How to Look Up an LLC in Montana (2026)
To look up an LLC in Montana, search the Secretary of State's business database by business name or filing number. The basic name search doesn't require an account.
The database covers LLCs, corporations, limited liability partnerships and other entities filed with the state. A free login is only needed to start a new business or manage one you already filed.
This guide covers the search steps. It also covers how to check a name against Montana's own trademark registry. And it covers who to call when the tool can't answer your question.
Quick Summary
- Search the Montana business database by name or filing number.
- Montana counts 141,011 small businesses, 99.2% of the state's total, per the SBA [1]. Search first to confirm your chosen name is free.
- Call or email the Business Entity & UCC office when the search tool leaves a question unanswered.
| Method | What to Enter | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Search | Full or partial LLC name | Checking name availability or finding a specific entity |
| Filing Number Search | The state-assigned filing number | Pulling up a record you already have on hand |
How to Search for an LLC in Montana
The Secretary of State's business database is the state's own search tool. It works the same way for a name check or a record you already know.
Search by Business Name or Filing Number
Type the business name into the search field. Or switch to the filing number if you have one on hand.
You can narrow a name search further with the advanced filters:
- Entity type
- Status (active, dissolved, delinquent and so on)
- County
- Registered agent
- Formation date
Contact the Montana Secretary of State's Office
Here's how to reach the Business Entity & UCC office:
- Phone: (406) 444-3665
- Fax: (406) 444-3976
- Email: sosbusiness@mt.gov
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-2801
Have the business name or filing number ready before you call or write. Add a short note on what you need.
How to Check If a Business Name Is Trademarked in Montana
Montana runs its own trademark registration through the Secretary of State. That's separate from the entity name search, so check both before you settle on a name.
1. Search the USPTO Database First
The USPTO's trademark search system covers marks registered at the federal level. A federal mark outranks a state-level registration or an unregistered mark. That's true even for a mark already in use inside Montana, so run this search first.
2. Check Montana's State Trademark Registration
Montana registers marks directly through the Secretary of State's office. The rule sits in state law: Title 30, Chapter 13, Part 3 of the Montana Code Annotated [2]. Registering a mark costs $20, plus $20 for each additional class. State registration doesn't override an existing common-law or federal right.
3. Search for Unregistered, Common-Law Use
A name doesn't need to be registered anywhere to cause a conflict. Search online and check business directories. Look at domain names and social accounts too. A business can use a name without ever registering it.
Reasons to Run a Montana LLC Search
The database earns its keep right before you start an LLC in Montana. The same tool answers a handful of other questions too:
- Narrow a search to just LLCs: use the entity-type filter instead of scanning past corporations and other business types.
- Search by a registered agent's name: useful for comparing registered agent services in Montana or finding who an agent represents.
- Check whether an entity is still on file: confirm this before you sign a contract or partner with a business.
- Research before you file paperwork: see what's already on file with a Montana LLC service to plan your own filing.
For a company registered somewhere else, see our guide to looking up an LLC. It covers the steps for wherever that LLC is registered. If you're closing a Montana entity instead, see our guide to dissolving an LLC in Montana.
FAQs
How Do I Fix a Montana LLC Search That Comes Up Empty?
Fix a search that comes up empty by trying a shorter or partial version of the name first. Double-check the spelling too. A sole proprietorship that never filed with the state is another common reason a search turns up nothing.
Can I Hold a Business Name in Montana Before Filing My Articles?
Yes. Hold a business name in Montana by filing a name reservation with the Secretary of State for a $10 fee. That holds the name while you finish preparing your Articles of Organization.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Certificate of Existence?
A Certificate of Existence for a domestic Montana LLC costs $5. A certified copy of a filed document costs $10 per copy.
Does Montana Charge a Fee for the Annual Report?
No, not for every filer. The annual report is free if you file before April 15, but it costs $35 after that date. Reinstating a dissolved LLC is a separate fee: $35, plus $35 for every year the entity stayed delinquent.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Montana_2025-State-Profile.pdf
- https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0300/chapter_0130/part_0030/section_0010/0300-0130-0030-0010.html
