Maine LLC or Delaware LLC?
If you run your business in Maine, here's what each route costs in state fees.
The short answer
For a business that operates in Maine, forming in Delaware costs about $2,185 more over five years in state fees alone — before paying for a registered agent in Delaware.
Form in Maine
Maine
Certificate of Formation (MLLC-6)$175
Annual Report (MLLC-13)$85 / yr
Year one$175
Each year after$85
5-year total$515
Form in Delaware, register in Maine
Delaware
Certificate of Formation$110
Annual LLC tax payment (no separate report)$0
LLC annual tax$400 / yr
Maine (foreign registration)
Statement of Foreign Qualification (MLLC-12)$250
Annual Report (MLLC-13)$85 / yr
Year one$760
Each year after$485
5-year total$2,700
What the fees don't show
- Forming in Delaware while operating in Maine means two sets of reports and two sets of deadlines, adding about $400 a year.
- You need a registered agent with a street address in Delaware. If you don't have one there, that's a paid service every year.
- Out-of-state formation makes the most sense when you raise outside investment, operate in many states, or have a specific legal reason — not as a default.
State fees only, from each state's official fee pages. Not legal or tax advice.