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.
We recommend Northwest ($29 + State Fees) to help form your LLC.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Maine?
Maine LLC Filing Fee: $175
The main cost to start an LLC in Maine 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.
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).
Optional LLC Formation 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.
Assumed 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.
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Maine LLC Annual Fees
When considering starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Maine, it is important to understand the ongoing costs associated with maintaining an LLC. By taking these costs into account, you can estimate the total expenses of running an LLC in Maine.
Here are the primary ongoing costs for a Maine LLC:
- Annual Report: LLCs in Maine are required to file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State. The fee for filing the annual report is $85.
- Registered Agent Fee: Maine requires every LLC to have a registered agent, sometimes referred to as a “clerk” by the state. You can choose to be your own agent, or you can hire a commercial registered agent to serve for you. Just expect to pay upwards of $200 each year.
How to Register a Maine LLC Yourself
Forming an LLC in Maine is easy. Simply follow the steps outlined on this page.
Recommended: Using an LLC formation service like Northwest ($29 + State Fees) saves time and ensures compliance. Besides the low cost, we like their streamlined approach and excellent customer service.
Maine LLC Cost FAQ
To form an LLC in Maine, the main expense you will incur is the filing fee for the Certificate of Formation. This fee is $175. Remember, this is the basic cost, and other fees might apply depending on your particular business needs, such as specific business licenses or permits.
In Maine, the Certificate of Formation for your LLC needs to be filed by mail. The documents, together with the $175 filing fee, should be sent to the Maine Secretary of State.
Yes, a registered agent is required for your LLC in Maine. This can be any individual or business entity that agrees to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC. However, in Maine, the registered agent does not need to officially consent to this role.
Yes, you can change your registered agent in Maine after your LLC is formed. In Maine, the new registered agent does not need to provide official consent for this role change.
In Maine, a DBA, which stands for "doing business as", is known as an assumed name or fictitious name. If your LLC conducts business under a name different from its legal name, you will need to register this as your DBA. However, if you plan to operate your business under the legal name of your LLC, you will not need a DBA.
In Maine, LLCs are required to file an annual report. The fee for this is $85. The annual report keeps the state updated with your business's contact and ownership information.
According to the provided data, there are no specific state compliance fees for LLCs in Maine, apart from the cost associated with filing the annual report.
In Maine, before you file your Certificate of Formation, you should ensure that your desired LLC name is available. This can be done using the Corporate Name Search.
In Maine, a Good Standing Certificate, also known as a Certificate of Existence, is a document issued by the Secretary of State. It verifies that your LLC is legally registered and is in compliance with all state requirements. This certificate can be helpful when opening business bank accounts, applying for loans, or conducting business transactions.
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