How to look up Montana business entity information

Montana business entity information is available through the Montana Secretary of State business search portal at biz.sosmt.gov/search. This database delivers the essential data points needed for onboarding, compliance verification, and business transactions: entity name, type, number, and formation date.

Here, we'll show you how to navigate Montana's business search portal, locate each required piece of information, and identify the specific formats Montana uses. Montana's user-friendly interface makes entity research straightforward, with flexible search options and comprehensive results displayed in clean, scannable tables.

Summary table: Finding your Montana entity information

How to search for Montana business entities

Navigate to Montana's Business Search portal and enter your business name (exactly as registered) in the search field.

The search returns results immediately with comprehensive details visible in a clean tabular format. Montana's system offers flexible matching options (starts with, contains, or word contains), so you can tailor your search strategy based on how specific your query needs to be.

Searching by filing number delivers exact matches when you already know the entity's identifier. Montana also allows filtering by entity type, status, county, or registered agent. This proves particularly valuable when researching common business names or conducting thorough due diligence.

Click the entity name in the results to access the complete entity profile with all filing details, registered agent information, and formation history.

What you'll see in search results

The search immediately displays essential information in a clean tabular format:

• Legal entity name with hyperlink to full details
• Entity status (Active, Good Standing, Inactive, Dissolved, etc.)
• Registration/formation date
• Registered agent name
• Entity type and subtype designations

How to find your entity number in Montana

Your Montana entity number (officially called your "Filing Number") follows formats like C123456 or R234567 and serves as your unique identifier assigned by the Montana Secretary of State when your entity was formed.

Where to locate your Montana entity number

1. Montana business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in the entity details page
• Labeled as: "Filing Number"
• Format: Letter prefix followed by 6-7 digits (e.g., "D123456")

2. Certificate of Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document
• Labeled as "Filing Number"
• Stamped by the Montana Secretary of State

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official Montana Secretary of State documents
• Used as your account identifier for annual report filings

Montana entity number format

Format: Letter prefix followed by 6-7 digits

• Examples: C123456, R234567, and F345678 
• Pattern note: The letter prefix indicates entity type: "D" for domestic corporations, "L" for LLCs, "F" for foreign entities

How to find your entity type in Montana

Montana recognizes multiple business entity types, listed exactly as shown in your business search results and formation documents.

Where to find your Montana entity type

1. Montana business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: Prominently in search results and detail page under "Entity Type"
• Listed as: "LLC," "Corporation," "PLLC," "Foreign LLC," etc.

2. Certificate of Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document
• States the specific entity type being formed
• Uses formal legal language matching Montana statutes

3. Annual reports

• Listed in the entity information section
• Cannot be changed without a formal amendment filing

How to find your formation date in Montana

Your formation date appears in Montana business search results and on your Certificate of Organization/Incorporation.

Where your Montana formation date appears

1. Montana business search (easiest access)

• The formation date is displayed as 'Registration Date' for domestic entities and as 'Qualification Date' for foreign businesses 
• This appears in both the search results and detailed entity page, using the MM/DD/YYYY format.

2. Certificate of Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document with official state stamp
• May say "Filed on [date]" or show filing date with Secretary of State seal
• Sometimes includes both the filing date and effective date

Formation date vs. effective date

Montana allows businesses to specify a future effective date when filing, creating two different dates:

• Formation date (file date): When the Montana Secretary of State processed your paperwork (use this one for onboarding)
• Effective date: When your entity officially began operations (if you specified a later date)

For most Montana entities, the formation date and effective date are identical, as delayed effective dates are rarely used.

Let Discern handle your ongoing compliance

You've got what you need from Montana's system: business name, entity type, Filing Number, and formation date. Now get those details into Discern and let our platform automate Montana's annual reports, track deadlines, and coordinate registered agent services across all your jurisdictions.

Whether managing one Montana LLC or multiple entities across different states, Discern ensures nothing slips through the cracks. Book a demo to see how we handle ongoing compliance.