Maine LLC Filing Fees and Requirements

Filing fee: $175 (Form MLLC-6, Certificate of Formation)

Processing time: Standard: varies; 24-hour expedite: +$50; same-day expedite: +$100

State agency: Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions

Annual report due: June 1 each year — $85 for domestic LLCs, $150 for foreign LLCs

State tax rate: No state-level LLC franchise tax; Maine imposes a personal income tax on pass-through income

Forming an LLC in Maine requires filing Form MLLC-6 — the Certificate of Formation — with the Maine Secretary of State and paying a $175 state filing fee. After formation, you'll need to file an annual report by June 1 each year and meet any applicable licensing requirements for your industry and location.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maine?

The state filing fee to form a Maine LLC is $175. That covers the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6) filed with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions. If you need your LLC approved faster, Maine offers 2 expedited options on top of the base fee.

Maine doesn't offer online filing for the Certificate of Formation — you'll submit by mail or in person. That's one detail that catches people off guard, especially if they're used to states with fully online formation portals.

• Standard filing fee: $175
• 24-hour expedited processing (next business day): +$50
• Same-day expedited processing (immediate): +$100
• Annual report fee (domestic LLC): $85 due by June 1 each year
• Annual report fee (foreign LLC): $150 due by June 1 each year
• Employer Identification Number (EIN): free from the IRS
• Operating agreement: no state filing fee — this is an internal document

Maine LLC naming requirements

Your LLC name must include "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation — "LLC" or "L.L.C." — and it must be distinguishable from every other business name already on file with the Maine Secretary of State.

Maine law also restricts certain words — names that imply banking, insurance, or government affiliation are off-limits unless your business is authorized for those activities. Check name availability using the Maine Secretary of State's Corporate Name Search tool before you file.

How to file your Maine Certificate of Formation

To form a domestic LLC in Maine, file Form MLLC-6 with the Maine Secretary of State along with a Customer Contact Cover Letter and the $175 filing fee. Maine does not accept online filings for LLC formation — you'll need to mail or hand-deliver your documents.

The form asks for your LLC name, your registered agent's name and physical Maine address, and whether the LLC will be managed by members or managers. If you want expedited processing, mark the appropriate box on the form and include the extra fee — $50 for next-business-day processing or $100 for same-day.

• Form: MLLC-6 (Certificate of Formation)
• Fee: $175 standard; $225 with 24-hour expedite; $275 with same-day expedite
• Submission: mail or in-person delivery only
• Address: Department of the Secretary of State, Corporations, UCC and Commissions, 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101
• Required information: LLC name, registered agent name and Maine street address, management structure

Maine annual report requirements

Maine LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State by June 1 each year to stay in good standing. The filing fee is $85 for domestic LLCs and $150 for foreign LLCs registered in Maine. You can file online through the Maine Annual Reports Online system or submit a paper form.

Missing the June 1 deadline doesn't immediately dissolve your LLC, but it can put your good standing at risk. Filing on time is the simplest way to keep your business active and avoid complications with banks, contracts, or future filings.

Operating agreement

Maine law allows an LLC operating agreement to be written, oral, or implied — but a written agreement is strongly recommended. Some Maine practitioners treat a written agreement as required even for single-member LLCs, while others describe it as optional but essential for avoiding disputes.

Either way, the operating agreement is an internal document. You don't file it with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee to create one. It covers management structure, member rights, how profits and losses are divided, and how the business handles major decisions. Having one in place before you open a bank account or bring on a partner saves a lot of friction later.

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Every LLC should get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You'll need it to open a business bank account, file federal taxes, and hire employees. The IRS issues EINs at no cost — you can apply at irs.gov/ein.

You can use your Social Security number instead for a single-member LLC with no employees. But an EIN keeps your personal number off business documents and is worth getting regardless of your LLC's size.

Maine business licenses and permits

Maine doesn't have a single general business license that covers all LLCs. What you need depends on your industry, your location, and the type of work you do. Some licenses are issued by the state, others by your city or county, and some industries — like food service, childcare, or construction — have their own licensing boards.

A cleaning business, for example, may need a local business registration and proof of liability insurance, while a contractor needs a state-issued license from the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Check with your local municipality and the relevant state agency for your industry to figure out exactly what applies to your business. A tax professional or attorney can help you sort through requirements specific to your situation.