Do I need a lawyer to Form a LLC in Maine? |
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The short answer is no.
The state of Maine does not legally require a lawyer to form a
Maine Limited Liability Company (LLC).
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The short answer is no.
The state of Maine does not legally require a lawyer to form a
Maine Limited Liability Company (LLC).
Our detailed LLC Information page may help you understand some
of the implications of forming a Maine LLC.
However, if there is anything about Forming a LLC in Maine
that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Maine lawyer, a Maine accountant,
or a Maine Business advisor before you form a LLC in Maine.
Once you have made the decision to Form a LLC in Maine, a Maine lawyer
can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents
to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new
Maine Limited Liability Company.
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Do I have to Reserve a Company Name before I Form a LLC in Maine?
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You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Maine LLC before you submit your application to
Form a LLC in Maine.
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You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Maine LLC before you submit your application to Form a LLC in
Maine.
Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Maine LLC depends entirely on your business situation.
The Maine Secretary of State uses names on a first come first served basis.
So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Maine Company Name.
Click here for more information on
Maine Company Name Reservation
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What if the Maine LLC Name I want is already taken?
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If the Name you have chosen for your new Maine LLC is already in use by a currently active
Maine Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that LLC Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Maine Secretary of State. "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As."
We verify that the Name you have chose for your new Maine LLC is available before we submit
your new LLC filing to the Maine Secretary of State.
If necessary we can register a DBA Name in Maine for you so that you can open your new Maine business as quickly as possible.
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What do I have to do to Form a LLC in Maine?
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6 things you have to do in order to Form a LLC in Maine.
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6 things you have to do in order to Form a LLC in Maine.
1. Choose a name for your Maine LLC
2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Maine LLC
3. Determine who will be Members and who will Manage your Maine LLC
4. Determine how you want your Maine LLC to be taxed
5. File Articles of Organization with the Maine Secretary of State
6. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
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1. Choose a name for your Maine LLC
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Your Maine LLC name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide;
or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
In any case, the Maine LLC name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Maine LLC or other
registered Maine business entity, such as a Maine Corporation or LLP.
The LLC name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Maine.
Your Maine LLC name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your
Articles of Organization;
and your Maine LLC name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
The name of a Maine LLC must include the word "LLC" or
"Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation of one of these words.
It's important to choose a good name for your Maine LLC because if you want to change it after you
Form a LLC in Maine you
will have to file amended Articles of Organization with the Maine Secretary of State (and pay a fee).
We will:
- Check to make sure that your Maine LLC name is available
- Make sure your Maine LLC name conforms to state of Maine regulations
- Reserve your Maine LLC name with the Maine Secretary of State
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2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Maine LLC
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Every Maine LLC must have an address that is physically located in the state of Maine.
This address is "registered" with the Maine Secretary of State.
The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
The individual or company that is registered with the state of Maine to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Maine
LLC is called a "Registered Agent" or "Agent for Service of Process".
You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Maine LLCs hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical
address within the state of Maine or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
- We can act as the official Registered Agent for your Maine LLC.
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3. Determine who will be Members and who will Manage your Maine LLC
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The owners of a Maine LLC are called Members - not Partners or Shareholders.
(a Maine Limited Liability Company does not issue stock).
Members make all business decisions and realize the financial benefits generated by the Maine LLC.
Division of ownership and distribution of profits are decided by private agreement among the Members.
Each Maine LLC must have at least one Member.
Members need not live in the state of Maine or be citizens of the United States.
Managers are responsible for the day to day operation of the Maine LLC.
Members elect or appoint Managers and have the power to remove them.
Managers may or may not be Members of the Maine LLC.
Management for your Maine LLC may be defined in your Articles of Organization or, more commonly, in an Operating Agreement.
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4. Determine how you want your Maine LLC to be taxed
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The IRS does not recognize a Limited Liability Company as a classification for federal tax purposes.
Maine LLC Members can elect for the IRS to tax the LLC as a sole proprietorship, partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation.
This decision may be made after the Maine LLC is created.
