If you’re starting a business in Virginia, you may consider forming a limited liability company (LLC). Before diving in, you should knowthat ...
The fee is $20, and the name will be held for 120 days.
Written by: Carolyn Young
Carolyn Young has over 25 years of experience in business in various roles, including bank management, marketing management, and business education.
Reviewed by: Sarah Ruddle
For over 15 years, Sarah Ruddle has been a noteworthy leader in the business and nonprofit world.
Updated on April 19, 2023
If you’re starting a business in Maine, you may consider forming a limited liability company (LLC). Before diving in, you should know that this comes with costs.
To help prepare you, this handy guide details all you need to know about the cost of launching an LLC in Maine.
Requirement | Cost |
---|---|
Name Reservation Fee | $20 |
LLC Registration Fee | $175 |
Business License Fees | Vary by localities and type of business |
DBA fee | Varies by city |
Annual Report Fee | $85 |
One of your first decisions will be what to name your LLC. Once you’ve chosen the perfect name, you can reserve it with the state until you’re ready to form your LLC officially.
To do so, you’ll need to make sure the name is available. Here’s how:
To ensure the business name is available, go to the Secretary of State’s website and enter the names you like as well as similar names. You don’t want a business name that can be easily confused with other businesses in Maine.
In Maine, your LLC name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” or an abbreviation such as LLC or L.L.C., and your name cannot include words that could confuse your Maine LLC with any government agency. Your name also cannot include words like bank, insurance, or university without approval from state authorities.
Additionally, your name cannot imply that you’re involved in any unlawful activity or contain obscenities, and it must be distinguishable from all other business names in Maine.
It’s a good idea to ensure the name has not been trademarked. Check with the US Patent and Trademark Office to ensure the name is available nationally.
You’ll want to ensure the domain name is available. You can check at a site like GoDaddy.com and use .com or .org, as those give your business more credibility.
Do a Google search to ensure the name is not being used in the U.S. or internationally. This is particularly important if you plan to have a strong online presence for your business.
Once you’ve done your due diligence and know your preferred business name is available, you can reserve the name with the state using this name reservation form.
The fee is $20, and the name will be held for 120 days.
To officially form your LLC, you’ll file a certificate of formation with the state of Maine by visiting the Secretary of State’s website to download the form. You’ll need the following information:
You’ll mail the form to:
Secretary of State
Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
You cannot file the form online in Maine.
The fee is $175, and your LLC should be approved in 10 to 18 business days.
Your LLC may also need to obtain licenses and permits at the federal, state, and local levels. These, of course, come with varying fees.
At the federal level, licenses and permits are generally industry-specific and may include health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
You may need a general business license to operate at the state level. If you sell tangible goods or services subject to sales tax, you’ll need a sales tax license, also known as a seller’s permit.
Check the SBA guide for specific licenses required for your business.
Here are some standard licenses and permits you may need:
This is a significant step in the LLC formation process, so make sure to check with your state and local government offices to find out all the licenses and permits that you need and their costs. If you operate without the proper licenses and permits.
If you need help, it’s a good idea to consult a business attorney to ensure you’re in full compliance. You can also use a service like MyCorporation to do the research and provide you with all the forms you need to license your business.
If you plan to do business under a name that is not your LLC, you’ll need to register a “doing business as,” or DBA, name.
To do so, you’ll need to contact your city clerk’s office. DBAs are not filed at the state level in Maine.
In Maine, you must file an annual report to verify your business information and confirm you’re still doing business.
The report can be filed online with the Secretary of State, and the fee is $85.
Starting an LLC in Maine is rather a complicated process that includes a handful of fees. There are several hoops to jump through. Still, the benefits of ensuring your LLC is properly registered, and fully compliant are huge, while the alternative risks significant penalties.
LLC formation can be daunting, so many entrepreneurs prefer a professional service like ZenBusiness. This ensures the process is done correctly, saving time and giving you peace of mind.
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