How to Get Certificate of Good Standing in Montana (2025)

Get Montana Certificate of Good Standing

The Certificate of Good Standing in Montana is a significant document that is required if you expand your business to another state. When you file an LLC in Montana, you must submit a handful of documents to the Secretary of State. In case you take your business beyond the state border, you need this additional document, commonly known as the Certificate of Good Standing.

In this article, LLCBuddy editors share the ins and outs of Montana Certificate of Good Standing. You’ll also learn what the uses of this document are other than having a foreign LLC out of state. We shared how to get the Certificate of Good Standing in Montana. The Certificate of Good Standing is one of the most important documents your business needs. Whether it is the LLC filing or a corporation filing in Montana or any other form of business, the Certificate of Good Standing must be obtained. Let’s dive in and get your business one step closer to achieving its goals!

What is Certificate of Good Standing in Montana

The Certificate of Good Standing is a document that every business in Montana requires to obtain. This document states that the company (LLC, Corporation in Montana, Partnership, etc.) complies with the State government. In other words, the business has fulfilled all the legal requirements in Montana. Whether you form an LLC or any other form of business, you must get this document.

If you take your business to a different state, Certificate of Good Standing will be a necessary document to be produced. It shows that your business does not have any illegitimate or outlawed activities. Besides, to restore or reinstate an LLC in Montana after dissolution, you must obtain this document.

What Information You Have in Montana Certificate of Good Standing

The Certificate of Good Standing consists of very pivotal information related to your business. Following is the information your Certificate of Good Standing will have-

The entity type (LLC, Corporation, LLP, LP, or any other registered entity type) when it was formed
The date of filing the business entity (filing the formation document).
The current name and address of the business entity
Whether the business entity exists today
Name and address of the Registered Agent
The State where the document is issued
A declaration that the business entity has paid all the required taxes and complies with all applicable legal requirements.
A declaration that the business entity met all the requirements to get the document.

Who Should Obtain the Certificate of Good Standing

Any business entity, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Corporation, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), a Limited Partnership (LP), or any other registered business structure in Montana is eligible to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing. Anyone with a sole proprietorship does not need to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing because sole proprietorship companies do not have to register their business.

How to Obtain Montana Certificate of Good Standing

The Montana Secretary of State issues this document. To obtain the Certificate of Good Standing, you must fill out the form and send it to the Montana SOS along with the required filing fees. There is some information you will need to enter while submitting the form. Here are the points to add-

Step 1: Get the Form

In Montana, the Certificate of Good Standing can be obtained online. You can visit Montana Secretary of State, log in to the business portal, and request for the Certificate of Good Standing. You may have to pay the state fee for the same.

The following points are required to be mentioned in the form-

Details of The Requester: The first information you need to provide is the details of the requester. Provide your full name, address (which can be your business address), and phone number.

Name of Your Business: Provide the exact name of your business. Make sure no spelling mistakes are made. The spelling must be the same as mentioned in the Certificate of Formation. Besides the name, provide the company registration number or file number. The SOS issues this number after you file the Certificate of Formation. This is not mandatory, but it is recommended that you share the file number to get the process done quickly.

Details of Return Method: The certificate can be collected in person or by mail from Montana SOS. If you request the document in person, you can take the return in person or by mail. Choose which way you want it.

Copies of the Certificate: You can request the number of copies of the certificate from SOS. There is a box in the form you need to check for multiple copies of this document. You can obtain more than one copy of the Certificate of Compliance for various purposes. It is recommended that more copies of the certificate be obtained for future use.

Fax Copy of the Certificate: You might get a Fax copy before receiving the certificate’s hard copy. This is one of the options available in some of the states. If you want to receive the fax copy of the certificate, you must provide the fax number while filing the form.

Copies of Other Documents: If you want, you can request copies of other documents filed with the SOS. Other documents include the Montana Articles of Organization for LLCs, Articles of Incorporation for corporations, LLC amendment, corporation amendment, and other registered documents with the SOS. This is optional, and you can avoid this. You must pay a stipulated fee for every copy you request.

Step 2: Submit the Form

You can submit the form online, by mail, or in person, whichever is available and more convenient. Send the form to the State Capitol, Room 260 ~ PO Box 202801 Helena, Montana 59620-2801 for offline filing. You must search the Montana SOS official website for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee of $5 (online and by mail) OR $20 (expedited filing) must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing. The amount might be more depending on the number of copies you request. If you request other document copies, you might have to pay an additional fee for that.

Processing Time: The Certificate of Good Standing’s processing time varies from state to state. Also, it depends on the expedited filing as well. It can take a few days to a few months to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing in Montana.

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Good Standing

Once you submit the form and the necessary filing fee, your forms start processing. The process might take a lot of time. If you do not want to wait, you can check with the Montana SOS if they have expedited filing or not. In Montana, it can take up to a few months to receive the Certificate of Good Standing.

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Good Standing

The Certificate of Good Standing in Montana is a character certificate of any business. Obtaining this document makes your business legitimate officially. You need this document every now and then while making business decisions. You must obtain the document for the following reasons,

To get business loans and advances or investors
To get business bank accounts
To purchase insurance for business coverage
To renew licenses & permits
To set up your business in other states, for example, a Foreign LLC.
To sell or transfer your business completely or partially to another.
To get into a legal business contract with other businesses or clients.
If your LLC is dissolved for any administrative reasons and you want to restore it, you must obtain the Certificate of Good Standing for reinstatement.

