How to Start an LLC in Maine (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Maine, you mail a Certificate of Formation, Form MLLC-6, to the Maine Secretary of State and pay $175.

Maya Mail? Not online?

Dan Maine has no online formation filing, so it goes by mail.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Maine for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we start?

0:29 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan Your name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like LLC or LC. It also has to be distinguishable from names on the Secretary of State's records.

Maya Which endings count?

Dan Limited liability company, limited company, LLC, or LC.

Maya Where do I look?

Dan The state has a free corporate name search. Use it first.

Maya Can I reserve a name?

Dan Yes, for 120 days. That's $20.

1:02 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my registered agent in Maine?

Dan Either a commercial agent from the state's list, or a noncommercial agent with a physical Maine address.

Maya Where do I find a commercial agent?

Dan The state keeps a list of them.

Maya What about a P.O. box?

Dan Not for a noncommercial agent. It has to be a physical address.

Maya Does the agent have to agree?

Dan Listing the agent confirms they've agreed to serve.

Maya Is that information private?

Dan No, the address is public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents later costs $35.

1:38 Step 3: Mail the Certificate of Formation

Maya Is there an online option for formation at all?

Dan No, not for formation. The annual report you can file online.

Maya So what do I actually send?

Dan Form MLLC-6, the Certificate of Formation, mailed to the Secretary of State with $175.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Good to meet you, Maya. And again, it goes by mail because Maine has no online formation filing.

Maya How long does it take?

Dan Standard processing is currently 10 to 15 business days.

Maya That's a wait. Can I speed it up?

Dan Yes. For $50 more you get next-business-day service. Same-day is $100.

2:21 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Do I send the operating agreement in with the form?

Dan No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee. Keep it with your records.

Maya Should it be written down?

Dan Yes, put yours in writing.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:44 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What about the federal side?

Dan Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Certificate.

Maya How fast is it?

Dan If the online application is approved, the IRS issues the number right away.

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

3:06 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What does Maine want after I'm formed?

Dan An annual report, every year, between January 1 and June 1.

Maya When does the first one come?

Dan The year after you form. It's $85, and you can file it online.

Maya What if I'm late?

Dan There's a $50 penalty on top.

Maya And if I never file?

Dan The state administratively dissolves the LLC. Reinstatement starts at $150, plus the missed reports.

3:34 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself number.

Dan $175 to form. Add $50 if you want next-day processing.

Maya And every year after?

Dan $85 for the annual report.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan Free.

Maya Anything else I might pay for?

Dan A name reservation at $20, and $35 if you change agents later.

Maya So what's day one, with next-day processing?

Dan $225 for the Certificate. The first $85 report comes the year after you form.

4:09 Mail and processing time

Maya Let me go back to the mail part. What is the whole path?

Dan You mail Form MLLC-6 with $175. Standard processing is currently 10 to 15 business days.

Maya And the faster options?

Dan $50 more for next business day, or $100 more for same-day.

Maya So the speed is a choice.

Dan It is. Standard costs nothing extra, but you wait.

Maya So the total for next-day is what?

Dan $175 plus $50, so $225.

4:46 Picking your registered agent

Maya Walk me through the agent choices once more.

Dan A commercial agent on the state's list, or a noncommercial agent with a physical Maine address.

Maya And the public part?

Dan The address is public record.

Maya Is a P.O. box ever fine?

Dan No. Not for a noncommercial agent.

Maya What does a change cost?

Dan $35.

5:05 Why the annual report matters

Maya Let me press on the annual report. It's $85 a year.

Dan And it has a firm window, January 1 to June 1.

Maya What happens at the first miss?

Dan A $50 penalty on top of the $85.

Maya And leaving it unfiled?

Dan Administrative dissolution. Reinstatement starts at $150, plus the missed reports.

Maya So filing on time is the easier path.

Dan By a wide margin.

5:32 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your registered agent. Mail Form MLLC-6 with $175. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The $85 annual report, between January 1 and June 1, starting the year after you form.

5:54 The 3 best ways to file in Maine

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else file?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Maine. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $175 state fee and the $50 expedite, checkout comes to $424.

Maya What does that include?

Dan Your Certificate of Formation filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan Mainstay files it by June 1 every year. You pay only the state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan ME Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199 plus the state fee, also $424 at checkout with the expedite. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Maine Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How do I choose?

Dan If you'll file the annual report yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $85 state fee is the same either way.

7:20 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes, and with Mainstay that gap pays for your annual report being filed every year.

7:44 Recap

Maya Can I hear it one more time?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a commercial or noncommercial registered agent, mail Form MLLC-6 with $175, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $85 annual report by June 1 each year.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Maine LLC.