How to Start an LLC in Maine (2026)

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

The Certificate of Formation, Form MLLC-6, costs $175, and that figure is printed on the state form itself. Your EIN is free from the IRS. The recurring cost is the $85 annual report due by June 1 each year, which puts Maine at the higher end of the range for a small business.

Q: When is the Maine annual report due?

By June 1 every year, under 31 MRSA 1665, and the fee is $85. Filing late brings additional fees, and continuing not to file leads to administrative dissolution of the LLC. The Secretary of State can generate a preprinted annual report form for you.

Q: What must a Maine LLC name include?

Under 31 MRSA 1508 the name must contain the words "limited liability company" or "limited company," or one of the abbreviations "L.L.C.," "LLC," "L.C." or "LC." A low-profit LLC uses "L3C" or "l3c." The name also has to be distinguishable from other entities on file in Maine.

Q: Is Maine an expensive state for an LLC?

At the higher end, yes. $175 to form and $85 a year is more than double what several neighbouring states charge, though Maine has no separate LLC franchise tax on top. If you live and work in Maine that is simply the cost of doing business there, and it is still small next to your insurance and vehicle costs.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

To start a Maine LLC, file the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6) with the Maine Secretary of State for $175, name a registered agent with a Maine address, and get a free EIN. The annual report is $85 and is due by June 1 every year. Maine sits at the higher end of the range on both numbers, so budget accordingly.

Quick note: we're operators, not attorneys or accountants. This is general educational info, not legal or tax advice. Maine files by paper form more than most states, so leave time for mail if you are not filing online.

Maine is one of the more expensive states to form and maintain an LLC in, with no franchise tax to complicate things but higher fees at both ends. Here is the whole process in plain English, written for people starting something real like a courier route.

June 1 is a hard date, and the fee is not small Maine's annual report is $85 and the legal filing deadline is June 1, under 31 MRSA 1665. Late filings attract additional fees, and continued failure to file leads to administrative dissolution. Because the amount is high enough to notice, put June 1 in your calendar the day your LLC is approved rather than waiting for a reminder.

How to start a Maine LLC in 6 steps

Name it, appoint a Maine registered agent, file Form MLLC-6 ($175), write an operating agreement, get a free EIN, then file the $85 annual report by June 1.

Name your Maine LLC

Under 31 MRSA 1508 the name must contain "limited liability company," "limited company," or the abbreviation "L.L.C.," "LLC," "L.C." or "LC", and it must be distinguishable from other Maine entities. Search it in the Maine corporate name search before filing.

Appoint a Maine registered agent

You need a registered agent with a Maine address to receive legal papers. You can be your own if you live in Maine, or use a commercial registered agent, which also keeps your home address off the public record. Northwest includes agent service free the first year with their $39 filing.

File the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6)

File Form MLLC-6 with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations. The filing fee is $175, printed at the top of the form itself. You can set a later effective date on the form if you want the LLC to start on a specific day.

Write an operating agreement

Maine does not require one, but write it anyway. It sets out ownership, management, and who can sign, it backs your liability protection, and banks usually ask for it at account opening. A simple template covers a single-owner courier business.

Get a free EIN from the IRS

Your EIN is free at irs.gov and takes about ten minutes. You need it for the business bank account, contracts, and hiring. Never pay a third-party site for one.

File the $85 annual report by June 1

Every Maine LLC files an annual report by June 1, and the fee is $85. The Secretary of State publishes filing requirement reminders and lets you generate a preprinted annual report form. Late filing costs more and continued non-filing leads to administrative dissolution.

Maine LLC cost breakdown

$175 to form and $85 a year. Maine is toward the top of the range at both ends.

Item	Cost	Required?
Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6)	$175	Yes
EIN	Free from the IRS	Yes (free)
Registered agent service	$0 (yourself) to $300/yr	No
Annual report (by June 1)	$85 per year	Yes
Late annual report	Additional fees apply	If late

Maine figures as of August 2026, taken from Form MLLC-6, which prints the $175 filing fee on the form, and the Secretary of State annual report guidance under 31 MRSA 1665. Confirm before filing.

Rather have it filed for you? Northwest will form your Maine LLC for $39 + the $175 state fee and act as your registered agent the first year, keeping your home address off the public record. See the $39 formation service → Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Setting up to run courier routes in Maine?

The LLC is step one. Our course covers the rest: insurance and certifications, the business bank account, and how to find routes and win contracts with Maine clinics, labs, and hospitals.

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Maine LLC FAQs

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

Form MLLC-6 costs $175 and your EIN is free. Then $85 a year for the annual report, due June 1.

When is the Maine annual report due?

By June 1 each year, and it costs $85. Late filing brings extra fees and continued non-filing leads to administrative dissolution.

What must a Maine LLC name include?

It must contain "limited liability company," "limited company," or LLC, L.L.C., LC or L.C., and be distinguishable from other Maine entities.

Is Maine an expensive state for an LLC?

Toward the top of the range: $175 to form and $85 a year, though there is no separate LLC franchise tax on top.

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