If a single Member Maine LLC does not declare a tax classification it is taxed the same as a sole
proprietorship.
A multiple Member Maine LLC that does not declare a tax classification is taxed as a general partnership.
More specific federal LLC tax information can be found at the
IRS web site.
- If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Maine LLC and include it with
your LLC formation documents.
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5. File Articles of Organization with the Maine Secretary of State
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A Maine Limited Liability Company is a type of business that is authorized by the state of Maine - not by the federal government.
In order to form a LLC in Maine you must file Articles of Organization with the Maine Secretary of State.
The Articles of Organization must include certain specific information about your Maine LLC.
If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Maine requirements they will be rejected.
You may subsequently amend the Articles of Organization for your Maine LLC but you will have to pay a fee to the state of
Maine in order to make the changes official.
- We can prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Maine Secretary of State.
We've been doing it for over 10 years.
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6. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
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A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a
business entity.
An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Maine LLC.
All Maine LLCs electing to be taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation are required to have a FEIN.
If you do not elect to have your Maine LLC taxed as a Corporation you may still need to get a FEIN if it is composed of multiple members or
if you plan to have employees.
If you plan to form a Single Member Maine LLC you may not need a separate FEIN for the LLC if you have no employees.
The sole Member of a Single Member Maine LLC may be able to use his or her Social Security Number instead of applying for an FEIN.
You may request a FEIN for your Maine LLC for banking or state tax purposes, but an FEIN may not be required for federal tax purposes depending
on your business circumstances.
- We can get a FEIN for your Maine LLC as soon as it is approved by the Maine Secretary of State.
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What do I have to do after I form my Maine LLC? |
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5 things you have to do after you Form a LLC in Maine.
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5 things you have to do after you Form a LLC in Maine.
1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Maine for your ME LLC
3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
4. File the required Maine LLC reports
5. Keep proper records of your Maine LLC on file
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1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
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An Operating Agreement defines the rules by which your Maine LLC will operate.
It is the core document that is referred to when issues concerning your LLC need to be resolved.
Operating Agreements may include requirements for almost anything that involves the management and operation of your Maine LLC.
By having an Operating Agreement all Members will be provided with a clear set of rules they have agreed upon thus reducing the likelihood of
disagreement in the future.
Items commonly included in an Operating Agreement for a Maine LLC:
- Rights and duties of Members
- Member contributions
- Record keeping and reporting requirements
- Distribution of profits
- Allocation of losses
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- Management duties
- Meeting requirements
- Voting requirements
- Admission and termination of Members
- Dissolution procedures
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Although an Operating Agreement is not required in the state of Maine, if you plan to form a multiple Member Maine LLC
it is highly advisable to have one.
Having an Operating Agreement will save you a lot of time and money should conflict arise down the line.
As your Maine LLC grows over time, you may amend your Operating Agreement as necessary.
When your Maine LLC has an Operating Agreement your business will be governed by your own rules and not some canned business rules created by
the state of Maine.
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2. Open a Business Bank Account in Maine
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It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Maine LLC.
Mixing personal and business funds may get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.
It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account for your Maine Limited Liability Company.
Specific requirements vary from bank to bank.
In most cases you will need a FEIN, a copy of your Maine LLC Articles of Organization, and a resolution identifying authorized signers
if those names are not listed in the Articles.
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3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
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Note that forming a Maine LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax
registration certificate, or other required business permits.
A Maine LLC merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owner's personal liability.
You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Maine LLC you may need to get one or more city
business licenses or permits.
The business licenses or permits that are required for your Maine LLC vary depending on your business activities
and the specific locations within the state of Maine in which you want to conduct business.
If your Maine LLC will be selling products in Maine you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate
Maine state agency.
If your Maine LLC will be selling products in Maine you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Maine
sales taxes if there are any.
- We can research and prepare the necessary forms for your required business licenses and permits and include them in your Maine LLC package.
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4. File the required Maine LLC reports
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Each Maine LLC must file a with the Maine Secretary of State.
