Maine Registered Agent
All limited liability companies (LLCs) are required to appoint a Maine registered agent to accept service of process.
You can be your own registered agent but most business owners choose to use a service. This is because services are affordable and they:
- Increase privacy and day-to-day flexibility
- Reduce risk
- Help with managing documentation
We’ll help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC formation ($29 plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Maine
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A Maine registered agent will serve as your business’s primary point of contact with the state, and will also receive service of process in the event that you get sued.
In Maine, you will need to appoint a registered agent as an LLC or corporation. This can be a registered agent service or an individual, so long as they:
- Are at least 18 years old.
- Have a physical street address in Maine.
- Are always available during regular business hours at their registered office address.
Maine Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Hiring a third-party service will ensure that you do not have to be physically present in your physical business address.
- Privacy: Since your registered agent’s address and name will become publicly available as soon as your business is registered, you can hire a third-party service in order to protect your personal information.
- Legal compliance: Most third-party services come with additional features that will help you stay legally compliant (e.g., annual report reminders, etc.).
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes you can. This can be a great idea if you are operating on an exceptionally tight budget (since it can be done free of charge).
Having said that, being your own agent is not recommended due to the fact that it’s a relatively time-inefficient process.
It will also not offer you any privacy protections.
If you are planning to form a new LLC, it will make sense to hire an LLC formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These types of services can cost as little as $29 per formation (plus state fees).
If you are forming an LLC but prefer to file the paperwork yourself and act as your own registered agent, take a look at our How to Start an LLC in Maine guide.
Best Maine Registered Agent Service
If you're in Maine and either looking to form a new LLC or switch your existing registered agent, it's crucial to consider factors like cost, range of services, reputation, and customer support.
Many people seek registered agents offering features like mail forwarding, document scanning, and compliance monitoring.
Northwest Special Offer
If you haven't formed your LLC yet, consider Northwest's LLC formation package for $29 plus state fees, which includes a free first year of registered agent service.
- Premium customer service
- Streamlined ordering
- Robust privacy features
To help you make an informed choice, we've compiled a table comparing the top 5 Maine registered agent services below.
 |
Best Registered Agent Services |
|
|
Northwest
4.7/5 |
BEST REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE
|
VISIT SITE |
|
LegalZoom
4.5/5 |
TRUSTED AND WELL-KNOWN COMPANY
|
VISIT SITE |
|
ZenBusiness
4.3/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Bizee
4.1/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Rocket Lawyer
3.9/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
Whether you're starting a new business or considering a change, it's crucial to weigh factors like pricing, services, reputation, and customer support when choosing a registered agent in Maine. Compare quotes and read online reviews to find the best fit for your needs.
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
Many businesses choose to use a professional registered agent service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A third-party service will ensure that you don’t miss an important legal document or notification (e.g., service of process, etc.) as a result of not being in your office (or as a result of a human error).
- Improved privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and address will become public record on the Maine Corporate Name Search. Using a third-party service will help keep your information private.
- Discretion: When it comes to legal disputes, you will want to avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients and/or some employees.
- Better storage: Your service will generally scan all documents received and upload them online in PDF form. This means that you will always be able to access them online, and won’t have to worry about losing an important document.
A national registered agent service can also be beneficial if you plan to expand into other states as a foreign LLC. This is because, otherwise, you would need to find an individual or business entity that is a resident — or is allowed to transact business — in each state that you want to register in.
How Do I Elect a Registered Agent in Maine?
For your LLC in Maine, you will be required to elect your agent when you complete your LLC’s Certificate of Formation.
This is the main formation document that you will need to file with the Maine Secretary of State (also known as Articles of Organization outside of Maine).
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Certificate of Formation ($175 filing fee required), fill out the required fields and submit a physical copy with Maine’s Secretary of State. You’ll be asked to provide your registered Agent’s information near the bottom of page 2.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Maine
If you want to appoint a new agent, you will need to fill out a Statement of Appointment or Change form.
Keep in mind that different forms will need to be completed depending on how your business is registered:
- LLC (Commercial Agent)
- LLC (Noncommercial Agent)
- Corporation (Commercial Clerk)
- Corporation (Noncommercial Clerk)
- Nonprofit (Commercial Agent)
- Nonprofit (Noncommercial Agent)
You can file your form by mail or in person and pay the applicable fee with a check.
Mailing Address:
Secretary of State
Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
For more information read our how to change registered agents in Maine guide.
Registered Agent FAQ
Yes you can, although this is rarely recommended.
This is because acting as your own Maine registered agent will not save you an important amount of capital (i.e., around $90 per year.), and it will also expose certain elements of your personal information to the general public (e.g., name, address, etc.).
For more information, see our Maine Registered Agent article.
It can do, depending on how your business is registered.
A registered agent — also known as a resident agent — is required for corporations, nonprofit organizations, and LLCs but not for sole proprietorships and general partnerships.
See our What is a Registered Agent article for more information.
You can change your agent by filing a Statement of Appointment or Change form with the Secretary of State.
Note: A different form will need to be filed depending on how your business is registered (e.g., corporation, LLC, etc.).
See our How Do I Change My Registered Agent in Maine article for a more-in depth overview.
Anyone, as long as they satisfy the following requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a physical address in Maine
- Must always be available during normal business hours
This can be yourself, a premium registered agent service, or a partner.
A noncommercial agent is a registered agent that has not filed a listing statement with the Secretary of State (unlike a commercial agent).
Maine requires LLCs and corporations to appoint an agent (commercial or otherwise) in order to be formed.