Montana Secretary of State – MT SOS Business Search

Montana Secretary of State Business Division
Mailing Address: PO BOX 202801, Helena, MT 59620
Telephone: 1(404) 444-3665
Fax: 1(406) 495-0464
Website: www.biz.sosmt.gov
E-Mail: sosmt.gov/contact

Lookup a Business Entity

Step 1 – Start

Search business entities (Corporations, LLCs, and Limited Partnerships) by going to the Secretary of State’s Website. You will be able to perform a lookup by:

• Name – Be sure to enter as many matching terms as possible.
• *Registered Principals (*Must create an ePass Account)
• *UCC Search (*Must create an ePass Account)
• or you can Download all Corporate Records (Must purchase this information from the Secretary of State).

After making your selection, you will be sent to the Results Page (As Seen Below).

Step 2 – Choose Your Entity

As you can see the Secretary of State will help you find your listing by providing a preview of the entity’s Name, Type, City/State (Principal Office Address), and Status. When you have found your selection click on the blue text link and you will be brought to the Information Page (See Below).

Step 3 – Retrieve Information

You can now view all the details listed with the Secretary of State about the business including its Legal Name, ID Number, Type, State of Jurisdiction, Status, Expiration Date, Date of Incorporation, Last Annual Report Filed, Dissolved Date, Term, Shares Outstanding, and Registered Agent (Name and Address).

You may also have the option (at the top of the page) to get a Certificate of Existence, Retrieve Principals, or get a Certificate of Fact.

Step 4 – Steps to form your new Business in Montana

• Business name availability search (above)
• Internet domain availability search for website and email.
• Choose your entity type (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership, or Non-Profit Org)
• Obtain IRS EIN Number (employer identification number).  Create New IRS EIN Number
• Create Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that include describing the business purpose of the entity, naming the registered agent, directors, registered address, operating guidelines, dissolution provisions, and other information.
• Determine if the new entity requires any federal, state, or local business licenses.
• Determine payroll tax requirements.
• Determine federal, state, and local tax filing requirements.
• Establish the business physical and/or mailing address, phone number, voicemail, website, email address, and business cards.