The Maine includes basic information about your Maine LLC.
Failure to submit a properly completed Maine to the Maine Secretary of State on or before the
due date may subject the Maine LLC to being administratively dissolved in the state of Maine or having its authority to
transact business in the state of Maine revoked by the Maine Secretary of State.
Penalties may accrue if you fail to file any Maine LLC to the Maine Secretary of State
by the due date.
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5. Keep proper records of your Maine LLC on file
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Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Maine LLC:
- Names and addresses of all Members and Managers of the Maine LLC
- Articles of Organization for the Maine LLC and any Amendments to them
- Copies of all tax returns and reports for the Maine LLC for the last 3 years
- If the Maine LLC has an Operating Agreement, a copy of the Operating Agreement and any Amendments
- Copies of any LLC Resolutions which have been adopted by the Maine LLC
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What information do I need in order to Form a LLC in Maine? |
In order to Form a LLC in Maine you'll need certain specific information about your new Company
including the LLC name and address; and the name and address of the new Maine LLC's Registered Agent.
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In order to Form a LLC in Maine you'll need the following information about your new Company:
- The name of your new Maine LLC along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
- Physical addess of the LLC office in Maine (not a PO Box)
- Name and address of your Maine Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
- A description of the nature of the business you are planning to operate with your Maine LLC
- When your Maine LLC will start and when it will cease to exist (normally the LLC starts on the date the application is filed and will exist perpetually)
You do not have to name the Members of a
Maine LLC in the Articles of Organization.
While you are not required to name the Members of a new Maine LLC you still may include Member information with your initial
Maine LLC filing.
Remember - ALL the information that you provide when you Form a LLC in Maine becomes part of the public record.
Our data entry forms include the absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a Limited Liability Company in Maine.
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How long does it take to Form a LLC in Maine? |
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Processing times for new Maine LLC applications vary depending on the work load of the
Secretary of State's staff.
We've found that normal processing of new Maine Articles of Organization takes the state around 3-4 business days.
Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.
Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your Maine LLC.
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PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE MAINE SECRETARY OF STATE PROCESSING TIMES.
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We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Maine Secretary of State.
In our experience 3-4 business days is the time it usually takes the Maine Secretary of State to process
a new Maine LLC application.
We get your Maine LLC application to the ME Secretary of State ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Maine LLC application process.
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Are there any Expedited Processing Options for new ME LLC Filings?
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The Maine Secretary of State offers two expedited processing options for new Maine LLC applications. For an additional $50 the Secretary of State will process the new Maine LLC filing within 24 hours. For $100 the Secretary of State will process the new Maine LLC filing immediately.
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How much does it cost to Form a LLC in Maine? |
The state of Maine charges $180.00 to form a new LLC.
This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization from the ME Secretary of State.
If you choose All Business Documemnts to help you form your LLC in Maine, our processing fees are $125.00.
We start processing your new Maine LLC order as soon as we get it.
Total cost includes:
- Name Check and Reservation
- Prepare Articles of Organization
- File Articles of Organization with the Maine Secretary of State
- Certified Copies of Articles
- Maine LLC Checklist
- Priority Mail Delivery
- Unlimited Customer Support
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Maine Foreign LLC Qualification |
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You want to do business in the state of Maine but are registered as a Domestic LLC in another state.
In order to legally conduct business in the state of Maine you must register with the Maine Secretary of State as
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You want to do business in the state of Maine but are registered as a Domestic LLC in another state.
In order to legally conduct business in the state of Maine you must register with the Maine Secretary of State as
a Maine Foreign LLC.
The process of registering as a Foreign LLC in the state of Maine is called Maine LLC Foreign Qualification.
The process of Maine LLC Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic LLC in the state of Maine.
Your original formation documents (usually called Articles of Organization) and Corporate Bylaws apply to your Maine Foreign LLC.
The Members and Managers of your Domestic LLC have the same roles in the Maine Foreign LLC.
Click here for specific requirements for
Maine LLC Foreign Qualification.
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