Maine Foreign Qualification

IncNow can help you get a Maine Foreign Qualification done correctly without the hassle. We handle the entire filing process, from verifying your company name to submitting your Statement of Foreign Qualification to Conduct Business Activities to the Maine Secretary of State.

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How to Foreign Qualify in Maine

Registering your business in Maine involves a few key steps. IncNow’s Incorporation Specialists can help you through the process and ensure your Foreign Qualification is done properly. Here’s a look at the process:

Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing, sometimes called a Certificate of Existence, is an official document from your business’s home state that proves your company is legally formed and compliant. 

Note: To be accepted by the state, the Certificate of Good Standing must be dated within 90 days of the date on which you submit your Foreign Qualification.

Check Name Availability

Before you can register, your company’s legal name must be unique and available for use in Maine. If another registered business is already using your name, you will need to operate under an “Assumed Name” (also known as a DBA).

IncNow’s team will conduct a name availability search with the Maine Secretary of State. If your company’s name is taken, we will immediately notify you and assist with registering an Assumed Name.

Get a Maine Registered Agent

Maine law requires you to appoint a Registered Agent with a physical street address in the state to receive official legal and tax documents.

If you live in Maine, you can serve as your own Registered Agent. You can also hire a commercial registered agent to represent you.

File a Statement of Foreign Qualification to Conduct Business Activities in Maine

This is the official form that registers your out-of-state business in Maine. It must be filed with the Secretary of State and requires precise details about your company, the nature of the business, and your appointed Registered Agent.

Note: The Statement of Foreign Qualification to Conduct Business Activities is the name of the document required to register a Foreign LLC in Maine. Foreign Corporations need to complete and submit the Application for Authority to Do Business.

The form requires the following details:

  • Your company’s exact legal name.
  • The state where the company was originally formed. 
  • The date when the company was formed. 
  • The company’s principal office address.
  • The name and address of the company’s Registered Agent in Maine.
  • The names and addresses of the company’s Members and Managers if an LLC, or Officers and Directors if a corporation.
  • A description of the type of business the company will be doing in Maine.
  • A signature from an Authorized Person.

You need to pay a filing fee in order to submit the Maine Statement of Foreign Qualification to Conduct Business Activities. The filing fee in Maine is $250 for foreign LLCs and corporations. State filing fees are included in the price of IncNow’s Foreign Qualification Service.

How IncNow Can Help

IncNow’s team prepares and files your company’s Statement of Foreign Qualification to Conduct Business Activities in Maine. We ensure all of your information is accurate to prevent rejections.

Maintain Your Good Standing in Maine

Once your Maine Foreign Qualification is complete, your company is responsible for fulfilling all ongoing compliance requirements set by the state. The Maine Secretary of State will send official notices regarding these requirements to your Registered Agent in Maine.

Please Note: IncNow’s service covers the successful initial filing of your foreign qualification. Ongoing compliance management is not included for Maine.

Order A Maine Foreign Qualification: $329 + State Fees
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Maine Foreign Qualification?

If your LLC or corporation was formed in another state, like Delaware, but you are going to be doing business in Maine, you will need to properly register your business there first. This process is called Foreign Qualification and it involves obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing, appointing a Registered Agent and filing a Statement of Foreign Qualification to Conduct Business Activities.

What does it mean to be "doing business" in Maine?

The definition of “doing business” is generally pretty broad. It can also be different in each state. But in general, you will likely need to register your company in Maine if you do any of the following:

  • Have a physical location like an office, store, or warehouse in the state.
  • Have employees who work in Maine.
  • Regularly sell products or provide services to customers in Maine.

If you’re not sure whether your company is considered to be doing business in Maine, the safest bet is to file a Foreign Qualification. States often charge large penalties and fines if businesses do not properly register themselves.

What is an "Assumed Name" and when would I need one in Maine?

An Assumed Name is like a nickname for your business. It’s a name you use in Maine that’s different from your company’s official legal name. This is also commonly known as a “DBA” (short for “Doing Business As”).

The main reason you would need an Assumed Name is if your company’s official name is already taken by another business registered in Maine.

Because no two businesses can have the same name, Maine would require you to choose a different, “assumed” name to use while operating in the state. Our filing process includes a name search to check if your name is available, and we can help you understand the next steps if it’s already in use.