All businesses located in Maine are legally obliged to designate themselves a registered agent while the business is being formed. To help you find the perfect match for your business, we’ve compiled a list of our top eleven recommendations for the best Maine registered agent services.
If you’re only interested in our top three recommendations, check out our summary table below.
Best Maine Registered Agent Services
| Registered Agent Service | Cost | Office Locations |
|---|---|---|
| ZenBusiness | $199 a year | Not stated |
| Northwest | $125 a year | Portland |
| IncFile | $119 a year/ first year free with incorporation | Not stated |
| MyCorporation | $120 the first year/ $179 every following year | Not stated |
| Maine Registered Agent | $49 a year | Portland |
| CSC Global | $381 a year | Augusta |
| Harbor Compliance | $99 a year | Portland |
| LegalZoom | $299 a year | Not stated |
| Registered Agent Net | $89 a year | Not stated |
| InCorp | $129 a year | Augusta |
| Registered Agent LLC | $75 a year | Not stated |
On top of providing you with detailed recommendations, our guide also contains a section where we go over all the steps required to form a business in Maine and a FAQ section where we answer your most pressing questions.
First things first, let’s see what a registered agent is.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent is a person or a company that accepts official government correspondence and legal documents on your business’ behalf and forwards those documents to you in a timely manner.
Does Maine Require a Registered Agent Service?
Yes, in Maine, it’s required by law that every business appoints a registered agent that meets all the requirements, like having a physical address and being available during regular business hours.
Benefits of Hiring a Registered Agent Service
Here are all the benefits you can experience if you hire a registered agent:
- You’ll always meet all the state deadlines.
- Your business hours will be more flexible and you won’t have to be available in the office all day long.
- Your home address will remain concealed – instead, you can use your agent’s address which will give you more privacy.
- You can easily expand your business.
- You’ll have more time and energy to dedicate to your business.
1. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is one of the most popular registered agent services across the United States. Known for being rated as #1 on sites like Forbes and Investopedia, this registered agent service provides:
- Email notifications
- Fast turnaround service
- Access to a personalized dashboard
- Mail forwarding
- Document scans
Another benefit of hiring ZenBusiness as your registered agent is that they provide nationwide services, so if you ever expand your business across multiple states, you won’t need to change registered agents.
We also love their dedication to helping the entrepreneurial community. Their $5K Grant Program helps fund the start-ups of struggling entrepreneurs and helps them grow their business.
Their customer support team is also excellent, which is a very useful feature in a registered agent service.
Their registered agent services will cost you $199 a year.
Apart from offering registered agent services, ZenBusiness also offer:
- Annual reports
- Business license reports
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Banking and finances
- EIN Number
- Worry-free compliance
- Domain name and website
- Operating agreement
2. Northwest
Another excellent option for a Maine registered agent is Northwest. Being an incredibly popular and well-respected registered agent service, they’ve helped thousands of clients stay compliant throughout the years. The tools you can access include:
- Online document storage
- Compliance alerts
- Mail forwarding
- Document scans
- Annual report reminders
- Pre-filled state forms
On top of that, you’ll have access to Corporate Guides – their outstanding team of experts who are always ready to guide you through any problem that might arise.
And with the help of their Privacy by Default practice, you’ll never have to worry about any of your data or documents being leaked.
You can purchase their registered agent package for only $125 a year. If you hire Northwest for more than four states, you will get a discount and their registered agent services will cost you only $100 a year.
Their Maine office location can be found in Portland, Cumberland County.
Apart from registered agent services, you can also hire Northwest for:
- Mail forwarding
- Annual report filings
- Trademarking
- Virtual office
- Phone service
- Foreign qualification
- Payment processing
3. IncFile
Combining affordability and professionalism, IncFile is a wonderful choice for a Maine registered agent for various reasons. For starters, their registered agent package grants you access to:
- Personalized email and text notifications
- Automatic mail forwarding
- Access to an online digital dashboard
In addition, customers love how user-friendly their interface is and how swift they are in sending all your important correspondence so you never miss a deadline.
