How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in Maine (The Guide)

Establishing a limited liability company in Maine may be an excellent business strategy to protect your assets while taking advantage of the state's friendly tax systems.

If you plan to launch a Maine LLC, you should understand how long the Maine Secretary of State takes to receive, verify, and process your LLC registration documents.

Working with our qualified business consultants who've been in the LLC industry for almost a decade, we spent four weeks researching the available Maine LLC filing options and processing times.

Today, we’ll share all details regarding LLC processing times in Maine.

Quick Summary

How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in Maine? 

It takes 30-35 working days to form an LLC in Maine by mail or in person.

This is the standard time the SOS takes to review and approve your certificate of formation.

Alternatively, you can file your LLC online or pay additional fees for expedited processing.

Maine LLC Processing Time

Maine limited liability company processing time is how long the SOS takes to approve your application after receipt.

The SOS offers three filing methods with different processing times: Online, mail, in-person and expedited processing for faster approvals.

Let’s look at each filing method and its processing time.

1. Online Filings 

Online LLC registration is made on the Maine SOS website portal.

If you register your new foreign or domestic LLC online, expect to shell out the $178 state fees to cover your certificate of formation ($175 + $3 convenience fee).

Online LLC filings in Maine are recorded on the same day if you file before 5:00 p.m. ET.

Any registration documents presented past this time will be recorded the following business day.

Once you verify and submit all your LLC’s information, the MLLC6 PDF document is sent electronically to the Secretary of State's office for endmost processing and approval [1].

You can make payments for your online filings using Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express.

Learn more about the cost to start an LLC in Maine.

2. Mail Filings

The Maine Secretary of State accepts postal submissions of articles of incorporation.

Once you've downloaded the paperwork, you may fill it out, print it, and mail it to the SOS address.

To minimize inconvenience, make sure to fill out all of the fields on your registration paperwork.

Before mailing these documents, verify the data, such as the LLC name, filing date, registered agent contact information, and official signature.

During the LLC registration procedure, you must also pay a processing fee of $175 and attach your Certificate of Formation to the SOS department along with a Customer Contact Cover Letter with the following details:

• Your Name
• Phone number
• Mailing address

Please remember that the Maine Secretary of State's usual processing time is 30 to 35 business days for mail submissions [2].

But, there is a fee for expediting and processing your filing within the same day.

After you file the necessary formation documents to the SOS and they approve everything, your Maine LLC will be legally formed and can legally transact in this state.

3. In-person Filings

In-person filing is an excellent method for delivering your articles of formation to the SOS office.

After filling out your information on the certificate of organization and downloading it, you must print it and take it to the Secretary of State's office with the filing fee.

Hand-delivered LLC paperwork is treated the same as mailed ones by the Maine SOS.

As a result, expect a 30-35 working days delivery time. However, paying an additional fee for same-day rush filing would reduce the period of time necessary to start your LLC.

4. Expedited Filings

If you want your new LLC incorporated faster in Maine, paying for expedited processing is an excellent idea.

The Maine Bureau of Corporations offers the following expedited processing options for your certificate of formation:

• $50 for 24 hours turnaround
• $100 for same-day processing

Steps To Start an LLC in Maine

Follow these steps to start a new limited liability company in Maine.

• Step 1: Conduct a Maine LLC name search and pick an LLC name you can reserve for 120 days.
• Step 2: Hire a Maine registered agent service authorized to handle legal notices in the state.
• Step 3: File the certificate of formation with the SOS, including your LLC details like business name and principal address.
• Step 4: Draft an LLC operating agreement that guides how your LLC will be run, plus the responsibilities of the members and managers.
• Step 5: Apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to open a business bank account, file taxes, and hire staff.
• Step 6: Per business law, obtain the state and municipal authorities' proper business license and permit.
• Step 7: File a Maine annual report by June 1 every year for $85.

FAQs

Should You Hire an LLC Service in Maine?

Most business owners in the state of Maine believe that establishing a Maine limited liability corporation is the quickest and easiest way to launch a firm.

An LLC may operate in Maine with fewer limitations while offering the same advantages and security as more giant corporations.

If you're thinking of establishing a Maine LLC, check out our list of the best Maine LLC formation services for an easier and smoother filing process.

While working with a professional service will not reduce the processing times, it may help guarantee that your LLC is filed legally and according to the SOS regulations.

These reliable services offer the best customer service, comprehensive features, and affordable registered agent services to keep your company compliant.