Montana Articles of Incorporation

Montana articles of incorporation are filed to create a corporation.

Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.

Benefits

Incorporating provides many important benefits:

• Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
• Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
• Provides governance and adds credibility

Fast Facts

For Domestic Corporations:

Agency:	Montana Secretary of State
Filing Method:	Online only.
Agency Fee:	$70 + optional $20-100 expedite fee
Turnaround:	~10 business days. 24 hour service for $20. 1 hour service for $100.
Law:	Montana Code Annotated - Title 35: Corporations, Partnerships, and Associations - Chapter 1: Business Corporations
Notes:	You must submit original signatures. Submit the original and one copy if you would like a copy returned to you.

Other Helpful Montana Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Montana.

Montana Directors

• Number: One or more required.
• Qualifications: None.
• Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or articles of incorporation fixes a different number. No less than one third.

Montana Officers

• As stated in the bylaws, but a minimum of one. One person may hold multiple offices. One officer is required to be responsible for maintaining corporate records.

Montana Bylaws

• Required: Yes.

Montana Annual Shareholder Meeting

• Required: Yes.
• Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.

Montana Shareholders

• Qualifications: N/A
• Stock Certificate: Not required.
• Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.