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Swyft Filings is committed to providing accurate, reliable information to help you make informed decisions for your business. That's why our content is written and edited by professional editors, writers, and subject matter experts. Learn more about how Swyft Filings works, our editorial team and standards, what our customers think of us, and more on our trust page.
Registering your Maine business name requires research into name availability. With a business name search tool, you can conduct that research quickly and have your new business registered sooner.
See if your company name is available in Maine with our free business name search service. There is no cost or commitment on your part. We will email you within 1 hour to let you know if your name is available Alaska and how to reserve it today.
Whether you want to register a Maine corporation or LLC name, the process will look rather similar. You can get it done using the search tool in three simple steps:
Enter your corporation or limited liability company (LLC) information with the desired business name.
Submit the info and wait less than one hour for the tool to search the Maine Secretary of State database.
Receive your results in your email and either reserve your company name or search for a different one.
Whether you’re a small business owner or an entrepreneur launching a startup, you can easily find an appropriate entity name for your enterprise with a business name search.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the naming conventions for Maine businesses will help you choose an appropriate title for your company within the accepted standards.
An LLC or corporate name search ensures your business gets a unique name, helping you avoid confusion and potential legal complications down the line.
Finding an available name for your Maine LLC or corporation is the first step, followed by a name reservation and domain registration.
Maine’s Business Naming Conventions
Maine’s state legislature provides clear guidelines regarding business naming conventions.[1] Correctly naming your business ensures your company has a legal distinction from existing businesses, allowing you to maintain good standing with state and federal authorities.
According to the legislature, every business in Maine must adhere to two elementary rules. The company must be founded with a lawful purpose and must be subject to state regulation. Your business name can’t suggest anything contrary to these two rules — for instance, “Tax Evading Bank Robbers, Inc.” would be an immediate no-go.
Furthermore, a business name must be distinguishable. In other words, it mustn’t match the name of any existing entity from the following list:
Corporations (profit or nonprofit)
LLCs, including incorporated partnerships
Registered or reserved names
Fictitious or assumed names, provided those belong to a registered entity
Registered marks, unless the applicant is also the mark holder
This is where a business entity search tool comes into play, which can greatly help ensure compliance with this particular convention.
Maine allows businesses to take already registered names, but only in specific cases. For instance, your company could be named like another entity if you have the appropriate authorization or court decision. Corporate mergers, reorganizations, and acquisitions also allow the use of an already registered name.
Finally, you can use company descriptions like “limited liability company, corporation, incorporated, limited,” etc., as well as their abbreviations (LLC, Co., Inc., Ltd.) at the end of your name. However, your name cannot contain obscene language, refer to activities against the law, or imply that the business is associated with any state or public institution.
Benefits of a Maine Entity Search
A Maine entity search will be your first step toward launching a successful company. It will allow you to reap several benefits:
Create a strong brand identity: The most recognizable brands in the market often have unique names, and choosing an ideal title for your brand is an excellent starting point.
Avoid potential legal issues: Registering your business under an unavailable name will lead to unnecessary complications, including possible legal action against your company that could cost considerable time and money.
Secure a domain name: A modern business necessitates an online presence, and a business entity search tool can help you secure a suitable domain name at the start of your business journey.
Access business resources: A quality business entity search will help you take further steps with your name, from name reservation and business licenses to launching a business.
Next Steps
Once you’ve found a suitable name for your business, it’s time to launch it. However, before you get started, you’ll need to perform several actions with the business name.
Complete Your Name Reservation
When you find an available name you like, you need to reserve it to ensure another business doesn’t take it. The reservation will secure your name while you handle corporation or LLC formation paperwork.
You can reserve a business name in Maine by filing an Application for Reservation of Name for corporations or LLCs. You’ll need to cover a $20 filing fee, after which the name will be reserved for up to 120 days.[2]
Keep in mind that reservation doesn’t mean registration. Instead, you’ll reserve it long enough to complete other essential tasks, such as your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization.
Choose a Domain Name
It’s best to start thinking about a company website from day one. Your site can serve as the primary hub for conducting business and a depository of vital information about your organization.
Besides the web address, you should ensure your site provides everything your clients need to know, including:
Phone number
Email
Business address
Product or service overview
Consider a DBA
The previous steps are straightforward if your chosen name is available. But even if it’s not, that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck.
A company doesn’t need to operate under its registered name. Instead, you can apply for a DBA. Standing for “doing business as,” a DBA represents a fictitious title under which your business can operate legally.
Filing a DBA will require you to use the appropriate form for your business type. The official address, maine.gov, contains all the forms you may need, as well as additional info. You can send the forms via mail to:
Maine Secretary of State
Division of Corporations, UCC, and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
The DBA, called “assumed name” in Maine, will have different mailing fees depending on your business’ location.[3] The fee is $125 for Maine-based companies and $40 for other businesses.
File Your LLC Online
After you’ve verified your name availability, you can proceed with your LLC online application. However, this part of the formative process might be somewhat complex. You must secure the appropriate documentation and ensure compliance with Maine regulations.
With Swyft Filings, filing an LLC online will be seamless and quick. Our online platform contains helpful tools to streamline the process for you and produce near-instantaneous results. With our professional assistance, you can overcome all potential obstacles to business registration.
What if you didn’t find that perfect name straight away and registered a business under another title? Don’t worry — we can help you change the name of your business immediately. Explore our services and ensure everything about your company is set up precisely how you want it.
Enter your desired Maine company name to see if it is available with our free business name search.
FAQs
How do I find out if my business name is taken in Maine?
A Maine business name search tool is the best way to know whether the desired name is available or not.
What is the Maine Secretary of State Business Entity Search?
The Maine Secretary of State Business Entity Search is an online tool to look for available business names or specific company information.
How do I find a business in Maine?
You can use the Maine Bureau of Corporations’ business entity search tool to find any registered business in Maine by name or charter number. If you don’t have a particular business in mind, search for the related profession on Google while adding “in Maine” to your query, i.e., “plumbing service in Maine.”
How much does a Maine business entity search cost?
The business entity search tool is available on the Maine Department of the Secretary of State website and is free to use. Note that search results on this tool will return only the top 100 records. You can also use Swyft Filings’ free business name search.
What are some of the benefits of a business entity search?
Conducting a business entity search allows you to see whether the name you want for your business is already taken or find information on a particular business.
How much is a business license in Maine?
The cost of a business license in Maine will depend on your business type. The state fee might be thousands of dollars, particularly for companies dealing in liquor. On the other hand, a sales permit won’t cost a dime.
What is the process for forming a corporation in Maine?
To form a corporation in Maine, you’ll need to perform the following steps:
Choose a business name
Find a registered agent service
Appoint directors and issue shares
File your Articles of Incorporation
Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Bibliography
Maine Legislature - Maine Revised Statutes. “Title 13-C, Chapter 4, Section 401.” Accessed April 27, 2023.
FindLaw. “Forming an LLC in Maine.” Accessed April 27, 2023.
Chamber of Commerce. “How to File a DBA in Maine.” Accessed April 27, 2023.
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