Maine LLC Cost: How do I get started?

To form an LLC in Maine, you have to file a Certificate of Formation. This is the legal document that makes your business official! Currently, there’s no online filing option, so you have to file by mail or in person. With our Maine LLC Formation Service, we can start your LLC for you for only $0 plus filing fees.

What fees go into the total LLC cost in Maine?

The cost to start a business in Maine varies depending on what you need to file. Here are the most common Maine LLC fees you may have to pay when starting your business. Filing Fee: It costs $175 to file the Certificate of Formation. This certificate officially begins your company’s existence. Registered Agent Fee: You can appoint someone to be your Registered Agent, which requires a $35 fee to register. The person or entity you choose must meet all the legal requirements. With our Maine Registered Agent Service, we can provide an agent for you. Alternatively, you can serve as the Registered Agent for your LLC. Annual Report Filings: The Annual Report filing fee is $85. This yearly reporting is required for all Maine LLCs.

What other Maine LLC fees should I look out for?

Now that your LLC is established, let’s look at some other fees that you might have to pay. LLC Name Reservation: For $20 you can reserve your business name while you get the rest of your paperwork together. By reserving a name, you have the exclusive right to the business name you want for 120 days. Then, once you file your initial documents, the name is yours for as long as you want it. Doing Business Under an Assumed or Fictitious Name: For marketing purposes, some businesses use a name different from their legal name. This is referred to as a “Doing Business As,” fictitious, or assumed name. There’s a $125 fee to request to use an alternative name. Certificate of Existence: When it’s time to open a business bank account or get financing, you may need to provide your LLC’s Certificate of Existence. This document shows that your LLC is in good standing—which means it’s compliant with all requirements and is up to date on its filings and payments. The cost for a Certificate of Existence is $30. Business Licenses and Permits: Most businesses need some combination of federal, state, and local permits and licenses to legally operate. What you’ll need and how much you’ll owe depends on the type of business you’re running and where it’s located within the state. Statement of Authority: If you need to give authorization to other people to act on the LLC’s behalf, it’ll cost $50 to file a Statement of Authority. For just $0 plus state fees, we can form your Maine LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in Maine.

Are there penalties for paying my fees late in Maine?

Yes. Late payments will incur a late penalty fee, and your LLC will lose good standing status. This can negatively impact your ability to do things like open a bank account or get financing. The Secretary of State will dissolve or revoke your LLC if you don’t pay the late penalty. If for some reason you aren’t doing business in Maine, but you’re still in good standing, you can file a Certificate of Excuse. By doing this, you won’t have to file the annual report or pay the $85 fee.

What happens if I can’t pay my filing fee to the Maine government?

The Maine Secretary of State won’t accept or process your documents if they don’t include the appropriate filing fee.

Who receives the filing fees for forming my Maine business?

The Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions receives all filing fees.

What is the largest fee I will pay when I form my Maine LLC?

The largest Maine LLC cost is the $175 filing fee for the Certificate of Formation. However, foreign LLCs pay much larger fees to do business in Maine than domestic LLCs. For example, a foreign LLC must pay $200 to renew its business name registration.

What payment methods can I use to pay my LLC filing fees to the Maine government?

Payments can be made by check, money order, or credit card. All payments made with a credit card must include a Credit Card Payment Voucher.

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Maine LLC Cost

We’ve compiled the most common fees so you know exactly what to expect when starting your Maine LLC.

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FAQs on how to determine Maine LLC costs

Maine LLC Cost: How do I get started?

To form an LLC in Maine, you have to file a Certificate of Formation. This is the legal document that makes your business official! Currently, there’s no online filing option, so you have to file by mail or in person.

With our Maine LLC Formation Service, we can start your LLC for you for only $0 plus filing fees.
What fees go into the total LLC cost in Maine?

The cost to start a business in Maine varies depending on what you need to file. Here are the most common Maine LLC fees you may have to pay when starting your business.

Filing Fee

It costs $175 to file the Certificate of Formation. This certificate officially begins your company’s existence.

Registered Agent Fee

You can appoint someone to be your Registered Agent, which requires a $35 fee to register. The person or entity you choose must meet all the legal requirements. With our Maine Registered Agent Service, we can provide an agent for you.

Alternatively, you can serve as the Registered Agent for your LLC.

Annual Report Filings

The Annual Report filing fee is $85. This yearly reporting is required for all Maine LLCs.
What other Maine LLC fees should I look out for?

Now that your LLC is established, let’s look at some other fees that you might have to pay.

LLC Name Reservation

For $20 you can reserve your business name while you get the rest of your paperwork together. By reserving a name, you have the exclusive right to the business name you want for 120 days. Then, once you file your initial documents, the name is yours for as long as you want it.

