How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Maine?
The cost to start an LLC (limited liability company) in Maine is $175. This fee is paid to the Maine Secretary of State when filing the LLC’s Certificate of Formation.
Use our free Form an LLC in Maine guide to do it yourself.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Maine?
Maine LLC Filing Fee: $175
The main cost to start an LLC is the $175 fee to file your LLC's Certificate of Formation by mail or in person with the Maine Secretary of State.
For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.
Maine Annual Report Fee: $85
Maine requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State.
You can submit this form online with the Maine Secretary of State. It is due by June 1. Maine charges a $50 penalty for failure to file on time.
Registered Agent Fee
In Maine you can be your own registered agent, but using a registered agent service helps keep your company in compliance and reminds you of important filing deadlines and avoid late fees.
- If you need to form a new business and get a registered agent, the best package is by Northwest Registered Agent $29 + state fees
OR:
- If only a registered agent is required, Northwest Registered Agent provides an excellent service: $125
Read our guide to learn more about Maine Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.
Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Maine
If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Maine, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Maine.
The cost for registering a Maine foreign LLC is $250. You can register a foreign LLC in Maine by filing a Statement of Foreign Qualification to Conduct Activities (Form MLLC-12).
Business Permits and Licenses
Depending on your industry and geographical location, your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Maine. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.
Learn more about state and local licensing with our guide to getting a Maine business license.
Other LLC Filing Costs
There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:
LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 12 months prior to LLC formation by filing Form MLLC-1 and paying the $20 filing fee.
“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
File a Statement of Intention to Transact Business under an Assumed or Fictitious Name (Form MLLC-5) and pay a $125 filing fee to create an assumed name other than your legal LLC business name.
Certified Document Copies:
Obtain certified copies of your Maine business documents by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying $5.
Certificate of Existence:
Also known as a Maine certificate of good standing, you can obtain this document by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying the $30 fee. A certificate of existence is often required by banks and lending institutions.
How to Register a Maine LLC Yourself
Forming an LLC yourself is easy; just follow the five steps below.
Recommended: If you already have a business that is running as a sole proprietorship, visit our How to Change from a Sole Proprietorship to LLC page.
Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Maine
Step 1: Name Your Maine LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File a Certificate of Formation
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN
Step 1: Name Your Maine LLC
When you name your Maine LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:
- Is available for use in the state of Maine
- Meets Maine naming requirements
- Is available as a web domain
Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Maine guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Maine.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.
We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
All LLCs in Maine must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the state. But most importantly, they are responsible for accepting service of process in the event your business is sued.
Your Maine registered agent must:
- Be at least 18 years or older
- Have a physical address in Maine
- Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process
Recommended: Get a free year of registered agent services when you hire Northwest to form your LLC. $29 (plus state fees).
Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation
The Maine Form MLLC-6 - Certificate of Formation is a document that is filed with the Maine Secretary of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing a Certificate of Formation is $175.
For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Formation, visit our How to File the Maine Certificate of Formation guide.
File a Maine Certificate of Formation
File Form MLLC-6 by Mail
State Filing Cost: $175, payable to the Secretary of State
Mailing Address:
Secretary of State
Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Maine LLCs are required to create and maintain an operating agreement.
What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.
Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.
For more information on operating agreements, read our Maine LLC operating agreement guide.
Step 5: Get an EIN
What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.
Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:
- Opening a business bank account
- Hiring employees
Free EIN: You can get an EIN from the IRS website (free of charge) after forming your business.
Maine LLC Cost FAQ
Do you have to pay for a Maine LLC every year?
Yes, Maine LLCs must pay an $85 annual report fee every year. Visit our Maine LLC annual report guide for more information.
Is an LLC really necessary?
An LLC provides limited liability protection. This means an LLC protects your personal assets in the event of a business loss, such as a lawsuit or unpaid debt.
We recommend any small business that carries even the smallest amount of risk or liability to form an LLC. Learn more in our Should I Start an LLC guide.
What is the cheapest way to get an LLC?
You can save money on getting an LLC by completing the formation process yourself, making your own operating agreement, being your own registered agent, and getting your own EIN.
Check out our How to Save Money Forming Your LLC guide to learn more.
Can I pay myself a salary from my LLC?
You can pay yourself a salary from your LLC, but it would be called a draw or distribution if your LLC is taxed in the default way by the IRS.
Visit our How to Pay Myself from an LLC guide to learn more.
Is an S corp better than an LLC?
An S corporation (S corp) is an IRS tax status, not a type of business entity. An LLC can be taxed in the default way or as an S corp. For some businesses, being taxed as an S corp can make lots of sense.
Check out our LLC vs. S corp guide to find out if S corp status is right for your business.
What’s better: sole proprietorship or LLC?
A sole proprietorship is only good for businesses that carry very low risk of liability because sole proprietorships don’t offer any liability protection.
Learn more in our sole proprietorship vs. LLC guide.
Article Sources
Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services:
https://digitalmaine.com/dafs/
IRS - Employer ID Numbers:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
Maine Secretary of State:
https://www.maine.gov/sos/
SBA - Apply for licenses and permits:
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
Chamber of Commerce - Maine Chamber of Commerce List:
http://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/chambers/Maine.html