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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Maine, you mail a Certificate of Formation, Form MLLC-6, to the

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<v Dan>Maine Secretary of State and pay $175.

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<v Maya>Mail? Not online?

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

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Maine for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways

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<v Maya>to have it filed for you. Where do we start?

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<v Dan>Your name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like

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<v Dan>LLC or LC. It also has to be distinguishable from names on the Secretary of State's

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<v Dan>records.

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<v Maya>Which endings count?

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<v Dan>Limited liability company, limited company, LLC, or LC.

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<v Maya>Where do I look?

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<v Dan>The state has a free corporate name search.

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<v Dan>Use it first.

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<v Maya>Can I reserve a name?

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

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<v Maya>Who can be my registered agent in Maine?

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<v Dan>Either a commercial agent from the state's list, or a noncommercial agent with a

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<v Dan>physical Maine address.

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<v Maya>Where do I find a commercial agent?

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<v Dan>The state keeps a list of them.

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<v Maya>What about a P.O. box?

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<v Dan>Not for a noncommercial agent.

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<v Dan>It has to be a physical address.

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<v Maya>Does the agent have to agree?

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

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<v Maya>Is that information private?

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<v Dan>No, the address is public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Changing agents later costs $35.

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<v Maya>Is there an online option for formation at all?

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

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<v Maya>So what do I actually send?

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<v Dan>Form MLLC-6, the Certificate of Formation, mailed to the Secretary of State with

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<v Dan>$175.

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

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<v Dan>Good to meet you, Maya. And again, it goes by mail because Maine has no online

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<v Dan>formation filing.

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<v Maya>How long does it take?

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<v Dan>Standard processing is currently 10 to 15 business days.

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

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<v Dan>Yes. For $50 more you get next-business-day service.

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<v Dan>Same-day is $100.

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<v Maya>Do I send the operating agreement in with the form?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>Should it be written down?

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<v Dan>Yes, put yours in writing.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>What about the federal side?

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

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<v Dan>Certificate.

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<v Maya>How fast is it?

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

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<v Maya>And the beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Maine want after I'm formed?

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

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<v Maya>When does the first one come?

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

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<v Maya>What if I'm late?

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<v Dan>There's a $50 penalty on top.

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<v Maya>And if I never file?

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<v Dan>The state administratively dissolves the LLC.

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<v Dan>Reinstatement starts at $150, plus the missed reports.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself number.

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

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<v Maya>And every year after?

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<v Dan>$85 for the annual report.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Anything else I might pay for?

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

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

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

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<v Maya>Let me go back to the mail part.

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<v Maya>What is the whole path?

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<v Dan>You mail Form MLLC-6 with $175.

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<v Dan>Standard processing is currently 10 to 15 business days.

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<v Maya>And the faster options?

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

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<v Maya>So the speed is a choice.

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

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<v Maya>So the total for next-day is what?

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<v Dan>$175 plus $50, so $225.

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<v Maya>Walk me through the agent choices once more.

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<v Dan>A commercial agent on the state's list, or a noncommercial agent with a physical

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<v Dan>Maine address.

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<v Maya>And the public part?

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<v Dan>The address is public record.

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<v Maya>Is a P.O. box ever fine?

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<v Dan>No. Not for a noncommercial agent.

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<v Maya>What does a change cost?

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<v Dan>$35.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the annual report.

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<v Maya>It's $85 a year.

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

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<v Maya>What happens at the first miss?

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<v Dan>A $50 penalty on top of the $85.

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<v Maya>And leaving it unfiled?

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

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<v Maya>So filing on time is the easier path.

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<v Dan>By a wide margin.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your registered agent.

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<v Dan>Mail Form MLLC-6 with $175. Then get your EIN and

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<v Dan>write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The $85 annual report, between January 1 and June 1, starting the year after you

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<v Dan>form.

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

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Maine.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the

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<v Dan>state fee. With the $175 state fee and the $50 expedite, checkout comes to

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<v Dan>$424.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Certificate of Formation filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent

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<v Dan>every year. It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by June 1 every year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>ME Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199 plus the

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<v Dan>state fee, also $424 at checkout with the expedite.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Maine Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file the annual report yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $85 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for

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<v Dan>$397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a commercial or noncommercial registered agent,

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<v Dan>mail Form MLLC-6 with $175, write an operating agreement, get your free

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<v Dan>EIN, and file your $85 annual report by June 1 each year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Maine LLC.