How to File a Trade Name in Montana

A Trade Name (Doing Business As) lets you operate a business under a name different from your legal name. In Montana, this filing is officially called a Trade Name registration.

What Is A Trade Name?

When you start a business as a sole proprietor or partnership, your business legally operates under your personal name (or the names of all partners). A Trade Name filing registers an alternate business name with the county, allowing you to:

• Operate under a professional business name
• Open a business bank account in your business name
• Accept payments under your business name
• Build brand recognition separate from your personal name

If you form an LLC or corporation and want to operate under a different name than your entity's registered name, you also need a Trade Name filing.

Where to File in Montana

In Montana, Trade Name filings are handled at the county level. You file with the county clerk's office in the county where your business operates. Montana has 56 counties, each with its own clerk's office and filing fee.

Step-by-Step: Filing Your Montana Trade Name

1. Choose your business name — Pick a name that isn't already in use in your county. You can search the Montana Secretary of State database for existing business names.
2. Determine your filing county — File in the county where your principal place of business is located.
3. Prepare your Trade Name application — You'll need your legal name, business name, business address, and type of business.
4. File with the county clerk — Submit your Trade Name application to the county clerk's office. Each county has its own filing fee.
5. Pay the fees — County filing fees vary across Montana's 56 counties. Our service fee is a flat $99.
6. Receive your certificate — Once approved, you'll receive a Trade Name certificate from the county clerk.
7. Open a business bank account — Use your Trade Name certificate to open a bank account under your business name.

Costs

Our service fee is $99. This covers preparation and filing of your Trade Name paperwork, plus coordination with your county clerk's office. County filing fees are separate and vary by location.

Timeline

Most Trade Name filings in Montana are processed within 5-10 business days after submission to the county clerk's office. Processing times can vary depending on the county and their current backlog.

What You Need

• Your full legal name (individual or entity name)
• The business name you want to register
• Business address in Montana
• Type of business (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation)
• Filing fee payment

After You File

Once your Trade Name is approved, keep your certificate in a safe place. You'll need it to:

• Open a business bank account
• Apply for business licenses and permits
• Enter into contracts under your business name
• Build credit under your business name

Montana Trade Name registrations typically need to be renewed periodically. See our renewal guide for details on keeping your filing current.

File Your Montana Trade Name — $99