Filed with
Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions
Document
Certificate of Formation
Recurring filing
Every year
- 01
Choose a name for your Maine LLC
Maine LLC name checker →The name must contain "limited liability company", "limited company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "L.C." or "LC" ("limited" may be abbreviated "Ltd." and "company" may be abbreviated "Co."). It also has to be distinguishable from every business already on the Maine register.
Check it against Maine's naming rules with our name checker before you file.
- 02
Choose a registered agent
Every Maine LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in Maine, available in business hours to accept legal papers and state notices.
You can be your own agent, but your address goes on the public record and you need to be there during business hours. A registered agent service keeps your home address off the filing.
- 03
File your Certificate of Formation
Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions →The Certificate of Formation is the document that creates your LLC. It is filed with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions.
It names the LLC, its registered agent and address, and whether it is managed by its members or by managers.
- 04
Write an operating agreement
Maine operating agreement rules and free generator →The operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. It is not filed with the state, but banks often ask for it, and without one your state’s default rules decide disputes between members.
- 05
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is the LLC’s federal tax number. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire, and it is free from the IRS.
- 06
Open a business bank account
Keep the LLC’s money separate from yours from the first day. Mixing them is the most common reason courts set aside an LLC’s liability protection.
- 07
Get the licenses your business needs
Maine business license lookup →Forming the LLC is not a business license. Check whether Maine requires a state license, what your city or county requires, and whether your trade is licensed. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for Maine sales tax too.
- 08
Keep your Maine LLC in good standing
Compliance deadline tracker →Maine LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and June 1 each year.
The first one is due between January 1 and June 1 of the year after the calendar year the LLC was formed.
Worth knowing in Maine
- The Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6) is a fillable form that is printed and mailed to the Secretary of State. The state's online services cover annual reports and searches, not new LLC formations.
- The Corporations Division lists processing times for corporate filings of several weeks, so plan ahead.
- Annual reports can be filed online through Maine's Annual Report Online service.
Or have it done for $399
We check your name, file your Certificate of Formation with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions and pay the state fee, act as your Maine registered agent for the first year, get your EIN and write your operating agreement. One price, nothing else to buy.
Sources
Nearby states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Maine?
Choose an available name, appoint a registered agent in Maine, and file a Certificate of Formation with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions. Then write an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maine?
Maine charges a filing fee for the Certificate of Formation. With StartGlobal the total is $399, with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. See our Maine LLC cost page for the yearly costs.
Does a Maine LLC have to file an annual report?
Maine LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and June 1 each year. The first one is due between January 1 and June 1 of the year after the calendar year the LLC was formed.
What is the Certificate of Formation?
The document filed with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions that creates your LLC. It gives the LLC's name, its registered agent and registered office in Maine, and how it is managed.
Can I be my own registered agent in Maine?
Yes, if you have a physical address in Maine and are there during business hours. That address becomes part of the public record.
