- Filing fee
- $175
- Annual Report
- $85
- First-year gov. cost
- $175
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Maine will accept
Must contain Limited Liability Company or an abbreviation.
Search existing Maine business names before you commit. Maine naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address within the state.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Maine registered agent options.
File the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6)
Submit it to the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions and pay $175. Applies strictly to paper filings as the state does not offer online formation.
Processing: online N/A; by mail 25 to 30 business days plus mail transit time. Expedite: 24-hour turnaround for an additional $50, or immediate same-day processing for an additional $100..
Write an operating agreement
Required by Maine law (the LLC Agreement) to govern internal affairs, but it remains a private document and is never filed.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report ($85), due January 1 to June 1. Flat $50 penalty Maine report deadlines.
Every Maine LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6) | $175 | Applies strictly to paper filings as the state does not offer online formation. |
| Annual Report | $85 | annual, January 1 to June 1 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $20 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $35 | |
| Amendment | $50 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $30 | |
| Statement of Foreign Qualification (Form MLLC-12) | $250 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Certificate of Cancellation (Form MLLC-11C) | $75 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $125 | state |
How Maine compares nationally
- Maine's filing fee of $175 is the 9th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Maine's first-year government cost of $175 is the 12th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Maine's yearly cost after that of $85 is the 16th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions costs $175 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Maine street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Maine's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Maine fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $175 | $0 |
| Northwest | $214 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $175 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No specific LLC franchise tax. Pass-through profits are subject to personal income tax up to 9.15%. Uniform sales tax rate is 5.5%.
What's different about Maine
- Insistence on paper-based formation forces founders to endure long waits or pay expedite fees.
- June 1 annual report deadline catches many multi-state operators off guard.
More Maine LLC guides
Maine LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maine?
The Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions charges $175 to file the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $175 in government fees (Assuming standard mail processing for Certificate of Formation.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Maine?
Online: N/A. By mail: 25 to 30 business days plus mail transit time. Expedited: 24-hour turnaround for an additional $50, or immediate same-day processing for an additional $100..
Does a Maine LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Maine requires the Annual Report, which costs $85, filed annual. Due: January 1 to June 1. Flat $50 penalty
Can I be my own registered agent in Maine?
Yes. Must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address within the state. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Maine require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Maine has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Maine?
Required by Maine law (the LLC Agreement) to govern internal affairs, but it remains a private document and is never filed.
What taxes does a Maine LLC pay to the state?
No specific LLC franchise tax. Pass-through profits are subject to personal income tax up to 9.15%. Uniform sales tax rate is 5.5%.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.