Doing Business Under an Assumed or Fictitious Name

For marketing purposes, some businesses use a name different from their legal name. This is referred to as a “Doing Business As,” fictitious, or assumed name. There’s a $125 fee to request to use an alternative name.

Certificate of Existence

When it’s time to open a business bank account or get financing, you may need to provide your LLC’s Certificate of Existence. This document shows that your LLC is in good standing—which means it’s compliant with all requirements and is up to date on its filings and payments. The cost for a Certificate of Existence is $30.

Business Licenses and Permits

Most businesses need some combination of federal, state, and local permits and licenses to legally operate. What you’ll need and how much you’ll owe depends on the type of business you’re running and where it’s located within the state.

Statement of Authority

If you need to give authorization to other people to act on the LLC’s behalf, it’ll cost $50 to file a Statement of Authority.

For just $0 plus state fees, we can form your Maine LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in Maine.
Are there penalties for paying my fees late in Maine?

Yes. Late payments will incur a late penalty fee, and your LLC will lose good standing status. This can negatively impact your ability to do things like open a bank account or get financing.

The Secretary of State will dissolve or revoke your LLC if you don’t pay the late penalty. If for some reason you aren’t doing business in Maine, but you’re still in good standing, you can file a Certificate of Excuse. By doing this, you won’t have to file the annual report or pay the $85 fee.
What happens if I can’t pay my filing fee to the Maine government?

The Maine Secretary of State won’t accept or process your documents if they don’t include the appropriate filing fee.
Who receives the filing fees for forming my Maine business?

The Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions receives all filing fees.
What is the largest fee I will pay when I form my Maine LLC?

The largest Maine LLC cost is the $175 filing fee for the Certificate of Formation. However, foreign LLCs pay much larger fees to do business in Maine than domestic LLCs. For example, a foreign LLC must pay $200 to renew its business name registration.
What payment methods can I use to pay my LLC filing fees to the Maine government?

Payments can be made by check, money order, or credit card. All payments made with a credit card must include a Credit Card Payment Voucher.

How do I form my LLC in Maine?

1. Name your LLC

While it’s important to choose a name that attracts customers or clients, your LLC name must also meet Maine’s legal requirements. The name must include one of the following phrases or abbreviations:

Limited Liability Company
Limited Company
L.L.C.
LLC
L.C.
LC

Your LLC name must also be distinguishable from any other business name on record with the Secretary of State. Names that include obscene language or promote unlawful activity are not allowed.

Name your LLC

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2. Select a Registered Agent

All Maine LLCs must have a Registered Agent. Anyone 18 years or older with a physical address in Maine can serve in this role. The Registered Agent must be available during regular business hours to receive any important correspondence or legal documents on behalf of the LLC.

Get a Maine Registered Agent

3. File your LLC’s Certificate of Formation

The Certificate of Formation is what makes you an official business owner. By filing this document, your LLC is a legal entity. To complete the Certificate, you’ll need the following information:

LLC name
Filing date
Designation as a low-profit LLC, if applicable
Registered agent information
Additional attachments you wish to include
Authorized signature

The Certificate must also include a cover letter with the following additional information:

Business name
List of filings you’re submitting
Special handling requests, if any (e.g., expedited filing)
Contact information
Address where the Secretary of State’s office should send the documents

For an entrepreneur with an endless to-do list, completing and filing the Certificate takes a lot of precious time. Let us file your Certificate for you with our Maine LLC Formation Service.

4. Create an Operating Agreement

An Operating Agreement is essentially the rule book for your business. Maine is one of the few states that require LLCs to have an Operating Agreement or LLC Agreement. This document covers everything from member responsibilities to profit and loss sharing.

You can create an LLC Agreement today using our Operating Agreement template.

5. Get an EIN #

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number that the IRS assigns to businesses. You can apply for one online for free, or we can get one for you with our EIN Service.

You’ll need an EIN to do things like open a bank account, hire employees, and get an insurance policy. Having an EIN can also help keep your personal information separate from your business. Otherwise, if you don’t have an EIN, you have to use your social security number on business tax documents.

Check Maine Annual Requirements

To maintain good standing, you have to file an annual report with the Secretary of State by June 1st. Your report must include the $85 filing fee, and there are late penalties for filing late. You can submit your report and payment online.

With our Annual Report Service, we can keep track of your LLC’s reporting requirements and notify you about upcoming deadlines.

Stay Legally Compliant

If anything changes with your business, you may need to report it to the Secretary of State. For example, suppose your Registered Agent’s address changes or you want to amend your Certificate of Formation. You need to document those changes with the appropriate forms. When you use our Worry-Free Compliance Service, we include two amendments per year as part of the service. In addition to that, we’ll stay on top of your compliance requirements.

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We’re here to help you start and run a thriving business. Check out the products and services we offer that are all geared toward small businesses. Let us help you with the administrative tasks so you can spend time growing your company.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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