LLC by State Guide

LLC by State Guide › Maine

The Maine LLC guide (2026)

A Maine LLC is formed by filing the Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6) with the Maine Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $175. Maine LLCs file an Annual Report every year, due June 1, for $85. Every Maine LLC must keep a registered agent with a Maine street address.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026
  • Prices verified October 2026

Maine LLC fees and rules

State filing fee
$175
Formation document
Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6)
Yearly filing
Annual Report, every year, $85
Due
June 1
Registered agent
Required. A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual or entity serving as agent in Maine, or the holder of a named position in the company.
Agent address
A noncommercial agent lists a physical street address in Maine, not a P.O. box. Commercial agents keep their address on file with the state.
Filing fee rank
42nd lowest of 50 (41 states charge less, 8 charge more)

Maine compared with nearby states

StateFiling feeYearly filing
Maine$175$85 / yr
New Hampshire$100$100 / yr
Vermont$155$45 / yr
Massachusetts$500$500 / yr

All 50 states

How to form an LLC in Maine

  1. Pick a name with “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” in it, and check that it’s free on the Maine Secretary of State business records.
  2. Name a registered agent: a commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual or entity serving as agent in Maine, or the holder of a named position in the company.
  3. File the Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6) with the Maine Secretary of State and pay $175.
  4. Get an EIN from the IRS. It is free and comes after the LLC is formed.
  5. Sign an operating agreement among the members. It sets ownership and voting rules and stays with your records.
  6. File the yearly report. Maine LLCs file an Annual Report every year, due June 1, for $85.

Mainstay Filing takes care of the agent, the filing, the EIN application and each annual report for $199 a year plus Maine’s fees.

Best overall for a Maine LLC

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year, all-in, plus state fees

$199 a year plus Maine’s $175 filing fee, which is passed through at cost.

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report, prepared and filed every year it’s due
  • Compliance reminders

The same $199 at renewal. Already have an LLC and only need an agent? Mainstay Filing’s registered agent service alone is $149 a year.

Prices verified October 21, 2026 on Mainstay Filing’s pricing and FAQ pages.

Maine LLC questions

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

$175 to the state to file. Maine LLCs file an Annual Report every year, due June 1, for $85. With Mainstay Filing, the formation filing, registered agent, EIN application and annual reports are $199 a year on top of the state fees.

Does Maine require an annual report for LLCs?

Yes. Maine LLCs file an Annual Report every year, due June 1, for $85.

Do I need a registered agent in Maine?

Yes. A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual or entity serving as agent in Maine, or the holder of a named position in the company.

Can I form a Maine LLC myself?

Yes. You can file the Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6) directly with the Maine Secretary of State and pay the $175 fee. A service such as Mainstay Filing files it for you and adds the registered agent, EIN application and annual reports for $199 a year.

Other formation services

  • Northwest Registered Agent: $39 plus the state fee, with its registered agent service included the first year, then $125 a year; annual report filing is an extra $100 plus the state fee.
  • ZenBusiness: Starter package $0 plus the state fee; Pro is $199 a year with the EIN and annual-report filing, and its registered agent is a separate $199 a year that no package includes.
  • Bizee: Basic package $0 plus the state fee (Standard $199, Premium $299), with one free year of its registered agent, which is $149 a year after that.
  • LegalZoom: Basic package $0 plus the state fee (Pro $249, Premium $299); its registered agent is $249 a year for first-time agent customers.

Prices from each company’s own pages, checked October 20, 2026. Plus the state fee in every case.

Sources