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To form an LLC in Maine, you file a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State. 31 MRSA 1531 sets the rule, and section 1680 puts the fee at $175. The company is formed when that certificate is filed, or at a later date the certificate names. The first report is $85 and comes due the year after.
Our Maine business search guide covers lookups. This page is about forming the company.
What does Maine require to form an LLC?
The statute asks for three things:
- An authorized person signs a certificate of formation and files it with the Secretary of State.
- A limited liability company agreement has to exist. It can be signed before, after or at the time of filing.
- The LLC needs one or more members.
The certificate gives the LLC name and the information required by Title 5, section 105. Our Maine registered agent guide covers the agent rules we could confirm. You can add other matters if the members want.
What can I name a Maine LLC?
The ending must be one of these: Limited Liability Company, Limited Company, L.L.C., LLC, L.C. or LC. A low-profit LLC uses L3C. The name must be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records from other names (31 MRSA 1508). The statute also lets an LLC apply to use a name that is not distinguishable, and the Secretary of State may refuse names that are obscene or imply a tie to the public sector.
To hold a name while you prepare, you can reserve it for $20. The reservation lasts 120 days and cannot be renewed (31 MRSA 1509). See name reservation for the general idea.
How long does filing take in Maine?
Slow, by the state's own figure. The Division of Corporations says corporate filings take 15 to 20 business days. It also says you can check whether a filing was processed by looking up the name in Corporate Search. If you are in a hurry, the Division sells expedited service: within 24 hours for $50, or immediate for $100.
How much will the first year cost?
| Item | Maine state fee |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation | $175 |
| Annual report, first one due the next year | $85 |
| Name reservation, optional | $20 |
| 24 hour expedite, optional | $50 |
| Immediate expedite, optional | $100 |
The minimum to form is $175. The first report adds $85 the following spring, so $260 over the first two calendar years. Late filing adds a $50 penalty on top of the report fee.
What do I do after Maine approves the LLC?
Sign the LLC agreement if you have not. We found no sign that Maine collects it, so keep it with your records. Our operating agreement guide has a free generic template, which is not legal advice.
Then get an EIN. It is free, and the steps are in our EIN guide. After that, open a bank account in the LLC's name.
What yearly upkeep does Maine require?
An annual report, every year. The filing reminders page says the first one is due between January 1 and June 1 of the year after you formed, and later ones in the same window each year. The legal deadline is June 1. A formation in any month of one year means the first report falls in the next year's window.
Maine does not mail a reminder. It emails the address on file, and that email often goes to spam, so add the sender to your allow list. Miss the date and you owe a $50 penalty. If you do not pay the penalty, the state can dissolve or revoke the LLC.
An LLC that is idle can apply for an excuse ($40), which pauses reports until it files a resumption. That is a decision for your accountant.
Compare Maine's fees with its neighbours in our guides for New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. When you are ready, use the start an LLC form.