In Short: How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Montana
Montana’s certificate of good standing is called a Certificate of Existence. The Montana Secretary of State, Business Services Division, issues it, and you order it online only through the biz.sosmt.gov Request Information form. The Secretary of State’s fee page lists the domestic Certificate of Existence at $5. Expedited processing costs $20 for 24-hour service or $100 for 1-hour service. The state does not publish a standard processing time.
- Official name: Certificate of Existence (Montana’s good standing certificate)
- Issued by: Montana Secretary of State, Business Services Division
- Fee: $5 for a domestic Certificate of Existence; $15 for a Certificate of Fact
- How to order: Online only, through the Request Information form on biz.sosmt.gov
- Turnaround: Standard time not published; $20 for 24-hour or $100 for 1-hour expedite
- Free status check: biz.sosmt.gov business search
- What keeps you in good standing: Annual report filed January 1 to April 15 (free), or $35 after April 15, and a registered agent on record
In Montana, the document a bank or another state calls a certificate of good standing is the Certificate of Existence. It comes from the Secretary of State’s Business Services Division, and every order goes through the online biz.sosmt.gov system. This guide covers the order steps, the $5 fee, the free April 15 annual report window, and the Department of Revenue certificate that most reinstatements require. For other states, see how to get a certificate of good standing.
What a Montana Certificate of Good Standing Is
A Montana Certificate of Existence is the Secretary of State’s official confirmation that a Montana LLC or corporation exists on the state’s records. It is the document to send whenever a requester asks for a Montana certificate of good standing.
The Secretary of State also issues a Certificate of Fact ($15) and certified copies of filings ($10). Order the Certificate of Existence unless the requester names one of those documents.
Who asks for a Montana Certificate of Existence:
- Banks opening an account for a Montana LLC or corporation
- Other states’ filing offices, when a Montana entity registers there as a foreign entity
- Lenders and SBA loan underwriters
- Payment processors and marketplaces verifying a seller
- Buyers during the sale of a business
- Montana licensing boards and local permit offices
How to Order a Certificate of Existence in Montana
Montana takes certificate orders online only, through the biz.sosmt.gov Request Information form. The Secretary of State’s help article on business documents and certificates explains the request.
- Look up the entity in the biz.sosmt.gov business search and confirm its status and exact name.
- Open the Request Information form on biz.sosmt.gov.
- Enter the business and choose Certificate of Existence.
- Add 24-hour ($20) or 1-hour ($100) expedited processing if you need it.
- Pay the fee shown at checkout.
- Receive the certificate through the biz.sosmt.gov system.
Montana Certificate of Good Standing Fees and Processing Time
The figures below come from the Secretary of State’s fee page, which prices each certificate separately. Confirm the total at checkout before you pay.
| Method | Fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Existence, domestic LLC or corporation (online) | $5 | Not published by the state |
| Certificate of Fact (online) | $15 | Not published by the state |
| Certified copies of filings (online) | $10 | Not published by the state |
| 24-hour expedite | $20 added to the fee | Within 24 hours |
| 1-hour expedite | $100 added to the fee | Within 1 hour |
A domestic Certificate of Existence with 24-hour expedite costs $25 in total. With 1-hour expedite, the total is $105.
How to Check Montana Good Standing Status for Free
The biz.sosmt.gov business search is free. Search by business name to see whether the entity is active, involuntarily dissolved or expired. The Secretary of State’s help article on involuntary dissolution and expired status explains those labels.
Our Montana business entity search guide walks through the search screens.
How a Montana LLC Stays in Good Standing
Every Montana LLC and corporation files an annual report with the Secretary of State. The fee is waived when you file between January 1 and April 15. After April 15, the fee is $35. The Secretary of State’s annual report help article covers the filing in biz.sosmt.gov.
- File the annual report between January 1 and April 15 to pay nothing.
- If you miss April 15, file right away and pay $35.
- Keep a registered agent in Montana on record. Failure to maintain one is a ground for involuntary dissolution.
- Pay any fees owed to the Secretary of State, since missed filings and fees lead to involuntary dissolution.
Compare Montana’s free filing window with other states in our list of annual report filing requirements by state.
What to Do If Your Montana Business Is Not in Good Standing
A domestic Montana corporation or LLC can reinstate within 5 years of dissolution. The Secretary of State’s reinstatement help article lists the steps:
- Search biz.sosmt.gov to confirm the entity’s status and the missing annual reports.
- Request a Title 15 certificate from the Montana Department of Revenue through its Transaction Portal, unless the entity is exempt.
- File each missing annual report, at $35 per report.
- Pay the reinstatement fee: $35 for an LLC or $30 for a profit corporation.
- Appoint a registered agent if the entity lost its agent.
- Order a new Certificate of Existence once the record shows the entity as active.
For the general process across states, see how to reinstate an administratively dissolved LLC.
Montana Tax Good Standing vs Secretary of State Certificate
The Secretary of State’s Certificate of Existence covers the entity’s filing record. The Montana Department of Revenue issues a separate Title 15 certificate, requested through the Department of Revenue Transaction Portal.
Most entities need the Title 15 certificate to reinstate with the Secretary of State. Single-member LLCs that are not taxed as corporations are exempt from that requirement. The Secretary of State’s reinstatement help article explains when it applies. For a bank or another state’s filing office, send the Certificate of Existence.
Using a Montana Certificate in Another State
When a Montana LLC or corporation registers in another state, that state’s filing office asks for a current certificate of good standing from Montana. Send the Certificate of Existence, and add the $20 24-hour expedite if the filing is time sensitive. For how the two documents relate, read certificate of good standing vs certificate of authority.
$0 formation fee plus the state filing fee. Registered agent free for the first year.
Montana Certificate of Good Standing FAQs
Does Montana issue a Certificate of Good Standing?
Montana issues a Certificate of Existence, which serves as the state’s certificate of good standing. It comes from the Secretary of State’s Business Services Division. Send it whenever a requester asks for a Montana certificate of good standing.
How much does a Montana Certificate of Existence cost?
The Secretary of State’s fee page lists the domestic Certificate of Existence at $5. Expedited processing adds $20 for 24-hour service or $100 for 1-hour service. Confirm the total at checkout.
How do I order a Montana Certificate of Existence?
Order it online through the Request Information form on biz.sosmt.gov. Montana does not take certificate orders by mail.
When is the Montana annual report due?
The annual report is free if filed between January 1 and April 15. After April 15, the fee is $35. Missed filings lead to involuntary dissolution.
What is a Montana Title 15 certificate?
It is a certificate from the Montana Department of Revenue, requested through its Transaction Portal. Most entities need it to reinstate after dissolution. Single-member LLCs not taxed as corporations are exempt.
Fees verified against official Montana sources in October 2026. State fees change; confirm the current amount on the Montana Secretary of State site before you order.
