Run by the Secretary of State. It covers LLCs, corporations, and partnerships, with an online filing portal.
Montana Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
The Montana Secretary of State keeps business filings online, searchable by anyone for free. A quick name search confirms a company's status and registered agent, while an Advanced toggle and file-number lookup let you zero in on a single record.
Business Name Availability Check
State of Montana
What the Montana Business Search Covers
Each profile lists status, registration date, registered agent, principal information, and formation history.
Searching is free; filing uses an ePass Montana account.
How to Search by Business Name
-
1
Open the Montana business search
Go to the Secretary of State's business search, or use the direct link below. No account is needed to search.
-
2
Search by name, or use Advanced
A basic name search returns a capped set of results. Use the Advanced toggle to filter by entity type, status, or address, or search by file number for a single record.
-
3
Read the results
Results show matching entities with their status. Click an entity name to open its profile.
-
4
Review the entity profile
The profile shows status, registration date, registered agent name and address, principal information, and formation history.
-
5
File through ePass Montana
Filings, including the annual report, go through the online portal using an ePass Montana account.
Ready to try it? Open the official business search and run your query.
Search Montana businesses ↗All the Ways to Search Montana Records
Business Name
Search by name; results are capped, so refine with Advanced if needed. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗File Number
Retrieve a single record directly using the entity's file number.
Open this search ↗Advanced Filters
Filter by entity type, status, or address to narrow a broad search.
Open this search ↗Registered Agent
The registered agent name and address appear on each entity profile.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- A basic name search returns a capped set of results — refine with Advanced for more.
- Use the Advanced toggle to filter by entity type, status, or address.
- A file number search retrieves a single record directly.
- Searching is free and needs no account.
- Filing uses an ePass Montana account at the online portal.
- New entities file their first annual report between January 1 and April 15 of the next year.
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| File Number | The number the Secretary of State assigned to the entity. |
| Entity Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Status | Whether the entity is Active or in another condition. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Corporation, or LP. |
| Registration Date | The date the entity was formed in Montana or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Registered Agent | The name and Montana address of the agent designated to receive legal documents. |
| Principal Information | The principal office and the people associated with the entity. |
| Formation History | The entity's formation and filing history. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
-
1
Open the entity’s profile
Search by name or file number and click the entity to open its profile.
-
2
Review the filing details
The profile shows the registered agent, principal information, and formation history.
-
3
Sign in with ePass Montana
Create or sign in to an ePass Montana account at the online portal to file or order documents.
-
4
File the annual report
Use "File Annual Report" in the portal, then search for your business to complete the filing.
Annual report: Montana entities file an annual report between January 1 and April 15. The first one is due the calendar year after registration.
Montana Business Search - Common Questions
Is the Montana business search free?
Yes. Searching is free and needs no account.
Why are my results capped?
A basic name search returns a limited set. Use the Advanced toggle to filter by entity type, status, or address, or search by file number for a single record.
What is ePass Montana?
It is the state login used to file business documents, including the annual report, through the online portal.
Does Montana require an annual report?
Yes. The first annual report is due between January 1 and April 15 of the year after registration, then each year thereafter.
How do I find a company's registered agent?
Click the entity name in the results to open its profile, which lists the registered agent name and address.
A name is available in Montana. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.