Lesson 2 · Maine
Registered Agent in Maine (2026): a 6-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Agents
Before you begin
By the end you will know
- What Maine requires of a registered agent
- Who may act as agent
- Getting the agent on file
- Who we would hire as agent
Our graded picks for Maine
1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies in several states
Mainstay Filing earns the highest mark because a flat yearly price of $149 no matter which state the LLC is in.
Three years here cost $150 more than Maine Registered Agent.co, in return for doing more of the work.
What the price covers
- A registered office address in Maine
- A same-business-day scan of each served paper comes at no charge
- Government mail scanned free, three pieces a year
- Also works for nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs
Marks in its favor
- Covers all fifty states
- $149 a year, the same at renewal
Where it loses points
- $50 more per year than the local pick
- You still file the reports yourself
2. Maine Registered Agent.co: best for one-state companies
For number 2 we picked Maine Registered Agent.co: $99 a year buys a Maine agent with an office in the state.
What the price covers
- A Maine address for the registered office
- Online copies of served documents
Marks in its favor
- Annual price $99, renewal price $99
- A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
Where it loses points
- Serves only Maine
- It does not file the annual report
3. ME Registered Agent.org: best for a second local option
For number 3 we picked ME Registered Agent.org: $99 a year buys a Maine agent with an office in the state.
It posts the same prices as Maine Registered Agent.co.
What the price covers
- A Maine address for the registered office
- Online copies of served documents
Marks in its favor
- Annual price $99, renewal price $99
- A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
Where it loses points
- Serves only Maine
- It does not file the annual report
Prices in one table
| # | Service | Annual price | Renewal price | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Maine Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit Maine Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | ME Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit ME Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The lesson, step by step
-
Step
1Understand the requirement
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Where this comes from: Look it up at legislature.maine.gov; last checked October 2026
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Step
2See who is allowed to act
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. Authority: 5 M.R.S. § 105.
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Step
3Learn the address requirement
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.
Hiring a service keeps your own address off the public record.
-
Step
4Decide: serve yourself or hire someone
Qualified owners may act as their own agent. Otherwise our graded picks charge $99 to $149 per year.
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Step
5Name the agent in the filing
Give the agent's details when you file with the Maine Secretary of State, and file again there if you change agents.
Where this comes from: Look it up at legislature.maine.gov; last checked October 2026
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Step
6Keep the details up to date
The annual report costs $85 every year and is due June 1; any notices about it reach you through the registered agent.
Where this comes from: Look it up at maine.gov; last checked August 2026
Maine agent costs
| Step | Goes to | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Registered agent service | Service | $99 to $149 a year |
| Agent renewal | Service | $99 to $149 a year |
| Annual report | State office | $85 every year |
Why this order
won on homework the price handles (33% of the grade), with right behind.
Coverage put it ahead of Maine Registered Agent.co.
Short answers
Will my Maine LLC need a registered agent?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Owners may serve if they qualify; the qualifying tests are in steps 2 and 3.
Can I change my registered agent later?
Yes, at any time. Step 5 shows how to file the change with the Maine Secretary of State.
What does a registered agent cost in Maine?
$99 to $149 per year for the agents we graded.
What does the LLC pay the state each year?
$85 every year for the annual report.
Which registered agent would you choose?
Mainstay Filing first, then Maine Registered Agent.co and ME Registered Agent.org; Mainstay Filing leads on homework the price handles.
Class references
- Maine Secretary of State is covered in the official page at maine.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- Maine Secretary of State is covered in the official page at maine.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- Maine report due date is covered in the official page at maine.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- 31 M.R.S. sec. 1531 is covered in the official page at legislature.maine.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- Maine formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at legislature.maine.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Maine registered agent statute is covered in the official page at legislature.maine.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Mainstay Filing Maine service page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
- Maine Registered Agent.co pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
- ME Registered Agent.org pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026