Montana vs North Dakota: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)
Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Montana and North Dakota — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.
LLC Formation Costs: Montana vs North Dakota
| Metric | Montana | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $35 | $135 | Montana |
| Annual Report | $35 | $50 | Montana |
| Publication Cost | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Franchise Tax | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Est. Year-1 Total | $35 | $135 | Montana |
Filing Fee
Montana is cheaper here
Annual Report
Montana is cheaper here
Publication Cost
It's a tie
Franchise Tax
It's a tie
Est. Year-1 Total
Montana is cheaper here
Montana: The annual report fee is $35 on the state fee schedule, but it is waived for reports filed by April 15 in 2026 and 2027.
North Dakota: North Dakota requires an annual report every year — don't miss the deadline.
Montana: Lowest formation fee in the US at $35. No sales tax.
North Dakota: Moderate fees and low business competition in many sectors.
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Small Claims Court: Montana vs North Dakota
| Metric | Montana | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Claim Limit | $7,000 | $15,000 | North Dakota |
| Min Filing Fee | $20 | $20 | Tie |
| Contract SOL | 8 yrs | 6 yrs | Montana |
Max Claim Limit
North Dakota is cheaper here
Min Filing Fee
It's a tie
Contract SOL
Montana is cheaper here
Divorce Filing Costs: Montana vs North Dakota
| Metric | Montana | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $120 | $80 | North Dakota |
| Sheriff Service | $50 | $30 | North Dakota |
| Children Surcharge | $0 | $0 | Tie |
Filing Fee
North Dakota is cheaper here
Sheriff Service
North Dakota is cheaper here
Children Surcharge
It's a tie
Notary Fees: Montana vs North Dakota
| Metric | Montana | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $10 | $5 |
| Jurat | $10 | $5 |
| RON Fee | $10 | $5 |
Acknowledgment
Jurat
RON Fee
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