Maine Registered Agent
What is a Maine registered agent?
A Maine registered agent is a person or business with a physical street address in Maine who accepts legal documents on behalf of your business.
What is a Registered Agent in Maine?
A Maine registered agent is a person or entity that receives legal mail for your business. Their most important role is to accept service of process (lawsuits and other legal mail). When you form your business in Maine, you’ll need to list the name and address of your registered agent.
Do I need a registered agent in Maine?
Yes! All Maine businesses are required by state law (Chapter 6-A: Model Registered Agents Act, §114) to appoint a registered agent.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Maine?
Any person over the age of 18 or legal business entity can be a registered agent in Maine as long as they aren’t the business itself.
In other words, a Maine business needs someone else to be its registered agent, but anyone (including you, an employee, a trustworthy friend, a professional registered agent business) can be your business’s registered agent.
Here are the main qualifications for registered agents:
- Have a physical street address in Maine.
- Be present at the address during normal business hours.
- Accept your mail and forward mail to you fast.
Can I be my own registered agent in Maine?
You can be your own Maine registered agent. However, that means signing up to be at your registered office—the physical address associated with your business—for all normal business hours.
Acting as your own registered agent also means putting your private information on Maine’s public record. Although it may be easier, taking away a layer of your personal privacy is never ideal. If you want to avoid this, hire a professional registered agent service that will let you list their their name and address instead.
How Do I Change My Registered Agent in Maine?
If you would like to change your registered agent, you can do that—you just need to complete the following three steps:
- Select your new Maine registered agent. This can be either a commercial or noncommercial registered agent.
- Let your current registered agent know that you will be using a different agent.
- File a Maine Statement of Appointment or Change with the Maine Secretary of State. This form requires the name and address of your former and new registered agents (or the CRA Public number, if it is a commercial registered agent).
The updated form goes on the public record and does not replace the previous form, meaning that any information disclosed on the filings will be available to the public through the Maine Secretary of State website.
How much does it cost to change my Maine registered agent?
It costs $35 to file your Maine Statement of Appointment or Change. There is also an option to pay $50 for 24-hour expedited filing or $100 for immediate (same business day) filing.
You can file your Statement of Appointment or Change by bringing in-person or mailing it to:
Maine Secretary of State
Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
How to appoint a Maine registered agent?
To appoint a Maine registered agent, you just need their information for the Certificate of Formation. For noncommercial registered agents, you’ll need the agent’s name, address, and signature. Commercial registered agents are already registered with the state, so you’ll only need the name of the company and their address, they’ll do the rest.
However, perhaps the most important step is to confirm that your registered agent is committed to their role and understands what they need to do. You don’t want a registered agent who won’t be available during regular business hours (9 am to 5 pm) in case they miss an important mailing.
Reasons to Hire Registered Agents Inc
When you hire Registered Agents Inc as your Maine registered agent, we go above and beyond as your registered agent. Here’s what makes us the best choice for you:
We notify you of document delivery.
When a document arrives, you’ll know about it. We’ll send you a notification in your online account when we receive mail for you.
We scan your documents.
Don’t worry about clutter or losing your paperwork when you hire us. Once we scan your mail we add it to your secure online account right away.
We provide business forms for Maine.
When you hire us to be your registered agent, you’ll have access to our library of Maine forms within your online account, as well as forms for any other state your business operates in.
We give you professional support.
Our customer support team knows everything there is to know about Maine business filings. If you need assistance with state paperwork or have questions about your account, they’re here to help.
We keep your information private.
We list our address wherever allowed on state filings. Privacy is essential, and we take every available opportunity to keep your personal details safe.
We do annual report filing.
Maine businesses are required to file an annual report. Hire us and we’ll submit your annual report for you—all you pay is the state fee when it comes time to file.
We also provide wholesale registered agent service for your clients. Reach out to find the best fit for your business services today.
How Do I Find a Registered Agent in Maine?
Maine recognizes two types of registered agents: commercial registered agents and noncommercial registered agents. You have the option to file with either one.
- Noncommercial registered agent: Any individual who can satisfy the requirements for a Maine registered agent.
- Commercial registered agent (CRA): A service from a professional registered agent company registered with the state of Maine. A company can become a CRA by registering through Maine’s InforMe portal.
What does it mean to choose a registered agent?
Choosing a registered agent means choosing a person or entity to help your business fulfill a legal requirement. The way you pick your registered agent affects what information about you and your business is revealed to the public record.
However, the actual job they do for your business is important as well. Picking your registered agent also means picking a sense of security for your business—if a service of process is delivered, you want someone who will be there to receive it and pass it on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a clerk and a registered agent?
Maine law uses the term clerk and registered agent interchangeably. A clerk is someone who can serve as a business’s registered agent, although they often have many other responsibilities including taking session notes and keeping records.
A clerk can perform the role of a registered agent, but a registered agent does not need to be a clerk.
How much does a Maine registered agent cost?
If you hire a Maine registered agent service, you’ll typically pay $50 to $300 a year. Our premier registered agent service costs $200 and includes annual report filing.
Do I need to live in Maine to register my business?
No. All you need to form a Maine business is a Maine registered agent that will file your formation paperwork for you.
How do I register as a foreign entity in Maine?
To register as a foreign entity in Maine, you’ll need to submit an application to Maine’s Secretary of State along with a certificate of existence from your entity’s home state. Each business structure has a different form, which can be found on Maine’s foreign entity page. It costs $250 to file the application. The fee for nonprofits to file is only $45.
What do I need to start an LLC in Maine?
To start an LLC in Maine, you’ll need to file a Maine Certificate of Formation. Filing costs $175 and is submitted by mail.
