Montana Registered Agent Change in 2026: Filing Steps for LLCs and Corporations
A Montana LLC gets a letter saying the current registered agent is discontinuing service. The clock starts. The LLC needs a new agent and a filed change with the Secretary of State. Montana registered agent change in 2026 requires the Statement of Agent Change form, a $15 filing fee, and the new agent’s Montana street address. Everything else is noise.
What Triggers a Montana Registered Agent Change Filing
The most common reasons LLCs and corporations change agents: the current agent raised fees, discontinued service, or the business simply wants a different agent. The Montana Secretary of State business services confirms the change requires filing the Statement of Agent Change form with the SOS. No phone call updates the record. No letter does either. Only the filed form changes the registered agent of record.
The Statement of Agent Change Form: What It Covers
The Statement of Agent Change form updates the agent of record with the Montana Secretary of State. It requires the LLC or corporation’s entity ID number, the current agent’s name, the new agent’s name and Montana address, and an authorized signature. IRS small business resources confirm the registered agent is the address of record for state-level official mail. BLS Montana business statistics tracks LLC formations in the state. Department of Labor EBSA compliance page confirms registered agent rules apply to LLCs. SBA small business guide to Montana notes the filing is $15 online, no notarization required.
Montana Registered Agent Physical Address Requirement
The new agent must have a physical Montana street address. No PO boxes. The Montana SOS filing instructions confirm the address standard. An out-of-state LLC using an agent with no Montana address will have filings returned. Alaska corporate records standard mirrors Montana’s address rule.
Online vs. Mail: How to File the Agent Change
Online filing at the SOS portal processes same business day. Mail filings add transit time and risk. The $15 fee is the same either way. Online wins for urgent agent discontinuation notices. Montana entity search verifies the current agent of record. The IRS EIN records update separately from the SOS filing.
After Filing: Confirming the Update
Check the Montana entity record the next business day. Confirm the new agent name and address appear correctly. Errors on the form mean delays. An out-of-state LLC that filed the change but got the address wrong will receive compliance mail at the old address. Pull the record and verify before assuming the update is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the agent change take?
Online filings process same business day. Mail takes one to two weeks plus transit. The new agent is not active until the SOS processes the form.
What does the change cost?
$15 online. No notarization required. Mail adds transit time and risk.
Can a corporation change agents mid-lawsuit?
Yes. File promptly so the new agent receives service of process. Montana law does not pause for ongoing disputes.
What if the old agent's notice has a deadline?
File online before the deadline. Montana grants no grace periods for missed discontinuation windows.
Does the new agent need a Montana address?
Yes. A physical Montana address is required. PO boxes are not accepted for registered agent representation.
Related Reading
- Alaska Compliance Watch 2026: What to Review Between Formation, Licensing, and Biennial Filing Dates
- Alabama Compliance Watch 2026: What to Watch Between Formation and Renewal
File the Statement of Agent Change Before the Old Agent Stops Service
Montana registered agent change in 2026 means filing the Statement of Agent Change online. $15, same-day processing. The new agent must have a Montana street address. No PO boxes, no phone filings, no letters. Only the filed form updates the SOS record. Get it done online the same day the notice arrives.
