Maine business entity search and name check

What the Maine search covers

One search covers business corporations, LLCs, LLPs, limited partnerships, nonprofits, out-of-state entities doing business in Maine, reserved and registered names, assumed and fictitious names, state trademarks, financial institutions, insurance and railroad corporations, and appointments of agents for service of process.

You search by a keyword from the name, or by charter number, and can narrow results to one category of record.

Each record has a Charter Number. Search by number on the Corporate Name Search (ICRS, operated by InforME).

How to read Maine results

Maine does not publish definitions for its status labels in one place. We show the official wording exactly as the registry gives it.

A status describes the registry filing only. It isn’t evidence of a license, tax compliance or reputation, and a record with the same name as a company you know may be a different business. More on statuses.

Maine business name rules

An LLC name must include one of: limited liability company, limited company, L.L.C., LLC, L.C., LC, L3C (low-profit LLC).

The name must be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records from every entity formed or authorized in Maine, from all assumed, fictitious, reserved and registered names, and from registered trademarks, unless you own the mark. (31 M.R.S. §1508(2); 13-C M.R.S. §401(2)) Source: legislature.maine.gov

Maine doesn’t publish a list of the differences it ignores, so our check treats only capitalization and punctuation as insignificant and flags other close names as similar for you to judge.

Using a similar name with consent

Yes. File an Application for the Use of an Indistinguishable Name (form MLLC-15, $20). It is approved if the business holding the name consents in writing and agrees to change its own name to something distinguishable, or if you file a court judgment establishing your right to the name. An LLC can also use another LLC's name after a merger, a reorganization, or buying substantially all of its assets, including the name (31 M.R.S. §1508(4)-(5)).

Reserving a name in Maine

Maine lets you reserve a name before you form the business for $20, held for 120 days. It can't be renewed, but once it expires the same name can be reserved again by you or anyone else.

File an Application for Reservation of Name: form MLLC-1 for an LLC or MBCA-1 for a corporation.

Maine name reservation Source: legislature.maine.gov

Searching on this site doesn’t reserve anything. Only Maine Division of Corporations can.

Forming an LLC in Maine

Document

Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6)

State filing fee

$175
The $175 fee is set by state law (31 M.R.S. §1680(13)).

File online

Maine Division of Corporations filing

Registered agent

Maine LLCs appoint a registered agent, either a commercial registered agent (one listed with the Secretary of State on form CLKRA-3) or a noncommercial agent.

Out-of-state LLC registering here

$250 (Statement of Foreign Qualification (MLLC-12))

Fees change. Confirm them on the official Maine fee schedule before you file.

Keeping a Maine LLC in good standing

Annual Report (MLLC-13): $85. Due between January 1 and June 1 each year, starting the year after the LLC is formed. Late fee: $50. Source: maine.gov

Out-of-state LLCs pay $150 for their annual report. Corporations pay $85 (Maine) or $150 (out-of-state). A late report costs a $50 penalty on top of the fee (31 M.R.S. §1680(10)).

Proof of status: Certificate of Existence (or Authority for foreign) ($30). Source: legislature.maine.gov

Assumed names (DBAs)

A business entity files a Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name with the Secretary of State ($125). An out-of-state entity whose legal name isn't available in Maine files a Fictitious Name instead ($40). Source: maine.gov

Good to know about Maine

• Maine's Business Corporation Act doesn't require an ending such as 'Inc.' in a corporation's name. It only requires the name to be distinguishable and not suggest an unlawful purpose. Source: legislature.maine.gov
• A new business name has to be distinguishable from registered trademarks and from assumed, fictitious and reserved names, not only from other companies. Source: legislature.maine.gov
• A name reservation lasts 120 days and can't be renewed, though the name can be reserved again once the reservation lapses. Source: legislature.maine.gov
• LLC annual reports are due by June 1 and a late one costs $50 extra. Maine LLCs pay $85; out-of-state LLCs pay $150. Source: legislature.maine.gov
• Filing an assumed name for a business entity costs $125, which is high compared with many states. Source: maine.gov
• In an LLC name, 'Ltd.' may be used for 'limited' and 'Co.' for 'company'. Source: legislature.maine.gov

Sources and accuracy

We checked this page against official Maine sources on October 30, 2026. Our monitor rechecks the official search, filing portal and fee pages daily and flags changes for review.

See something wrong? Tell us. We can fix how we present information, but only Maine Division of Corporations can change an official record.