LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Maine

Forming an LLC in Maine for the first time

The Maine filing fee is $175. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $374.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Maine checklist

  1. File the Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6). $175 to the Maine Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Annual Report, every year, $85. Due: June 1.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $175 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$942 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $634; ZenBusiness $842; Bizee $643; LegalZoom $1,092 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Maine?

Mainstay Filing. First year $374 including the $175 Maine filing fee; $284 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Maine without a service?

Yes: file the Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6) with the Maine Secretary of State for $175. Required registered agent: 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.

Sources