Maine LLC Cost (2026): $175 Certificate of Formation and an $85 Report Due June 1

The $175 Certificate of Formation

A Maine LLC exists once the Bureau files its Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6). The fee is $175 whether you file online or on paper. The certificate is short: the LLC's name, its registered agent, and whether it is managed by members or managers are the core items.

Maine distinguishes between a commercial registered agent, one registered with the state as a business that serves as agent for many entities, and a noncommercial agent, such as an owner or friend. Either is allowed, but a noncommercial agent's street address goes on the public record.

The $85 Report Due June 1

Every domestic Maine LLC files an annual report by June 1, starting the calendar year after it was formed. An LLC formed in September 2026 files its first report by June 1, 2027. The fee is $85 and the report confirms the LLC's registered agent and principal office.

A report filed after June 1 carries a $50 late penalty, bringing the total to $135. If the report remains unfiled, the Secretary of State can administratively dissolve the LLC, and reinstating it costs more than simply filing on time. Foreign LLCs registered to do business in Maine pay $150 per year instead of $85.

Paying $50 or $100 to Skip the Line

Standard processing is usually enough, but the Bureau offers two paid options when timing matters: $50 for 24-hour review and $100 for same-day review, on top of the $175 filing fee. A same-day filing therefore costs $275. Reserve that for a closing, a lease signing, or a bank appointment that needs the certificate in hand.

Maine's Operating Agreement Rule

The Maine Limited Liability Company Act assumes every LLC has a limited liability company agreement, which may be written, oral, or implied. You do not file it with the state and there is no fee, but a written agreement is what a bank, investor, or court will ask to see. For a multi-member LLC it is the document that decides profit splits, voting, and what happens when a member leaves. Writing one yourself costs nothing beyond your time.

Maine 3-Year Cost

A DIY Maine LLC costs $345 in state fees over three years. The $289 extra with Northwest Registered Agent is registered agent service after year one, which comes with June 1 reminders so the $50 penalty never applies.

When a Maine LLC may not be worth it yet: if your side income is small and carries little liability, the $175 filing plus $85 every year is a real share of your profit. Start as a sole proprietor, and form the LLC once you have clients, a lease, or employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

$175 for the Certificate of Formation. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $214, including a free first year of registered agent service.

When is the Maine LLC annual report due?

June 1 every year, starting the year after the LLC is formed. The fee is $85.

What is the late fee for a Maine annual report?

$50, for a total of $135 when filed after June 1.

Does a Maine LLC need an operating agreement?

Maine law assumes every LLC has one, whether written, oral, or implied. It is not filed with the state, but a written agreement is strongly recommended.