The explanation · Maine
3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Maine (2026), Compared
In brief
- What the state charges
- $250
- Proof of existence?
- Yes (90 days old, no more)
- After you register
- $150, Annual report for a foreign LLC
- Our recommendations
- Mainstay Filing, ME Registered Agent.org then Maine Registered Agent.co
Our Maine recommendations
Ranked using five checks described on our method page.1. Mainstay Filing: best for growing companies
Service fee $199 and $250 to the state; agent renewal $149
Mainstay Filing comes out on top: its $199 fee is the same in every state, and the first year of registered agent service is included.
Yes, ME Registered Agent.org comes in $100 lower across three years. We still lead with the one that covers all states.
The registered agent costs $149 annually from year two onward, in every state.
Includes
- Application prepared and filed
- Registered agent, free during year one
- Works in all fifty states
Points in its favor
- $199 to register
- No agent fee in the first year
- One fee wherever you register
Where it falls short
- A higher agent renewal of $149
2. ME Registered Agent.org: best for adding a single state
Service fee $199 and $250 to the state; agent renewal $99
ME Registered Agent.org ranks second. In short, it charges $199 plus the state fee, with the agent included in year one, then $99 a year.
Includes
- Registration filed for you
- Year-one registered agent
Points in its favor
- $199 on top of the state fee
- First-year agent in the price
- $99 annually after that
Where it falls short
- A separate agent is needed in the home state
3. Maine Registered Agent.co: best for a one-state add-on
Service fee $199 and $250 to the state; agent renewal $99
Maine Registered Agent.co ranks third. In short, it charges $199 plus the state fee, with the agent included in year one, then $99 a year.
The prices match ME Registered Agent.org, so pick the one you prefer.
Includes
- Registration filed for you
- Year-one registered agent
Points in its favor
- First-year agent in the price
- $199 on top of the state fee
- $99 annually after that
Where it falls short
- A separate agent is needed in the home state
The picks compared
| # | Company | First-year price | Renewal price | Over three years | What you get | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | application prepared and filed; registered agent, free during year one; works in all fifty states | Open Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | ME Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | registration filed for you; Year-one registered agent | Open ME Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Maine Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | registration filed for you; Year-one registered agent | Open Maine Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Explanations
Do I need to register my out-of-state LLC?
An LLC formed elsewhere registers with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions before it does business in Maine.
If you skip it, expect it cannot bring a lawsuit in Maine courts until it registers (31 MRSA 1629(1)).
(legislature.maine.gov, October 2026)
What are the fees to register?
$250 goes to the state, plus $199 if a service handles it.
State fees over three years, registration included: $550. (maine.gov, October 2026)
What gets submitted?
One document is needed: the Statement of Foreign Qualification to Conduct Activities (Form MLLC-12), filed with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions.
Attach certificate of existence dated at most 90 days.
What does it cost to stay registered?
Expect a Annual report for a foreign LLC at $150.
Mark your calendar for June 1.
What decided the ranking?
It is how much work the price handles, weighted at 28%, that puts Mainstay Filing first.
Most of the score, 62%, comes from what three years cost and how much work the price handles.
ME Registered Agent.org covers Maine only, so the home state would need a different provider.
Official Maine requirements
| Item | Detail | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $250 | (maine.gov, October 2026) |
| Certificate from home state | Yes, 90 days | (legislature.maine.gov, October 2026) |
| Annual report for a foreign LLC | $150 | (legislature.maine.gov, October 2026) |
| Paid to the state in three years | $550 | The rows above, added |
FAQ
Does the home state need its own agent?
Yes. Your home state still requires its own agent, and Mainstay Filing can cover both states under one account.
How much is each one after three years?
Mainstay Filing at $497, ME Registered Agent.org at $397, Maine Registered Agent.co at $397, not counting state fees.
What are your sources?
Official schedules for state fees, company pricing for service fees, and every figure carries a date.
Is a service required?
No. The state takes filings from owners directly; a service just saves time and covers the agent role.
Can someone else submit the registration?
Any of them can file it for you, with the state fee unchanged.
Which company ranks first in Maine?
Mainstay Filing is on top because you pay $199 plus Maine's fee, with the registered agent free in year one and $149 a year after that; ME Registered Agent.org and Maine Registered Agent.co follow.
Official sources and price pages
- August 2026 confirmation of Maine Secretary of State at maine.gov
- August 2026 confirmation of Maine Secretary of State at maine.gov
- August 2026 confirmation of Maine report due date at maine.gov
- August 2026 confirmation of 31 M.R.S. sec. 1531 at legislature.maine.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of Maine formation fee: Filing fee at legislature.maine.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of Maine registered agent statute at legislature.maine.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of Maine Secretary of State, foreign at maine.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of Form MLLC-12 at maine.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of 31 MRSA § 1622, foreign at legislature.maine.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of 31 MRSA § 1623, activities at legislature.maine.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of 31 MRSA § 1629, consequences at legislature.maine.gov
- Maine service page from Mainstay Filing, prices as of November 13, 2026
- pricing page from ME Registered Agent.org, prices as of November 13, 2026
- pricing page from Maine Registered Agent.co, prices as of November 13, 2026