Certificate of Good Standing Maine
A Maine certificate of good standing verifies that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
In our Certificate of Good Standing Maine guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Maine.
Or use a professional service:
ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Maine?
You can obtain your certificate of good standing, known as a certificate of existence in Maine, by requesting it from the Secretary of State.
There are two main steps for getting your certificate of good standing:
2. Order your certificate of good standing
What is a certificate of good standing? A certificate of good standing is a state document that verifies your business was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
Step 1. Make Sure Your Maine Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Maine certificate of existence, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Maine, you must follow federal, state, and local licensing guidelines. This can include regulations like health permits and building permits.
You can find out more about state licensing requirements with the State of Maine website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Maine state tax. This can include sales tax, withholding tax, or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Annual Report
All Maine LLCs and corporations must file an annual report. This report verifies the business’s basic information including its principal office address and registered agent information.
The annual report must be filed online or by mailing a preprinted form to the Secretary of State each year by June 1. The filing fee is $85.
Step 2. Order Your Maine Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a Maine certificate of existence from the Secretary of State. This can be done online.
ORDER A MAINE CERTIFICATE OF EXISTENCE
Order Online With the Secretary of State
Order OnlineFiling Cost: $30
Need Help Filing?
Use a professional service to help you order your Maine Certificate of Existence
Our favorite choice is ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Maine?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of existence to run your business in Maine, there are several instances where you may need to get one. These include:
- Purchasing business insurance
- Applying for business loans
- Opening a business checking account
- Registering to do business in other states
Maine Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
A certificate of good standing is a legal document that confirms that your business is compliant with state regulations.
In Maine, a certificate of good standing is known as a certificate of existence.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of status or certificates of compliance.
You can get a Maine certificate of existence by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online.
In Maine, ordering a Certificate of Existence costs $30.
Because many banks and insurance companies will want a business's certificate of good standing in order to do business, we recommend getting one as soon as possible.
A Maine certificate of existence does not have a set expiration date. However, requesters — such as banks, creditors, and foreign business states — often have their own guidelines for a certificate's validity.
Obtaining a Maine certificate of existence means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Maine businesses often need a certificate of existence in order to do business outside of Maine, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Maine businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of existence. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Maine or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Maine certificate of existence, it will be available online to print.