What Documents Does the Montana DMV Require to Title a Vehicle to an LLC? (And How Ride Legal Handles All of It for You)
Titling a vehicle to a Montana LLC is one of the cleanest, most efficient ways to establish ownership — but only when the paperwork is prepared correctly. The Montana DMV requires a very specific set of documents, and a single incorrect signature or missing attachment can delay a title for weeks.
That’s why thousands of vehicle owners turn to Ride Legal, the concierge service built to eliminate every point of friction from vehicle ownership.
Ride Legal handles the forms, the signatures, the filings, the county-level interactions, and the entire submission packet — so you never step into a DMV, never wait on hold, never chase paperwork, and never touch the administrative side of the process.
Below is exactly what the Montana DMV requires, and how Ride Legal does every part of the work behind the scenes.
Required Documents to Title a Vehicle to a Montana LLC
The following documents come directly from Montana’s Motor Vehicle Division and the state Title Manual. Ride Legal prepares, reviews, notarizes, assembles, and submits all of them on your behalf.
1. Application for Certificate of Title & Registration (Form MV1)
Every Montana title begins with the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration, known as the MV1.
It includes:
- LLC name and Montana registered agent address
- Vehicle VIN and description
- Odometer reading (if applicable)
- Signature by “Member”/“Manager” of the LLC
To see the official version, you can visit the Montana Title & Registration Application (Form MV1) page on the Montana MVD website.
Ride Legal completes the MV1 for you, signs as your authorized agent when applicable, and ensures every data field matches Montana’s strict formatting requirements.
2. Proof of Ownership / Chain of Title
Montana requires clear evidence that your LLC is the new owner. This varies based on how you acquired the vehicle:
Brand-New Vehicles
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) assigned directly to the LLC
- Notarized bill of sale
Used Vehicles
- Original out-of-state title signed over to the LLC
- Or bill of sale if the seller did not have a title (must include VIN, year, make)
Transferring Your Personal Vehicle Into Your LLC
- A notarized bill of sale from you (individual) to your LLC
- Montana allows symbolic sale amounts (e.g., $1)
Montana’s official documentation requirements are outlined in the Montana Title Manual.
Ride Legal drafts the bill of sale, confirms proper signatures, and validates your chain of ownership before submission. You never guess what is required — we ensure it’s correct on the first attempt.
3. LLC Documentation
Your Montana LLC must be active with the Secretary of State. Counties generally require:
- A copy of your Articles of Organization
- EIN (optional but useful for insurance or financing)
Third-party references such as this Montana LLC vehicle registration overview help explain why counties verify LLC status, though Ride Legal handles all of this automatically.
We attach your LLC documents to every submission packet and verify that your business listing matches DMV records.
4. Odometer Disclosure
Required for vehicles under 10 years old. This disclosure may be completed within the MV1 or as a separate form.
Ride Legal completes and files this as part of your packet.
5. Proof of Insurance
Montana requires liability insurance in the LLC’s name prior to issuing plates.
If your vehicle is garaged out of state — common for exotic cars, collector cars, RVs, and professional fleets — some insurers categorize this as commercial use.
Ride Legal assists with insurer coordination to ensure your policy meets Montana’s requirements and is accepted by the county office.
6. ID or Power of Attorney (POA)
To process your title, the county needs proof that an authorized person is approving the paperwork. This can be:
- A scan of your driver’s license or passport
- Or a notarized Power of Attorney granting Ride Legal permission to sign documents on your behalf
Almost all of our customers choose the POA so they never touch DMV paperwork.
7. Lienholder Authorization (If Financed)
If your vehicle has a loan, your lender must provide:
- A letter authorizing the vehicle to be titled/register in Montana
- Confirmation that they remain listed as lienholder
Ride Legal contacts your lender directly and obtains this authorization for you — a step that DIY filers often struggle with.