One of the best aspects of IncFile is their offer of a free registered agent service for a year with their formation package. Otherwise, their registered agent services will cost you $119 a year.
IncFile also offer other services, such as:
- EIN Number
- Business licenses and permits
- Virtual address
- Tax consultations
- Certificate of good standing
- Amendment
- Foreign qualifications
4. MyCorporation
Looking for a reliable nationwide registered agent service? MyCorporation might be the answer. Their benefits include:
- Completed filings
- Fast document delivery
- Expert handling of any paperwork
The fast processing speed is another aspects customers love about MyCorporation.
Their registered agent services cost $120 for the first year, and $179 every following year.
On top of providing registered agent services, you can also hire MyCorporation for:
- Dissolution
- Amendment
- Annual reports
- Filings
- Copyright registration services
5. Maine Registered Agent
We recommend Maine Registered Agent to those who would like to purchase an extremely affordable registered agent service. For only $49 a year, you will unlock perks such as:
- Annual report reminders
- Access to pre-filled state forms
- Online document storage
- Email notifications
While their pricing is quite affordable, it’s also transparent, so you’ll never have to worry about any hidden fees, auto renewals, or related unplanned costs.
Their Maine address is located in Portland.
In addition to offering registered agent services, Maine Registered Agent also offer:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Filing services
6. CSC Global
If your business is on the bigger side and you have some money to spare on a registered agent, then CSC Global is a great option for you. Their registered agent services are slightly more expensive ($381 a year), but, in return, you will receive:
- Electronic delivery of all your documents
- Annual report reminders
- Same-day document scans
- Access to a customized online dashboard
On top of that, you’ll never have to worry about your data being compromised or your personal information being leaked, thanks to their innovative SOC-2 technology.
You can find CSC Global’s Maine address in Augusta.
Their other services include:
- Entity management
- Corporate filings
- Legal management
- UCC
- Digital brand services
- Real estate
- Erecording
7. Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance is another incredibly popular option for a registered agent service across the United States. Over the years, they’ve helped over 35,000 business owners stay compliant with their business. With their registered agent package, you can get access to the following tools:
- Same-day electronic delivery of your documents
- Annual report reminders
- Pre-filled state forms
Moreover, customers love their fast processing speed and user-friendly website.
A year of registered agent services with Harbor Compliance will cost you $99. If you purchase their multi-year service, you can get up to 10% discount on their registered agent service.
Their Maine office location is in Portland.
Other services offered by Harbor Compliance include:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Registration
- Amendment
- Business licenses
8. LegalZoom
If you’re looking for a brand that offers a comprehensive registered agent service, as well as a myriad of other services in the legal field, we recommend LegalZoom. Their registered agent services come with:
- Mail alerts
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Annual report reminders
In addition, each customer receives $1M worth of identity theft insurance, so you’ll never have to worry about the safety of your business being compromised.
Another aspect of LegalZoom we love is their offer to change your current registered agent (if you have one), free of charge.
With that said, their yearly fee is slightly on the expensive side and it will cost you $299.
Other services they offer include:
- Taxation
- Power of attorney
- Copyright
- Trademarking
- EIN Number
- Business formation
- Incorporation
- Foreign qualification
- Business registration
- Annual reports
- Residential lease
9. Registered Agent Net
Another excellent affordable option for a Maine registered agent is Registered Agent Net. They’re perfect for businesses who are looking to spend less than $100 annually for a registered agent. Your business will access the following benefits:
- Same-day document delivery
- Access to their Compliance Calendar
- Access to their Entity Manager
You’ll only be charged $89 a year for their registered agent services. In addition, you will get a three-year price guarantee.
With the help of their Compliance Entity Manager, you can keep track of all your due dates and get reminders regarding your annual filings. When a due date approaches, you be notified through an email notification.
10. InCorp
InCorp is another amazing registered agent service that will set you back only $87 if you use their multi-year service. Otherwise, their annual registered agent services cost $129. In return, you will receive the following perks:
- Mail forwarding
- Annual report filings
- Legal notifications
- Access to their Entity Management System
InCorp also offer access to their EntityWatch technology that helps prevent identity theft and offers information regarding the status of your filings, directors, and officers.
