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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Lesson 1 · Maine

How to Start an LLC in Maine (2026): a 7-Step Lesson and the 3 Best LLC Services

If you want help setting up an LLC in Maine during 2026, our graded list reads Mainstay Filing ($199), Maine Registered Agent.co ($199) and ME Registered Agent.org ($199). Class notes for forming the LLC run 7 steps, and the filing fee is $175 with $85 for the annual report.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

Key facts

Formation fee$175legislature.maine.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
Annual report$85 a yearMark your calendar: June 1
State fees over three years$345State charges only
Number of steps7Numbered below

Lesson goals

  • Where to file in Maine and what the fee is
  • What the registered agent rule asks of you
  • What to file every year afterward
  • The services we recommend

Maine: the services that earned a grade

We grade cost over three years first, then steps handled, renewal, Maine fit and clear pricing (report card).
Start here

1. Mainstay Filing: best for skipping the annual report paperwork

$199 a year, with $424 covering the state fee

First in the class in Maine is Mainstay Filing: one yearly price of $199 does three lesson steps for you: the filing, the registered agent and the annual report.

Maine Registered Agent.co is $200 less across three years; handling more of the lesson's steps earns this one the higher mark.

It also files the annual report for you, and Maine's $85 fee is billed at cost.

What the price covers

  • Your formation filing is prepared and submitted
  • Registered agent for twelve months
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application
  • The state fee is passed through at cost

Marks in its favor

  • No extra charge for the EIN application
  • The same $199 every year
  • $199 per year for the whole bundle

Where it loses points

  • Renews $100 higher than Maine Registered Agent.co
Maine focus

2. Maine Registered Agent.co: best for an inexpensive Maine start

$199 plus fees, $99 yearly after

Next on the report card comes Maine Registered Agent.co, graded second: $199 gets you started with a free first agent year, and $99 each year from year two.

The annual report remains on your to-do list every year.

What the price covers

  • Formation prepared and filed
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • $199 to form
  • The first agent year is included
  • Then $99 a year

Where it loses points

  • The annual report is left to you
  • It charges $99 for the EIN step
Maine focus

3. ME Registered Agent.org: best for another Maine choice

$199 plus fees, $99 yearly after

Next on the report card comes ME Registered Agent.org, graded third: $199 gets you started with a free first agent year, and $99 each year from year two.

The annual report remains on your to-do list every year.

Its prices equal Maine Registered Agent.co's, so either is a sound choice.

What the price covers

  • Formation prepared and filed
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • Then $99 a year
  • $199 to form
  • The first agent year is included

Where it loses points

  • The annual report is left to you
  • It charges $99 for the EIN step

The 3 graded picks compared

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Maine Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Maine Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3ME Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit ME Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Taken from each company's pricing on November 13, 2026. The state fee ($175) is not counted.

Forming the LLC in order

  1. Step
    1

    Check that the name is available

    Look up the name on the Maine business register at the Maine Secretary of State first.

    Check whether the matching web domain is free while you are at it.

  2. Step
    2

    Name a registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. 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.

    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.

    Any service in our graded list can be your registered agent.

    Where this comes from: legislature.maine.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  3. Step
    3

    File it on your own, or hand it off

    Doing it yourself means $175 to the state and nothing else. One of our picks charges $199 on top and takes over the paperwork.

  4. Step
    4

    Deliver the Certificate of Formation

    Here is the filing that creates the company: the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6), which you deliver to the Maine Secretary of State with a $175 fee. Usually the state takes 10 to 15 business days (home page).

    Where this comes from: legislature.maine.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  5. Step
    5

    Ask the IRS for an EIN

    Your EIN comes from the IRS rather than from Maine. Apply once the state has approved the filing, then give the number to your bank. Mainstay Filing includes the EIN application in its yearly price.

  6. Step
    6

    Sign an operating agreement

    Write down ownership and decision rules in an operating agreement. It is an internal paper and no part of the Maine filing.

  7. Step
    7

    Keep up with Maine's recurring filing

    Maine wants the annual report every year, due June 1, and the fee is $85. Miss the deadline and $50 is added.

    Where this comes from: maine.gov confirms it, as of August 2026

What you will pay

StepWho you payAmount
Filing feePaid to the state$175
Annual reportPaid to the state$85 every year
If the report is latePaid to the state$50
Optional serviceService company$199 in year one
Three-year state totalPaid to the state$345
Official Maine fees, cited below. The three-year line adds the filing fee, the reports in years two and three and any minimum tax.

How the grade worked out

Homework the price handles carries 33% of the report card, and that is where pulled ahead in Maine.

Maine wants the annual report every year, so a price that files it beat a lower price that leaves the job to you.

Test yourself on Maine

How much does Maine charge to form an LLC?

Maine charges $175. Our picks charge $199 on top.

Which form creates the LLC?

It is the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6), and you hand it to the Maine Secretary of State.

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

How long does Maine take to process the filing?

Plan on 10 to 15 business days (home page).

What does Maine require each year?

Expect to file the annual report every year, paying $85 by the deadline: June 1.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

Yes, you may. Pay the state $175 when you file, and remember that the LLC still needs a registered agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Mainstay Filing: you pay $199 each year and the formation, the registered agent service and the annual report all get done. Then come Maine Registered Agent.co and ME Registered Agent.org.

Related lessons

Class references

  1. Maine Secretary of State is covered in the official page at maine.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  2. Maine Secretary of State is covered in the official page at maine.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  3. Maine report due date is covered in the official page at maine.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  4. 31 M.R.S. sec. 1531 is covered in the official page at legislature.maine.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  5. 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.
  6. Maine registered agent statute is covered in the official page at legislature.maine.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  7. Processing time, official source is covered in the official page at maine.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  8. Mainstay Filing Maine service page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  9. Maine Registered Agent.co pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  10. ME Registered Agent.org pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026