A Maine certificate of good standing confirms that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was founded lawfully and is being properly maintained.
In our Certificate of Good Standing Maine guide, we will go over the qualifications for good standing as well as how to get one in Maine.
How Do I Obtain a Maine Certificate of Good Standing?
Request your certificate of good standing, also known as a certificate of existence in Maine, from the Secretary of State.
There are two major processes involved in obtaining your certificate of good standing:
1. Maintain your LLC’s compliance
2. Request a certificate of good standing.
What exactly is a good standing certificate? A certificate of good standing is a state document that confirms your company was created lawfully and has been properly maintained.
Step 1: Ensure that your Maine business is in compliance.
To be eligible for a Maine certificate of existence, your company must meet the following state compliance requirements:
Permits and Licenses
To run a company in Maine, you must adhere to federal, state, and municipal licensing requirements. Regulations such as health permits and construction permits are examples of this.
The State of Maine website has further information on state licensing requirements.
State levies
Depending on your company activity, you may be required to register for several types of Maine state tax. Sales tax, withholding tax, and Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax are all examples of this.
Report Annual
Every Maine LLC and company is required to submit an annual report. This report confirms the company’s fundamental facts, such as its primary office location and registered agent.
Each year, by June 1, the annual report must be submitted online or by submitting a preprinted form to the Secretary of State. The filing cost is $85 dollars.
Step 2: Obtain a Maine Certificate of Good Standing.
If your company stays in good standing with the state, you may apply to the Secretary of State for a Maine certificate of existence. This is something that can be done online.
Is a Certificate of Good Standing Required in Maine?
While you don’t always need a certificate of existence to operate a company in Maine, there are a few situations when you may. These are some examples:
Purchasing commercial insurance
Applying for commercial loans
Establishing a business checking account
Getting a business license in another state