Certificate of Good Standing Montana
A Montana certificate of good standing verifies that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
In our Certificate of Good Standing Montana guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Montana.
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How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Montana?
You can obtain your certificate of good standing, known as a certificate of existence in Montana, by requesting it from the Secretary of State.
There are two main steps for getting your certificate of good standing:
2. Order your certificate of good standing
What is a certificate of good standing? A certificate of good standing is a state document that verifies your business was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
Step 1. Make Sure Your Montana Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Montana certificate of existence, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Montana, you must follow federal, state, and local licensing guidelines. This can include regulations like health permits and building permits.
You can find out more about state licensing requirements with the State of Montana website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Montana state tax. This can include withholding tax or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Montana does not have a state sales tax.
Annual Reports
All Montana LLCs and corporations must file an annual report. This report verifies the business’s basic information including its principal office address and registered agent information.
The annual report must be filed online with the Secretary of State each year by April 15. The filing fee is $20.
Step 2. Order Your Montana Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a Montana certificate of existence from the Secretary of State. This can be done online.
ORDER A MONTANA CERTIFICATE OF EXISTENCE
Order Online With the Secretary of State
Order OnlineFiling Cost: $5
Need Help Filing?
Use a professional service to help you order your Montana Certificate of Existence
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Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Montana?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of existence to run your business in Montana, there are several instances where you may need to get one. These include:
- Purchasing business insurance
- Applying for business loans
- Opening a business checking account
- Registering to do business in other states
Montana Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
A certificate of good standing is a legal document that confirms that your business is compliant with state regulations.
In Montana, a certificate of good standing is known as a certificate of existence.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of status or certificates of compliance.
You can get a Montana certificate of existence by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online.
In Montana, ordering a certificate of existence costs $5.
Because many banks and insurance companies will want a business’s certificate of good standing in order to do business, we recommend getting one as soon as possible.
A Montana certificate of existence does not have a set expiration date. However, requesters — such as banks, creditors, and foreign business states — often have their own guidelines for a certificate's validity.
Obtaining a Montana certificate of existence means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Montana businesses often need a certificate of existence in order to do business outside of Montana, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Montana businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of existence. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Montana or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Montana certificate of existence, the Secretary of State will email it to you.