The document is required as much as the formation document. Hence, obtaining the Montana Certificate of Good Standing is needed.

FAQs

What is a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

A Montana Certificate of Good Standing is a document issued by the Montana Secretary of State’s office that confirms a business entity is compliant with state regulations and authorized to conduct business in the state.

How can I obtain a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

You can request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing online through the Montana Secretary of State’s website or by mail.

What information is included in a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

A Montana Certificate of Good Standing typically includes the entity’s name, registration number, date of formation, and confirmation of active status.

Why would I need a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

A Montana Certificate of Good Standing may be required when conducting business transactions, seeking financing, or expanding operations in other states.

How much does a Montana Certificate of Good Standing cost?

The cost of a Montana Certificate of Good Standing varies depending on the filing method and processing options chosen.

How long does it take to receive a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

Processing times for a Montana Certificate of Good Standing can vary, but expedited options are available for an additional fee.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for any type of business entity?

Yes, a Montana Certificate of Good Standing can be requested for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Montana.

Do I need to be current on all state filings to obtain a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, in order to receive a Montana Certificate of Good Standing, your business entity must be up to date on all required filings and fees with the Montana Secretary of State.

Are Montana Certificate of Good Standing’s valid indefinitely?

No, a Montana Certificate of Good Standing has an expiration date and may need to be updated periodically to remain current.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing on behalf of another person or business entity?

Yes, authorized representatives or third-party agents can request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing on behalf of a business entity in Montana.

What is the difference between a Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Existence in Montana?

In Montana, a Certificate of Good Standing confirms compliance with state regulations, while a Certificate of Existence simply confirms the entity’s legal existence.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for a foreign business entity registered in Montana?

Yes, foreign business entities that are registered to do business in Montana can request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing online?

Yes, the Montana Secretary of State’s website offers an online portal for requesting a Certificate of Good Standing.

Do I have to pick up my Montana Certificate of Good Standing in person?

No, you can choose to have your Montana Certificate of Good Standing delivered by mail or electronically for faster processing.

How can I verify the authenticity of a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

You can verify the authenticity of a Montana Certificate of Good Standing by confirming it was issued by the Montana Secretary of State’s office and contains accurate information about the entity.

Can I obtain a Montana Certificate of Good Standing if my business is not in good standing?

No, in order to receive a Montana Certificate of Good Standing, your business must be compliant with all state regulations and up to date on all required filings.

What is the turnaround time for receiving a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

The turnaround time for receiving a Montana Certificate of Good Standing can vary depending on processing options selected, with expedited options available for faster service.

Can I request a rush order for a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, expedited processing options are available for a fee if you need to receive your Montana Certificate of Good Standing quickly.

Can I use a Montana Certificate of Good Standing to expand my business operations to other states?

Yes, a Montana Certificate of Good Standing can be used to demonstrate compliance with state regulations when expanding your business operations to other states.

What is the validity period of a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

A Montana Certificate of Good Standing typically has an expiration date and may need to be updated periodically to remain current and valid for transactions.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for a dissolved business entity?

No, a Montana Certificate of Good Standing is only issued for active business entities that are compliant with state regulations and in good standing.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for a business entity that is no longer operating in Montana?

Yes, you can request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for a business entity that is no longer operating in Montana as long as it is still registered with the Montana Secretary of State.

Can I download a digital copy of my Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, once your Montana Certificate of Good Standing is issued, you may have the option to download a digital copy for your records.

Can a Montana Certificate of Good Standing be used as proof of compliance with state regulations?

Yes, a Montana Certificate of Good Standing is often used as proof of compliance with state regulations when conducting business transactions or seeking financing.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for an entity that is based outside of Montana?

Yes, non-Montana based entities that are registered to do business in Montana can request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing to confirm compliance with state regulations.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for a business entity with pending filings or fees?

No, a Montana Certificate of Good Standing is only issued to business entities that are current on all required filings and fees with the Montana Secretary of State.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for a business entity with a pending complaint or legal action?

It is recommended to resolve any pending complaints or legal actions before requesting a Montana Certificate of Good Standing to avoid potential issues with the certification process.

What is the cost of obtaining a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

The cost of a Montana Certificate of Good Standing varies depending on the method of request, but generally ranges from $10 to $20.

Can I request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for any business entity?

Yes, you can request a Montana Certificate of Good Standing for any registered business entity in Montana.

Can I verify the authenticity of a Montana Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, you can verify the authenticity of a Montana Certificate of Good Standing by contacting the Montana Secretary of State’s office.

In Conclusion

The Certificate of Good Standing is a vital document for any business entity in Montana, as it enables you to expand your operations throughout the United States. It’s essential to provide accurate and truthful information in this document. If you plan to establish the same business in another state, obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing is necessary.

While forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Corporation in Montana, it is necessary to have some documents filed with the State authority. The Certificate of Good Standing is one of them. In some cases, if the business gets shut down or dissolved due to administrative reasons, this document helps the owners retrieve their business in the future. In this article, we shared DIY ways to get the document, but you can always hire a professional to get that for you.