| Document | What Montana Requires | How Ride Legal Handles It |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application for Certificate of Title & Registration (Form MV1) |
Must include: • LLC name & Montana registered agent address • Vehicle VIN & description • Odometer reading (if applicable) • Signature by LLC “Member”/“Manager” Official form: Montana Title & Registration Application (Form MV1) |
Ride Legal completes the MV1 for you, signs as your authorized agent (when applicable), and ensures every field meets Montana’s strict formatting rules. |
| 2. Proof of Ownership / Chain of Title |
Brand-New Vehicles: • MCO assigned to LLC • Notarized bill of sale Used Vehicles: • Original out-of-state title signed to LLC • Or detailed bill of sale (VIN, year, make) Transferring Personal Vehicle to LLC: • Notarized bill of sale individual → LLC • Montana allows symbolic amounts (e.g., $1) Documentation rules appear in the Montana Title Manual. |
Ride Legal drafts required bills of sale, verifies signatures, confirms chain of ownership, and ensures the paperwork meets Montana county standards before submission. |
| 3. LLC Documentation |
• Articles of Organization • EIN (optional but useful for insurance/financing) Counties confirm LLC status against state records. Helpful overview: Montana LLC vehicle registration guide |
Ride Legal attaches your LLC documents to the filing packet and verifies that your business listing matches DMV and Secretary of State records. |
| 4. Odometer Disclosure |
Required for vehicles under 10 years old. May be included within MV1 or on a separate form. |
Ride Legal completes the odometer disclosure for you and files it with the county as part of the title packet. |
| 5. Proof of Insurance |
Must be a liability policy in the LLC’s name. Out-of-state garaging may trigger commercial classification with some insurers. |
Ride Legal helps coordinate insurance to ensure your policy is accepted by Montana and properly issued under the LLC. |
| 6. ID or Power of Attorney (POA) |
County requires authorization: • Driver’s license or passport • OR notarized Power of Attorney allowing Ride Legal to sign documents for you |
Most clients use Ride Legal’s POA option so we handle every signature and they never deal with DMV paperwork. |
| 7. Lienholder Authorization (If Financed) |
If financed, lender must provide: • Letter authorizing Montana titling/registration • Confirmation they remain listed as lienholder |
Ride Legal contacts your lender directly and obtains the required authorization letter — a common pain point for DIY applicants. |
How Ride Legal Handles the Entire Process for You
Montana’s titling system is straightforward if the paperwork is perfect.
But for owners — especially out-of-state owners — perfect paperwork is the hardest part.
Ride Legal removes every obstacle.
You never fill out a form.
You never talk to the DMV.
You never wait in line or mail packets.
You never worry about notarizations or returned applications.
Our concierge workflow includes:
- Preparing all state forms, including MV1, odometer, POA, and bill of sale
- Validating your ownership documents for Montana compliance
- Handling all notarizations
- Communicating with lenders (if needed)
- Selecting the county with the best tax structure
- Submitting your packet directly to county officials
- Monitoring and resolving any questions instantly
- Delivering your Montana title and registration to your door
This is why resources like Montana Registration Services’ professional guide and detailed checklists such as 49 Dollar Montana’s registration instructions emphasize the value of professional handling for out-of-state vehicle owners.
Ride Legal delivers that service at a premium concierge level — grounded in real expertise, backed by a movement of drivers who want freedom without friction.
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays (All Avoided With Ride Legal)
DIY filers often run into:
- Wrong signature format on the title
- Personal insurance instead of LLC insurance
- Incorrect registered agent address
- Missing or incorrect odometer disclosure
- Incomplete MV1 fields
- Missing lender authorization
- Submitting to a county with higher taxes
With Ride Legal, these mistakes never occur — we verify and correct every detail for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents does the Montana DMV require to title a vehicle to an LLC?
Montana requires the MV1 application, proof of ownership, LLC documents, odometer disclosure, Montana insurance, ID/POA authorization, and lienholder permission if financed.
Do I need an EIN for my Montana LLC to title a vehicle?
No — but it helps with insurance and financing. Ride Legal can obtain one for you if needed.
Do I need to be physically present in Montana?
No. Ride Legal completes the entire process remotely.
Can Ride Legal sign everything on my behalf?
Yes — with a notarized POA, Ride Legal executes all filings for you.
How long does Montana titling take?
Most titles are processed in days to weeks depending on county workload. Ride Legal monitors your filing and updates you at every milestone.
Can financed vehicles be titled to a Montana LLC?
Yes, with lender approval. Ride Legal obtains the authorization letter.
The Documents Matter — But You Shouldn’t Have to Handle Them
Montana requires precise paperwork to title a vehicle to a Montana LLC — but there’s no reason you should be dealing with forms, signatures, lender calls, notarizations, or county filings.
Ride Legal is built for owners who want the benefits without the bureaucracy.
You focus on the build, the drive, the lifestyle. We handle the compliance, structure, and execution.
