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In this lesson, we will walk you through filing your Certificate of Formation with the state. This is the document that officially forms your LLC in Maine.
You can only file your Maine Certificate of Formation by mail. Maine does not have an online filing yet.
The state filing fee is $175, and your LLC will be approved in 10-15 business days (plus mail time).
Note: You can get your LLC approved faster if you pay for expedited filing. We explain this below.
Note: Filing times may take longer due to government delays. For the most up-to-date LLC processing times, check how long does it take to get an LLC in Maine.
The “LLC filing fee” (the fee to create a Maine Limited Liability Company) is the same thing as the “Certificate of Formation fee”. The Certificate of Formation is the document which, once approved by the Secretary of State’s office, creates your Maine LLC.
How much is an LLC in Maine explains all the fees you’ll pay, including the Certificate of Formation filing fee.
(Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations Building)
If you want to hire a company to form your LLC instead of doing it yourself, check out Best LLC Services in Maine.
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)
How to Complete the Maine Certificate of Formation
Note: You can print the form, fill it out by hand (use blue or black pen), then sign it. Or, you can type inside the form on your computer, then print and sign. When printing, use regular white paper (8.5″ x 11″).
Download the Maine LLC Certificate of Formation form:
Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6)
First (LLC Name)
- Before you begin: Check out Maine LLC Name for state business name rules. This page teaches you how to search and make sure your name is available to use.
Enter your LLC name exactly as you would like it, including your preferred capitalization, as well as a designator. Note, the abbreviation “LLC” is the most common.
You can use a comma in your Maine LLC name or you can leave it out. Ex: “Crabs to Go, LLC” and “Crabs to Go LLC” are both acceptable.
Second (Filing Date)
Check the box for “Date of this filing” if you want your LLC to be effective upon filing. This means your LLC will go into existence on the date it is filed with the Maine Secretary of State.
If you need your LLC to go into existence at a later date, check off the second box and write down that date (it can’t be more than 90 days out).
Pro tip: If you’re forming your LLC in October, November, or December, and you don’t need your business open during those months, forward date your filing to January 1st. This will save you the hassle of filing any taxes for those 1-3 months.
Third (Low-profit LLC)
If you are forming a regular LLC, leave this section unchecked. Most people are forming regular, for-profit LLCs and leave this section unchecked.
If you are forming a low-profit LLC (“L3C”), you must comply with the Maine LLC Act Section 1611 rules for a low-profit LLC.
Note: A low-profit LLC (L3C) is a hybrid between a regular LLC and a non-profit organization. A low-profit LLC needs to generate profit primarily for charitable and educational purposes.
Fourth (Professional LLC)
If you are forming a regular LLC, leave this section unchecked. Most people are forming regular, non-professional LLCs and leave this section unchecked.
If you are forming a Professional LLC (“PLLC”), check off this box and write the professional services you are licensed to perform.
As per the Maine LLC Act Section 723, you are required to form a PLLC if you need a state license as a prerequisite to engaging in your profession. This includes, but is not limited to, accountants, advanced practice registered nurses, attorneys, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, osteopathic physicians, physicians and surgeons, physician assistants, podiatrists, registered nurses, and veterinarians.
Fifth (Registered Agent)
- Related Articles: If you’re not sure who can serve as your Maine Registered Agent (or you’d like to learn more about your options in Maine), please refer back to this lesson: Maine LLC Registered Agent.
- You can also learn more about the role of a Registered Agent in Registered Agent vs LLC Organizer. For more clarification, check out our article Is a Registered Agent a Member of an LLC?
If you hired a Commercial Registered Agent, check off the first box, enter their CRA Public Number (which can be found here), then enter the full company name. If you hired Northwest Registered Agent, their CRA Public Number is P10262.
If your Registered Agent is an individual (you, a friend, or a family member), check off the second box, list that person’s name, and then enter their address. Remember, PO Boxes are not allowed for Registered Agent addresses.
Sixth (Registered Agent’s Consent)
This section just states that the Registered Agent you listed has consented (agreed) to be your LLC’s Registered Agent. You do not need to enter anything in this section.
Seventh (Other Matters)
If your Maine LLC has any additional rules or regulations, you would use this section to reference an attachment (“Exhibit A” for example).
Most people leave this blank, because they don’t have any additional attachments. But if your business attorney instructed you to attach an Exhibit, list it here.
Enter today’s date, then sign your name to the left and print your name to the right. Only 1 authorized person is required to sign (even if your LLC has more than 1 member), but if you’d like 2 authorized people to sign, have the other person do the same on the second line.
Customer Contact Cover Letter
Name of Entity
Enter the full name of your LLC. Make sure it matches exactly what you entered on page 1.
Optional special handling request (and Fee)
If you are doing a non-expedited filing, leave all 3 checkboxes blank and enter “$175” on the “total filing fee enclosed” line.
If you are doing a 24-hour expedited filing for $50 extra, check off the 2nd box and enter “$225” on the “total filing fee enclosed” line.
If you are doing a 1-hour expedited filing for $100 extra, check off the 3rd box and enter “$275” on the “total filing fee enclosed” line.
Contact Information
Enter your name, phone number, and email address. The Maine Secretary of State will use this information to contact you if they have any questions about your LLC.
You must provide a name and a phone number or email, or the state will reject the filing.
The form asks for two email addresses: one for questions about the Certificate of Formation filing, and one for reminders about the Maine LLC Annual Report. All LLCs in Maine must file Annual Reports every year, so these reminders are very helpful.
You can enter the same email address on both lines. Or, if you want someone else in the LLC to get the Annual Report reminders, you can enter their email on the 2nd line.
FYI: Neither email address is published on public records. They are kept confidential with the Secretary of State’s office.
Address Where to Return Filing
Enter your name and mailing address. It can be any address you’d like, it doesn’t have to match what was entered above. It’s just the most convenient address for you to get back your approval. You can leave the “Firm or Company” line blank if needed (it’s not required).
How to Mail your Certificate of Formation to the Secretary of State
Prepare Payment
- Check or Money Order: Prepare a check or money order made payable to “Maine Secretary of State”.
- Credit or Debit Card: Download and complete this form: Charge Authorization Form
Filing Fee
If you are doing a regular filing, send $175.
If you are doing a 24-hour expedited filing ($50 extra), send $225.
If you are doing a 1-hour expedited filing ($100 extra), send $275.
Mail Documents
Send your completed Certificate of Formation (all 3 pages) along with your filing fee to:
Secretary of State
Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
Congratulations, your LLC in Maine has been filed for processing! Now you just need to wait for approval.
Maine LLC Approval
Once the state receives your filing, they will process and approve your LLC in 10-15 business days (plus mail time) unless you paid extra for expedited processing.
Once your LLC is approved, you will receive back in the mail a stamped and approved copy of your Certificate of Formation.
Maine Secretary of State Contact Info
If you have any questions, you can call the Maine Secretary of State – Corporations Division at 207-624-7752
Search your domain name
If you plan on building a website, you can quickly register your domain name. Creating a website with your business name as the domain name can help people find your business online. You can easily search and purchase a domain name through GoDaddy.
Find a domain name
References
Maine LLC Act, Section 1531
Maine Corporations Division: Small Business Resources
Maine Corporations Division: Limited Liability Companies
Maine Corporations Division: Guide to Incorporating in Maine
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
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