Maine follows the Model Registered Agents Act, which splits agents into two groups: commercial registered agents listed with the Secretary of State, and noncommercial agents such as an owner, relative or attorney. Every Maine LLC must name one, and a noncommercial agent needs a physical street address in Maine, not a P.O. box. To switch agents, a for-profit company files the Statement of Appointment or Change of Clerk or Registered Agent (Form CLK/RA 3), which costs $35 as of October 2026.
Older Maine documents call this person the “clerk”, which is why the form still uses both words. Our recommendation for most companies is Mainstay Filing at $149 a year.
Updated October 2026.
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Best Registered Agents in Maine (2026)
If you’d rather not handle registered agent service in Maine yourself, these are the services we recommend, in order. The table compares price and what’s included.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Registered agent service with a flat renewal price | $149/year (renews at $149) | Registered agent service in all 50 states; switching from another agent included (state change fee at cost) |
| 2 | ME Registered Agent.org | Maine registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Maine Registered Agent.co | Maine registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Maine. It costs $149/year (renews at $149) and covers registered agent service in all 50 states; switching from another agent included (state change fee at cost). The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. ME Registered Agent.org
ME Registered Agent.org is a Maine registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Maine Registered Agent.co
Maine Registered Agent.co is a Maine registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Maine registered agent summary
| Topic | Maine (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Legal framework | Maine Model Registered Agents Act, 5 M.R.S. chapter 6-A |
| Commercial agent | An individual or entity listed with the Secretary of State under 5 M.R.S. § 106 |
| Noncommercial agent | An individual (18+) or entity serving as agent, with a physical Maine street address |
| Can the LLC be its own agent? | No |
| Change of agent (CLK/RA 3) | $35 for-profit, $15 nonprofit (form) |
| Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6) | $175 |
| LLC annual report | $85, due June 1 ($50 late penalty) |
| Filing office | Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions |
What a registered agent does for a Maine LLC
A registered agent receives service of process and official notices for your company. In Maine, the agent’s information is part of the public record you can view through the Secretary of State’s corporate search, and that is where a process server will go.
Maine’s LLC Act ties the agent into formation: a Certificate of Formation filed under 31 M.R.S. § 1531 must include the registered agent information required by the Model Registered Agents Act.
Commercial vs noncommercial agents in Maine
Under 5 M.R.S. § 102, Maine recognizes two kinds of registered agent:
Commercial registered agent
An individual or a domestic or foreign entity listed with the Secretary of State under section 106. These are the professional services. Because their address is already on file through their listing, your filing simply names the commercial agent.
Noncommercial registered agent
An individual, or a domestic or foreign entity, that serves as the agent for service of process of an entity without being listed as commercial. It can also be the holder of a designated office or position in your company. A noncommercial agent must be listed with a physical street address in Maine; the state form specifies a physical street address, not a P.O. box.
Individual agents must be at least 18, entities must be authorized in Maine, and the LLC itself cannot act as its own registered agent.
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Maine?
The Maine Secretary of State charges $35 for a for-profit entity to file the Statement of Appointment or Change of Clerk or Registered Agent (Form CLK/RA 3), and $15 for a nonprofit, as of October 2026. The change procedure is set out in the Model Registered Agents Act, including 5 M.R.S. § 103.
| Maine filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Change of clerk or registered agent (CLK/RA 3), for-profit | $35 |
| Change of clerk or registered agent (CLK/RA 3), nonprofit | $15 |
| Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6) | $175 |
| Annual report, domestic LLC | $85 |
Optional expedited service for formation documents costs $50 for 24-hour handling or $100 for same day handling.
How to change your Maine registered agent
- Decide on a commercial or noncommercial agent. For a noncommercial agent, collect a physical Maine street address.
- Download Form CLK/RA 3 from the Division of Corporations website.
- Complete the form with your LLC’s name and charter number, and the new agent’s details. For a commercial agent, use the name exactly as listed with the Secretary of State.
- Sign as an authorized person for the LLC.
- Pay $35 (for-profit) and submit to the Secretary of State.
- Check the record in the corporate search and notify your former agent.
Details to double-check before you file
- A noncommercial agent is listed with a physical Maine street address, not a P.O. box.
- A commercial agent’s name matches its listing with the Secretary of State exactly.
- An authorized person has signed, and the fee matches your entity type ($35 for-profit, $15 nonprofit).
- Your LLC’s name and charter number match the state’s records.
Commercial agents usually prepare the form for new clients, which takes care of these details for you and saves a trip back to the paperwork.
Can you be your own registered agent in Maine?
You personally can serve as a noncommercial registered agent if you are 18 or older and have a physical Maine street address. Your LLC cannot appoint itself. Consider these points first:
| Question | Answer when you serve yourself |
|---|---|
| Annual cost | None |
| Is my address public? | Yes, your Maine street address goes on the record |
| Do I need to be available? | Yes, during normal business hours |
| What if I move or travel for the season? | You need a $35 change filing, or you risk missed papers |
| Can I serve if I live in New Hampshire? | No; you need a physical Maine address |
Seasonal businesses are a particular concern in Maine. If you close for the winter or spend part of the year away, a commercial agent keeps an address staffed all year.
Maine annual reports and next steps
Maine LLCs file an annual report by June 1 each year; the fee is $85 for a domestic LLC, and a late report adds a $50 penalty, under 31 M.R.S. § 1665. File online through the Secretary of State’s annual report service or see the annual report page. Repeated failure to file can lead to administrative dissolution after notice.
Need to set up a company? Our guides to starting an LLC in Maine and starting a business in Maine cover the Certificate of Formation, and the Maine business name search guide shows how to check a name.
FAQs
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Maine?
A for-profit company pays $35 to file Form CLK/RA 3, the Statement of Appointment or Change of Clerk or Registered Agent, with the Maine Secretary of State, as of October 2026. Nonprofits pay $15. The same form covers appointing a new agent or changing the existing one.
What is the difference between a commercial and noncommercial registered agent in Maine?
Under 5 M.R.S. § 102, a commercial registered agent is listed with the Secretary of State under section 106, while a noncommercial agent is an individual or entity serving without that listing. A noncommercial agent must give a physical Maine street address on the filing.
Why does Maine’s form mention a clerk?
Maine historically used the term clerk for the person who receives legal papers for some entities. The current form, CLK/RA 3, covers both the appointment or change of a clerk and of a registered agent, so you will see both words on Maine filings.
Can I be my own registered agent in Maine?
Yes, as a noncommercial registered agent, if you are at least 18 and have a physical Maine street address. Your LLC cannot act as its own agent. Your address will be public, and you need to be available during normal business hours.
When is the Maine LLC annual report due?
Maine LLC annual reports are due June 1 each year. The fee is $85 for a domestic LLC, and a late report adds a $50 penalty. Reports can be filed online through the Secretary of State’s annual report service, and the form is preprinted from your charter number.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maine?
Maine charges $175 to file a Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6), as of October 2026, under 31 M.R.S. § 1531 and § 1680. Expedited handling costs an extra $50 for 24-hour service or $100 for same day service. The certificate must include your registered agent’s information.
What is the best registered agent in Maine?
Our recommendation is Mainstay Filing at $149 per year, renewing at the same price, with the agent switch included. ME Registered Agent.org is an alternative at a flat $99 per year that includes an in-state street address and online access to scanned documents.
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