Updated: This release has been updated in 2023 to reflect a deceptive mailing titled “2023 Updated Montana Certificate of Request Form.” This mailing is not associated with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office. A Certificate of Existence may be obtained from the Secretary of State’s Office.

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Secretary of State’s Office is again alerting Montana businesses about a deceptive mailing regarding a Certificate of Existence. The mailing being sent to new businesses is titled “2022 Certificate of Existence Request Form” and includes the business name, address, and date of registration.

The mailing is not associated with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office. An example of the mailing can be viewed by clicking here.

While not required, a business may request a Certificate of Existence from the Secretary of State’s Office to document that they are properly registered to do business in Montana. The mailing offers a Certificate of Existence for $77.50, but it is not necessary to go through a third party to obtain a certificate. Businesses can go directly to the Secretary of State Office’s Online Filing Portal at biz.sosmt.gov to obtain a Certificate of Existence for $5.

Montana businesses have also reported a second mailing regarding a Certificate of Existence titled “2023 Updated Montana Certificate of Existence Form.” The mailing again offers a Certificate of Existence for $77.50, but it is not associated with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office. The mailing notes it “is not affiliated with any government or state agency and this notice is a solicitation for your business.”

If you have questions or concerns regarding either mailing, please email sosbusiness@mt.gov.