In Maine, an LLC comes into existence when the Secretary of State’s Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions files your Certificate of Formation. The filing fee is $175 (as of October 2026). Before filing, choose a compliant name and a registered agent with a Maine address; after filing, set up an operating agreement, get an EIN and register for Maine taxes. Every year after that, the LLC files an $85 annual report by June 1.
Maine’s formation fee is higher than in many neighboring states, but the process itself is short. The thing to remember is the June 1 annual report deadline, which applies to every Maine LLC.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Maine (2026)
If you’d rather not handle forming an LLC 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 | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 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 $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. 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 LLC at a glance
| Item | Maine (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Maine Secretary of State, Corporations, UCC and Commissions |
| Formation document | Certificate of Formation |
| Filing fee | $175 |
| Name reservation | Optional; $20 |
| Annual report | $85 (domestic LLC); due June 1 each year |
| Registered agent | Required, with a Maine address |
| Publication | Not required |
Fees are taken from the Secretary of State’s LLC forms and fees page. For a look at state fees plus service costs, see Mainstay Filing’s Maine LLC cost page.
Choosing a name for a Maine LLC
Your Maine LLC name must include a designator such as “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.,” and it must be distinguishable from names already on the Secretary of State’s records.
For inspiration, run some keywords through the namechk business name generator. Then search each favorite in Maine’s corporate search; our Maine business name search guide explains how to search effectively.
Two more checks before you commit:
- A federal trademark search in the USPTO database
- A domain and social handle check with namechk
If you need time before filing, an Application for Reservation of Name costs $20.
Appointing a registered agent in Maine
Every Maine LLC must name a registered agent in its Certificate of Formation. The agent accepts lawsuits and official notices on the LLC’s behalf, so they need a physical Maine address and must be available during normal business hours.
You can serve as your own agent if you live in Maine. Owners who live out of state, travel often, or prefer not to publish a home address generally hire a professional agent. Mainstay Filing includes a year of registered agent service in its formation package. Our Maine registered agent guide explains the rules and how to change agents later.
Filing the Certificate of Formation
The Certificate of Formation (form MLLC-6) is available on the Secretary of State’s LLC forms page, along with every other LLC filing. The $175 fee covers the filing. The certificate asks for:
- The LLC’s name
- Its registered agent and the agent’s Maine address
- The signature of an authorized person
Read the instructions that accompany the form before you submit; filings with missing information are returned, which delays your start date. If you need faster handling, Maine offers expedited service for an extra $50 (24-hour) or $100 (same-day).
Writing an operating agreement
Maine doesn’t require an operating agreement to be filed, but you should have one in writing. It records ownership, member contributions, how decisions get made, how profits are shared and what happens when a member leaves.
A written agreement matters even for one-person LLCs. Banks often ask for it, and it helps show that the LLC is a separate business, which supports your personal liability protection.
Getting an EIN and registering for Maine taxes
The IRS issues EINs online for free. You’ll need one to open a business bank account, run payroll and file federal returns for a multi-member LLC.
If you’ll sell taxable goods or services, register with Maine Revenue Services; its sales, use and service provider tax page explains who must register. Employers also register for withholding and unemployment insurance.
FinCEN’s BOI page states that U.S.-formed companies are exempt from beneficial ownership reporting under the final rule effective August 2026.
Opening a bank account and keeping records
Once the Certificate of Formation is filed and you have an EIN, open a business bank account in the LLC’s name. Banks typically ask for the filed certificate, the EIN confirmation letter from the IRS and, often, the operating agreement.
Keeping business money separate from personal money is one of the simplest ways to protect the liability shield an LLC provides. Pay business expenses from the business account, keep receipts, and store your formation documents, operating agreement and annual report confirmations in one place. Those records will make tax season easier and help if the LLC’s separateness is ever questioned.
Filing the Maine annual report by June 1
Maine requires an annual report every year to keep the LLC in good standing, and the legal filing deadline is June 1. A domestic LLC’s report costs $85; a foreign LLC registered in Maine pays $150.
If you mail a paper report, the Secretary of State cautions filers to make sure it’s postmarked on or before June 1, and suggests getting proof at the post office if you’re mailing close to the deadline. A late report adds a $50 penalty, and missing reports put your good standing at risk, so it’s easier to file early.
Licenses and permits in Maine
Maine has no single general business license. Your town or city may require local permits, and many professions and trades need a state license from the relevant board. Check with your municipal office and any licensing agency that oversees your industry before you start operating.
How much does a Maine LLC cost?
| Item | Fee (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation | $175 |
| Application for Reservation of Name (optional) | $20 |
| Annual report, domestic LLC | $85 per year |
| Annual report, foreign LLC | $150 per year |
| Late annual report penalty | $50 |
In practical terms, budget $175 to form and $85 each year after that, plus any local permits, professional licenses and registered agent service you choose to buy.
Maine LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Maine?
The Maine Secretary of State charges $175 to file a Certificate of Formation for a domestic LLC, as of October 2026. An optional name reservation costs $20. After formation, each Maine LLC files an $85 annual report by June 1 every year. Local permits and professional licenses are extra.
When is the Maine LLC annual report due?
The legal filing deadline for Maine annual reports is June 1 each year, according to the Secretary of State. The annual report keeps the LLC in good standing. Paper filers should make sure the envelope is postmarked on or before June 1, especially when mailing close to the deadline.
How much is the Maine annual report fee?
A domestic Maine LLC pays $85 to file its annual report, and a foreign LLC registered to do business in Maine pays $150, according to the Secretary of State’s LLC forms and fees page. Amended annual reports cost the same as the original report for each type of LLC.
Can I be my own registered agent in Maine?
Yes, if you have a physical Maine address and can accept legal papers there during normal business hours. Your address becomes part of the public record. Many Maine LLC owners hire a professional registered agent for privacy and to make sure lawsuits and state notices are never missed.
Does Maine require an operating agreement?
Maine doesn’t require LLCs to file an operating agreement with the Secretary of State. Having a written agreement is still strongly recommended. It sets out ownership, management, voting and distributions, and without one, Maine’s default LLC rules decide how those questions are handled.
Where do I find Maine LLC forms?
The Maine Secretary of State’s Corporations, UCC and Commissions division lists every LLC filing, including the Certificate of Formation, name reservation and annual reports, on its limited liability company forms page with the current fee for each. The division’s older web addresses have moved, so start from the Secretary of State’s main site.
Does Maine require newspaper publication for a new LLC?
No. Maine doesn’t require LLCs to publish a notice of formation in a newspaper. Once the Secretary of State files your Certificate of Formation, the LLC exists. The next tasks are an operating agreement, an EIN, Maine tax registrations if needed, local permits and the yearly annual report.
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