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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 2 · Maine

Maine Registered Agent Chapter (2026): 6 Sections and the 3 Best Agents

Maine readers who want help appointing a registered agent in 2026 should look at ME Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and Maine Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), in the order given. 6 sections: the legal rule, eligibility, the address requirement and the filing that names the agent.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Essential facts

Legal requirement Yes Source text at legislature.maine.gov, October 2026
Service prices $99 to $149 a year Published prices
Annual report $85 a year Source text at maine.gov, August 2026
Sections 6 In sequence

You will be able to explain

  • Why Maine requires an agent on file
  • Who can act as agent
  • Recording the agent
  • Who to consider as agent

Who we recommend in Maine

Ranked by the grading page: three-year cost (34%), paperwork completed (30%), second-year price, fit with Maine rules and clarity of the price list.

1. ME Registered Agent.org: best for single-state companies

Top recommendation
$99 a year, $99 at renewal

ME Registered Agent.org is ranked first in Maine: $99 a year with no change at renewal, for an LLC that stays within the state.

Mainstay Filing costs more across three years, so this service takes first place.

Price covers

  • An office address within the state
  • Online copies of legal papers

Advantages

  • $99 a year, unchanged at renewal
  • Less per year than Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • Serves Maine alone
  • The annual report gets no assistance
Visit ME Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who plan to grow

Upkeep included
$149 a year, $149 at renewal

Mainstay Filing takes second position; a single yearly charge of $149 follows the company if it registers in a second state.

ME Registered Agent.org is $150 lower across three years, which keeps this service out of first place.

Price covers

  • A registered office in Maine
  • Any papers served on the company get scanned for you at no cost
  • Three government mailings a year are scanned at no cost to you
  • Also serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

Advantages

  • $149 each year with no increase
  • The same provider anywhere

Limitations

  • $50 more annually than the local choice
  • Agent service and nothing else
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. Maine Registered Agent.co: best for another local choice

Focused on Maine
$99 a year, $99 at renewal

Maine Registered Agent.co takes third position; $99 a year with no change at renewal, for an LLC that stays within the state.

It charges exactly what ME Registered Agent.org charges.

Price covers

  • An office address within the state
  • Online copies of legal papers

Advantages

  • $99 a year, unchanged at renewal
  • Less per year than Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • Serves Maine alone
  • The annual report gets no assistance
Visit Maine Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The services compared

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1 ME Registered Agent.org $99$99/yr$297 Visit ME Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $149$149/yr$447 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 Maine Registered Agent.co $99$99/yr$297 Visit Maine Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices come from each company's own site, consulted November 13, 2026. Changing agents does not alter what the state charges.

The Maine agent, in sequence

  1. Section 1

    Understand the requirement

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

    Reference: Source text at legislature.maine.gov, October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Who may take the role

    A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual or entity serving as agent in Maine, or the holder of a named position in the company. The rule appears in 5 M.R.S. § 105.

  3. Section 3

    The address rule

    A noncommercial agent lists a physical street address in Maine, not a P.O. box. Commercial agents keep their address on file with the state.

    A hired service lists its own Maine street address in place of yours.

  4. Section 4

    Self-service compared with a professional agent

    A qualified owner can be the agent. Those who prefer not to can pay $99 to $149 a year to a recommended agent.

  5. Section 5

    Make the agent a matter of public record

    the Maine Secretary of State receives the filing that identifies the agent, and also any later change.

    Reference: Source text at legislature.maine.gov, October 2026

  6. Section 6

    Keep the agent record accurate

    File the annual report on time ($85, June 1) so the agent record remains correct.

    Reference: Source text at maine.gov, August 2026

Agent and state costs

ItemPayeeAmount
Agent service The provider$99 to $149 a year
Agent renewal The provider$99 to $149 a year
Annual report State agency$85 every year

State fees come from the official pages in the bibliography. Over three years they consist of the filing, two reports and, in a few states, a minimum tax.

How the Maine recommendations were ranked

On tuition over three years (34% of the ranking) came first, with next.

Years one through three at ME Registered Agent.org come out at $297, which leaves $150 in the owner's pocket compared with Mainstay Filing.

Short answers

Does Maine law call for a registered agent?

Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Often. Apply the two tests in sections 2 and 3.

Can I change my registered agent later?

Yes. A replacement requires a change filing at the Maine Secretary of State (section 5).

What does a registered agent cost in Maine?

This chapter's agents bill $99 to $149 each year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

Chiefly the annual report, $85 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

ME Registered Agent.org ranks first and Mainstay Filing and Maine Registered Agent.co follow; ME Registered Agent.org leads on tuition over three years.

Next chapter

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Bibliography entry for the Maine Secretary of State chapter: maine.gov, consulted August 2026.
  2. Bibliography entry for the Maine Secretary of State chapter: maine.gov, consulted August 2026.
  3. Bibliography entry for the Maine report due date chapter: maine.gov, consulted August 2026.
  4. Bibliography entry for the 31 M.R.S. sec. 1531 chapter: legislature.maine.gov, consulted August 2026.
  5. Bibliography entry for the Maine formation fee: Filing fee, official source chapter: legislature.maine.gov, consulted October 2026.
  6. Bibliography entry for the Maine registered agent statute chapter: legislature.maine.gov, consulted October 2026.
  7. Price reference: ME Registered Agent.org, pricing page, November 13, 2026
  8. Price reference: Mainstay Filing, Maine service page, November 13, 2026
  9. Price reference: Maine Registered Agent.co, pricing page, November 13, 2026