Jake Lawson here. After helping over 1,200 entrepreneurs launch their LLCs, I get this question daily: “Jake, how long will my Montana LLC take?” The short answer? About a week through standard filing, but Montana offers some surprisingly fast expedited options that most people don’t know about.
Let me break down exactly what to expect—no sugar-coating, no marketing fluff.
The Reality of Montana LLC Processing Times
Here’s what you’re actually looking at for Montana LLC approval:
Standard Online Filing: 5-6 business days
Priority Processing: 24 hours (add $20)
Expedited Rush: 1 hour (add $100)
Notice something? Montana ditched mail filings for LLCs. Smart move—mail was slow, unreliable, and frankly, unnecessary in 2025.
What These Timelines Actually Mean
When I say “5-6 business days,” that’s from the moment Montana’s Secretary of State receives your Articles of Organization until they stamp it approved and send your documents back electronically. No waiting for snail mail, no lost paperwork drama.
Think of it like ordering from Amazon Prime—except instead of getting socks delivered, you’re getting a legally recognized business entity.
Montana’s Speed Options: Worth the Extra Cost?
Let’s talk about those expedited options, because this is where most people make expensive mistakes.
Priority Processing ($20 Extra)
This gets your LLC approved within 24 hours. In my experience, it’s actually worth it if you’re trying to open business bank accounts quickly or have time-sensitive contracts waiting.
Real talk: I’ve seen Montana deliver these in 12-16 hours during normal business periods. Not bad for twenty bucks.
Expedited Rush ($100 Extra)
One-hour processing sounds impressive, but here’s the thing—unless you’re literally sitting at your computer waiting to download your approval documents for an emergency business deal, it’s overkill.
I’ve only recommended this option twice in 15 years. Both times involved international clients with same-day banking deadlines.
The Fastest Path to Your Montana LLC
Want the absolute fastest route? Here’s my battle-tested approach:
- File online yourself through Montana’s Secretary of State portal
- Add Priority processing for $20 (unless you’re genuinely not in a rush)
- Have your documents ready before you start—name searches, registered agent info, etc.
Why not hire a service if speed matters? Because filing services don’t make Montana work any faster. They’re still waiting in the same digital queue as everyone else. The only difference is you’re paying someone else to fill out a form you could complete in 15 minutes.
When Formation Services Actually Make Sense
Look, I’m not anti-formation service. I’ve worked with most of the major players, and some genuinely add value. But it’s not about speed—it’s about convenience and expertise.
Consider a formation service if:
- You want someone else handling the paperwork completely
- You need a registered agent service bundled in
- You’re forming multiple LLCs and want to streamline the process
- You’re an international founder dealing with U.S. regulations for the first time
Skip the service if:
- You’re just trying to save time (you won’t)
- You’re comfortable with basic online forms
- You want to save the service fees ($150-$300+ is typical)
Formation Services That Don’t Waste Your Money
When clients do want professional help, I typically point them toward:
Northwest Registered Agent – Been around 20+ years, solid customer service, and they’ll let you use their address during filing for privacy. No other major service offers this perk.
ZenBusiness – Good for simple formations, competitive pricing, though their upsells can get aggressive.
LegalZoom – Name recognition and resources, but you’ll pay for the brand premium.
The key is understanding what you’re buying. You’re paying for convenience and peace of mind, not faster processing.
Montana LLC Costs: The Full Breakdown
Since we’re talking timelines, let’s address the elephant in the room—cost. Here’s what you’re actually paying:
| Requirement | Cost | Notes |
| Name Search | Free | Use Montana’s online database |
| Articles of Organization | $35 | State filing fee |
| Registered Agent | $0-$125/year | Use yourself or hire a service |
| Operating Agreement | Free | Download templates online |
| EIN (Tax ID) | Free | Direct from IRS |
| Priority Processing | $20 | Optional but recommended |
| Annual Report | $20 | Due each year |
Bottom line: You can launch a Montana LLC for as little as $35 if you handle everything yourself, or around $55 with priority processing.
Step-by-Step Montana LLC Formation
Since I’m already explaining timelines, here’s the complete roadmap:
Step 1: Check Your LLC Name
Use Montana’s business search tool. This takes 5 minutes and prevents costly rejections later. Pro tip: have 2-3 backup names ready.
Step 2: Choose Your Registered Agent
You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Montana address and will be available during business hours. Otherwise, budget $100-125 annually for a service.
Step 3: File Articles of Organization
Montana’s online portal is straightforward. Required info includes:
- LLC name
- Registered agent details
- Duration (perpetual is fine)
- Management structure
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Montana doesn’t require this, but I’ve never recommended skipping it. Even single-member LLCs benefit from clear operating procedures.
Step 5: Get Your EIN
Apply directly through the IRS website. It’s free and takes about 15 minutes. Don’t pay third-party services for this.
Step 6: Open Business Banking
This is where that LLC approval timeline really matters. Most banks want to see your approved Articles of Organization before opening accounts.
Common Montana LLC Timeline Questions
Q: Can I start doing business before my LLC is approved? Technically no. Wait for approval before conducting business under your LLC name or signing contracts.
Q: What if my filing gets rejected? Montana’s rejection rate is low, but name conflicts are the usual culprit. This adds 1-2 weeks to your timeline while you refile with a different name.
Q: Do holidays affect processing times? Yes. State offices don’t process applications on holidays or weekends. Plan accordingly around federal holidays.
Q: Is Montana faster than other states? Montana’s 5-6 day standard processing is pretty middle-of-the-pack. States like Delaware can be faster, while others take weeks. But remember—speed shouldn’t determine where you form your LLC.
Should You Form Your LLC in Montana?
Here’s where I give you the straight talk most websites won’t: Don’t choose Montana just because it’s relatively fast.
Form in Montana if:
- You live or do business primarily in Montana
- You want privacy-friendly LLC laws
- You prefer minimal ongoing compliance requirements
Don’t form in Montana if:
- You live in another state and will need to register as a foreign LLC anyway
- You’re chasing marginal speed differences over more important factors
- You haven’t researched your home state’s requirements first
The Bottom Line on Montana LLC Timing
Montana offers solid, predictable processing times with reasonable expedited options. You’ll have your approved LLC in about a week with standard processing, or within 24 hours if you pay the $20 priority fee.
But here’s what matters more than speed: forming your LLC correctly the first time. I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs rush the process, skip important steps, and create headaches that take months to untangle.
Take the time to understand what you’re building. Your future self will thank you.
Ready to start your Montana LLC? Make sure you’ve got your name secured, your registered agent lined up, and your business purpose clearly defined. Speed is nice, but getting it right is everything.
Want more straight-shooting LLC advice? Check out our state-by-state formation guides and service reviews. I’ve tested them all so you don’t have to.