Their Maine registered address is in Augusta.
Other services InCorp provides include:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Copyright
- Trademarking
- Foreign qualification
- DBA filing
- Articles of amendment
- Apostille service
- EIN Number
11. Registered Agent LLC
Registered Agent LLC combines affordability and outstanding service. This A+ rated registered agent service includes benefits such as:
- Access to an online account
- Pre-filled state forms
- Immediate notifications
- Annual reports
- Compliance reminders
Another benefit from hiring Registered Agent LLC is their nationwide presence, so you can seamlessly expand your business without switching registered agents.
Their yearly fee is only $75 and they offer a price guarantee. Plus, there are zero hidden contracts or fees despite the low price.
How Do I Register a Business in Maine?
In this section, we’ll cover all the necessary steps to registering a business in Maine.
Find a Name for Your Maine Business
One of the most important steps of registering a business is finding the right name for it.
Once you have brainstormed a couple of ideas, you need to ensure that the names you’ve picked are unique in the state. For that purpose, we recommend conducting an online business name search on the Maine Secretary of State’s website.
In addition, there are a few words you’ll need to include in the name, depending on what kind of business structure you opt for. For instance, LLCs require you to have an abbreviation of Limited Liability Company, such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.” in the name.
Likewise, there are some words that mustn’t be included. These words usually pertain to public institutions, such as “FBI” or “Bank” or “Credit Union”.
If you wish, you can reserve your name for 120 days to ensure that nobody else grabs hold of it. The application for a name reservation is online with the Maine Secretary of State and the filing fee is $20.
Decide on a Business Structure
Another incredibly important step during the initial formation of your business is deciding the right business structure for your business. The most popular business structures in Maine are:
Each business structure comes with a unique set of perks and drawbacks. For instance, LLCs and corporations give limited liability to their owners and protect their personal assets, but sole proprietorships and partnerships are much easier to form.
File a Certificate of Formation
Registering your LLC in Maine requires you to file a certificate of formation with the state. If you decide to form an LLC, you’ll need to complete an online application and pay the filing fee of $175.
A certificate of formation is a document that’s filed with the state that details important information such as the name of your business, the name and contact information of its members, the location of the business, and information about the registered agent.
File Articles of Incorporation
Articles of incorporation have a similar purpose to articles of formation, but they apply to corporations only. If you’d prefer to open a corporation in Maine, then you’ll need to file articles of incorporation with the state.
The filing fee for articles of incorporation is slightly cheaper than articles of formation and it will cost you $145.
Get the Necessary Business Licenses
To operate your Maine business legally, you’ll need to get all the necessary licenses and permits before your business is officially open.
It’s important to note that general licenses are managed on a city level in Maine, so you’ll need to search your town office to get more information on the kind of license you’ll need.
Just like conducting a business name search, you have the option of doing an online license search to double-check that you have obtained all the necessary licenses and permits.
If you’re planning on selling any goods, the sales taxes in Maine range from 5.5% to 10%. The registration for a Sales & Use Tax is done online.
Apply for an EIN
One of the last steps you need to complete is applying for an EIN for your business with the IRS. An Employee Identification Number is necessary if you’re planning on hiring employees for your business, if you’re taxing your business separately from you, or for opening a bank account. The application is entirely free.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Business in Maine?
The cost of registering an LLC in Mine is $175, while corporations will cost you $145.
Where Can I Do a Maine Business Search?
You can do a Maine business search on the Maine Secretary of State website.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Maine?
Yes, the state of Maine allows business owners to designate themselves as their own registered agent.
Final Thoughts
We hope you found our article on the best Maine registered agent services useful in your pursuit of finding the right Maine registered agent.
Our top three recommendations are ZenBusiness, Northwest, and IncFile, all of which come with many appealing benefits, like online document storage, mail forwarding, and mail notifications. If you don’t have the budget to spend more than $100 annually on a registered agent, check out Maine Registered Agent – a registered agent service that will cost you only $49.