Montana registered agent.

What Is a Montana Registered Agent?

A Montana registered agent is someone who is available during business working hours to receive documents and ensure legal requests get responded to on time. It’s essential for this person or agency to be available at all times, as they can miss important documents and deadlines if they take a vacation.

What Is a Registered Office in Montana?

A registered office in Montana is a designated address where a company receives legal and tax documents. This registered office must be a physical location and cannot be a post office box. You can use your home address if you want to be your own registered agent. However, it’s better for your privacy to work with a registered agent or a registered agent service instead of doing it yourself.

What Are the Legal Duties of a Montana Registered Agent?

A Montana registered agent performs several duties for a legal business entity. Here are some of the expectations:

• Having a physical address in Montana
• Receiving documents on behalf of the business
• Reviewing the documents and identifying documents that need attention
• Sending documents to the business owner and alerting them of urgent documents
• Being available during regular business hours throughout the year

Why Is a Registered Agent Required in Montana?

A registered agent acts as the business’s point of contact. The state will know where to send any documents that relate to your business if you have a registered agent. This point of contact allows the business owner to receive important filing documents and urgent legal documents that require a quick response. Every state requires that each business has a registered agent.

Does Montana Require Registered Agent Consents?

Yes, Montana requires the consent of a registered agent. The agent must provide a written document verifying that they will work for the business owner and be the point of contact.

When Do You Need a Montana Registered Agent?

You need a Montana registered agent as soon as you start your LLC. Registered agents are legally required, and your company can lose its LLC status if it does not have a registered agent. 

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Montana?

Any Montana resident who is 18 years or older can become a registered agent. Montana-based businesses cannot have registered agents with physical addresses outside of the state. Post office boxes do not count as qualifying addresses for registered agents.

How to Choose a Registered Agent Service in Montana?

Business owners can choose from several registered agent services in Montana. Listed below are some factors that can help business owners find the ideal registered agent service for their needs.

Service Cost

LLCs have several costs that often include registered agent service expenses. You should compare registered agent services based on their costs and stick with a service that is reasonably priced. Most registered agent services cost between $100 and $300 per year.

Features 

Many registered agent services list their features on their websites. You can find basic features, such as online account access, mail scanning, and mail forwarding. Some registered agent services also help with LLC formation and provide additional perks. Business owners should compare services to see which ones offer the best features and give you the most for your money.

Reputation

A registered agent will receive critical business documents. You need an agent who can reliably send you documents and let you know about important requests. Business owners should read online reviews of registered agent services in Montana to gauge which one suits them the most.

What Happens if You Don’t Have a Montana Registered Agent?

If you do not have a Montana registered agent, your company can lose its corporate status. You can also miss important documents that are time sensitive, such as lawsuits and business filing documents. A business must have a registered agent to become a corporate entity and maintain corporate benefits.

How to Change Registered Agents in Montana?

You may have to change your corporation’s registered agent for several reasons. Some business owners don’t want to be their own registered agents anymore. Other business owners want to switch registered agent services, or their designated agent may want to retire. 

You can make the change in your Montana Annual Report. Corporate business owners must fill out this report every year and submit it between January 1st and April 15th. If you need to change your registered agent after April 15th, you can file a Registered Agent/Office Change by Entity form with the Secretary of State. You have to fill out the form online.

Establish a Strong Foundation for Your LLC

A registered agent is a vital individual for any corporation. This person receives important documents and organizes them for the business owner. Critical documents get sent to the business owner right away, enabling a quicker response. While a registered agent is important for your business, there are several components to a successful business. One of those components is effective financial management.

If you need help with crunching the numbers, managing invoices, and staying on top of expenses, Doola can help. Its bookkeeping software can act as a useful companion that strengthens your business finances. You can get started with doola books for as little as $50 a year.

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