Montana Foreign Qualification

Jun 18, 2025

Foreign qualification with the Secretary of State in Montana is the process by which a business that was originally formed in another state registers to do business in Montana. This allows the business to legally operate in Montana and ensures compliance with state laws and regulations.

There are 4 different ways to foreign qualify in Montana depending on your legal entity type and tax classification. Follow the guide below to help you register with the Secretary of State in Montana or use Mosey to do it.

Use Mosey to register with the Secretary of State in Montana.

Montana Foreign Registration for Corporation

All foreign nonprofits “transacting business” in Montana must register with the Secretary of State by filing a Certificate of Authority for Foreign Nonprofit Corporation form online. Montana provides a non-exhaustive list of activities that do not constitute “transacting business” in lieu of defining “transacting business.”

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You must continually maintain a registered agent in Montana to accept service of process at your principal office in Montana.

  2. Create Secretary of State Online Account

    If you have not already done so, navigate to the Montana Secretary of State Online Filing Portal page and click "Create An Account."

  3. File Certificate of Authority Online

    Log in to your Montana Secretary of State Online Filing Portal to file a Certificate of Authority for Foreign Nonprofit Corporation.

Montana Foreign Registration for LLP

If you are “transacting business” in Montana, you must register with the Secretary of State by filing a Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Partnership form online. Montana provides a non-exhaustive list of activities that do not constitute “transacting business” in lieu of defining “transacting business."

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You must continually maintain a registered agent in Montana to accept service of process at your principal office in Montana.

  2. Create Secretary of State Online Account

    If you have not already done so, navigate to the Montana Secretary of State Online Filing Portal page and click "Create An Account."

  3. File Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Partnership

    Log in to your Montana Secretary of State Online Filing Portal account to submit your Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Partnership.

Montana Foreign Registration for LLC

All foreign limited liability companies “transacting business” in Montana must register with the Secretary of State by filing a Foreign Limited Liability Company Certificate of Authority online. Montana provides a non-exhaustive list of activities that do not constitute “transacting business” in lieu of defining “transacting business."

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You must continually maintain a registered agent in Montana to accept service of process at your principal office in Montana.

  2. Create Secretary of State Online Account

    If you have not already done so, navigate to the Montana Secretary of State Online Filing Portal page and click "Create An Account."

  3. File Certificate of Authority Online

    Log in to your Montana Secretary of State Online Filing Portal account to submit your Foreign LLC Certificate of Authority.

Montana Foreign Registration for Corporation

All foreign corporations “transacting business” in Montana must register with the Secretary of State by filing a Foreign Corporation Certificate of Registration online. Montana provides a non-exhaustive list of activities that do not constitute “transacting business” in lieu of defining “transacting business.”

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You must continually maintain a registered agent in Montana to accept service of process at your principal office in Montana.

  2. Create Secretary of State Online Account

    If you have not already done so, navigate to the Montana Secretary of State Online Filing Portal page and click "Create An Account."

  3. File Foreign Corporation Certificate of Registration Online

    Log in to your Montana Secretary of State Online Filing Portal account to submit your Foreign Corporation Certificate of Registration.

What else do I need to know?

Once you are registered with the Secretary of State, you may have additional requirements to maintain your "good standing" in the state. Failing to do so can result in fines, back taxes, and forfeiting certain priveleges within the state.

Maintaining a Registered Agent

Most states require that you have a registered agent that can receive important mail from the Secretary of State should they need to contact you. There are many commercial options available or you can use Mosey to be your registered agent and keep your information private in Montana.

Annual Reports and Taxes

In addition to maintaining a registered agent, most states require you to file a report annually. Registration can also trigger state taxes such as a franchise tax or income tax. You can use Mosey to identify these additional requirements to maintain good standing in Montana.

Montana's Foreign Qualification Agencies

Review your compliance risks, free.

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

Illinois Minimum Wage Laws: Changes for 2025

Illinois employers face another round of wage adjustments this year as the state continues its commitment to higher worker compensation. These changes require businesses to adapt quickly or risk costly penalties. In this guide, we’re breaking down what Illinois businesses need to know about the changing minimum wage rules. Failing to follow these requirements could lead to hefty fines and legal troubles for unprepared employers. Key Takeaways Illinois minimum wage reached $15.

Paul Boynton | Mar 5, 2025

What is an LLC Annual Report? What's Included & How to File

The limited liability company (LLC) entity type provides many advantages—like reducing the owners’ personal liability, and providing flexibility in tax classification and management structure. Once you’ve established LLC status, you’ll need to comply with ongoing LLC compliance requirements to maintain LLC protections and avoid any penalties against your business. In most states, this includes filing an LLC annual report. What is an LLC annual report? An LLC annual report is a brief overview of key facts about a limited liability company (LLC).

Gabrielle Sinacola | Jun 30, 2023

HR Assessment: Evaluating Providers, Tools, Strategy & More

HR compliance can be downright overwhelming. The same goes for employee turnover, fostering a healthy culture, and ensuring HR actually helps drive growth rather than impede it. Unfortunately, with so many organizations operating with HR blind spots, those feelings are often well-founded. However, a comprehensive HR assessment illuminates these blind spots by evaluating everything from basic compliance to strategic initiatives. This thorough audit of tactical and strategic HR functions reviews initiatives, processes, and procedures to highlight strengths, pinpoint weaknesses, and provide a roadmap for improvement.

Paul Boynton | May 6, 2025

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.