Maine Certificate of Formation

How to file your Maine Certificate of Formation

Step 1: Submit Your LLC’s Official Name

You have to follow only two rules when naming your new Maine LLC. First, the name you choose must be unique and not used by any other company doing business in the state. Second, your proposed name must contain the words “limited liability company” or “limited company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “L.C.,” or “LC,” or in the case of a low-profit limited liability company, “L3C” or “l3c”. You can first check with the state through their corporate name search to see if your proposed name is available. If your name is available, all you have to do is put the name on the LLC Certificate of Formation. If you’re not quite ready to start your company but have the perfect name for your business and want to make sure it’s saved, you can reserve the name and then file the state of Main Certificate of Formation when you’re ready.

Step 2: Add A Copy of the Name Reservation Certificate

If you reserved your name in advance, you would file the Name Reservation Certificate when you file the Certificate of Formation online. Although, you are not required to reserve your name in advance. 

Step 3: Provide the Name and Address of Your Registered Agent

The next step is to provide the name and address of your registered agent. Every business registration in Maine has to have an official registered agent on record. The purpose of having a registered agent on file is for when legal documents need to be served on the LLC, the documents are officially considered served when given to the registered agent. The agent can be a company that does this service as its business, or it can be an individual (non-commercial) who is a member of the LLC. We offer a registered agent service where you can easily sign us up as your agent, and we’ll make sure that you get every document sent to us on behalf of your LLC.

Step 4: Select the Type of LLC You’re Forming

There are different types of LLCs that you can choose to be. The state of Maine Secretary of State Certificate of Formation form allows you to be a regular LLC (you don’t have to choose anything) or a low-profit LLC or a professional LLC. You select a low-profit LLC if your company is a charity. A professional LLC designation is used for accountants, attorneys, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, and other professions listed under Maine statutes. 

Step 5: Choose a Filing Date

You can choose the specific date sometime in the future that you want your state of Maine Certificate of Formation to be effective. Or you can have the LLC be up and running and legal on the date of the filing. 

Step 6: Provide the Name and Signature of at Least One Authorized Person

Even if your LLC has more than one member, only one authorized person is required to sign the Certificate of Formation. A second authorized person may also sign.

Step 7: Attach Any Needed Statements

You are allowed to attach statements or exhibits that provide details on “other matters” that you may choose to submit with your filing. 

Where to file your Maine Certificate of Formation

Your completed certificate of formation must be filed with the Maine Secretary of State’s office. This is accomplished only via mail, along with paying a filing fee. There is no online filing service that the state accepts.

What are the next steps?

Before starting your company and filing the paperwork, you also need to obtain an Employment Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This is easy to do at the IRS website. We also offer this service. An EIN is necessary for when you file your taxes, open up a business checking account, and seek business loans.

Another document that you should create is an LLC Operating Agreement. Although it’s not required by the state, it’s still a good idea. An operating agreement sets forth the internal rules and procedures of the business. An operating agreement ensures that all of the owners of the LLC are on the same page as to the purpose of the business, everyone’s responsibilities, and how the company is to be run.

We can help

Our goal is to make sure you can start your Maine LLC as easily and quickly as possible, and that it’s done correctly. We want you to spend more time making money with your business and less time on research and paperwork. But our help also goes beyond the initial formation of your company. With our Worry-Free Compliance service, we help with maintaining your compliance with the state and any required annual filing.