Montana Business Entity Search (Step-by-Step Guide)

Whether you’re considering starting a business or you’d like to look up information on an existing business in the state of Montana, a business entity name search is highly recommended.

Cross-referencing your desired business name with this database will ensure that your preferred name is indeed available. The name search also ensures that you don’t pick a name that’s too similar to a competitor’s name.

The following step-by-step guide will show you how to conduct a Montana business entity search.

The Montana Secretary of State Business Search page allows you to search via two search types:

Additionally, you’ll find advanced search options when you drop down the menu on the advanced search option.

This option allows you to select organization names that:

“Starts with” or “Contains” the keywords you are entering.

Additionally, the advanced search allows you to further narrow down your search criteria by selecting the:

Furthermore, you may search by Registered Agent PID.

Business search by name

Refer to the Montana Secretary of State Business Search page to begin searching for registered businesses in the state.

To begin your Montana business search, simply enter the name of the business you’re looking up.

You may enter just one or two words of the company name, even if the organization name contains multiple words.

For more accurate results, try to enter as many keywords as possible.

After entering the desired name, click on the “Search icon.”

You may also use the “Advanced” menu drop-down box to refine your search further.

If there are matching records in the business registry, be it partial or exact matches, it will display in a table format. The information you’ll then have access to includes the following:

By clicking on the name of the business, you’ll access even further information on the entity, such as filing number, entity type, subtype, etc.

Business search by filing number

While on the same page, you may search for an entity by filing number.

The filing number should start with an alphabet, followed by 6 digits, and look something like this – A009739.

Enter the filing number.

Click on the “Search icon.”

In this case, only one result should be coming up if you entered the correct filing number.

As with the “business search by name,” when you click on the name of the entity, you’ll have access to further details.

Montana search results

The Montana search results return the following information:

When you click on the icon resembling a clock at the bottom of this age, you’ll access the following information:

Copies of documents and certificates

If you’d like to obtain business documents for whatever reasons, you may do so by referring to the Montana Secretary of State’s Business Services website or https://sosmt.gov/business/how-do-i. On the left-hand side, select “Request for business documents and certificates.”

Then follow the instructions on this page to request the necessary business documents you may need.

You may request certified or uncertified copies of business documents. While certified copies are true and correct copies of business documents, uncertified copies are plain copies and do not contain the seal or endorsement of the Montana Department of State.

Certified copies will come in handy in the event you need to acquire a business loan, open a corporate bank account, or apply for a Certificate of Authority.

The most frequently requested certified copies include:

If you do not want to request the relevant information using the online services portal, you may also use the below information to request copies of business documents:

Business name availability

You must note that even if the name you searched for does not appear in the search results, the name could still be used by another entity in another state, or it could be trademarked. So it’s a good idea to perform a trademark search to make sure.

The name could be trademarked at the state level. In this case, you’ll need to conduct the search on the Montana SOS website. Simply enter the name into the search bar and click on the search icon. If the name was trademarked at the state level, it would show up in the results.

Alternatively, the name may be trademarked on the federal level. In this case, the name would not show up on the Montana SOS trademark search but will show up when you conduct a search on the USPTO or United States Patent and Trademark Office’s website.

Next, you should consider the possibility that the name could be reserved. So contact the SOS office to get confirmation of whether the name is reserved or available.

If it is available, then this would be a good time to consider a name reservation for yourself.

Simple complete the Name Reservation Form, including the following information:

Names are reserved for 120 days, and the state of Montana does not offer an option to renew the application. So if you do not complete business registration within this time frame, you risk losing the name altogether.

The name reservation filing fee is $10, and this must be sent along with your application form to the Secretary of State, irrespective of whether you are filing online or via mail.

It’s also equally important to note that Montana, like other states, has naming guidelines, and if your desired name is too similar to another name they have on file, it may not be available for business filing. Additionally, you will lose all money invested in the registration process when this happens.

Whether you’re forming a limited liability company or corporation, you must adhere to the naming requirements laid out by the state.

Some of them are as follows:

Domain name availability

In the age of the internet, domain names are essential. Think of it as a substitution for your physical address or the long string of letters and numbers people searching for your website will need to type in.

Domain names simplify the process of typing in a business’s online address and browsing through its website.

There are various other benefits of domain names as follows:

One of the best ways to check whether your desired domain name is available is to use a professional service like Namechk.com.

This professional service checks 36 different domain platforms and over 100 social media websites and online platforms. Some of the social networks that are checked include:

Namechk.com checks against 36 domains and more than 90 social media platforms. Therefore, by using the service, you can check the availability of either a username or domain name within seconds.

Additionally, Namechk.com also filters your search options and recommends alternatives in the event that your preferred domain name is unavailable.

Fictitious business name search

Fictitious names are also called assumed, trade, DBA, and “doing business as” names in Montana.

This is an option to consider if you plan on conducting business transactions under other names aside from your legal entity name.

Additionally, the DBA name must comply with certain naming requirements as follows:

DBAs come with the following benefits:

Once you’re ready to file your DBA, go to the SOS ePass website and file online.

There’s a $20 filing fee.