Maine LLC or Nevada 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 Nevada costs about $1,900 more over five years in state fees alone — before paying for a registered agent in Nevada.
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 Nevada, register in Maine
Nevada
Articles of Organization (plus required $150 Initial List and $200 State Business License fee = $425 total)$75
Annual List of Managers or Members (with State Business License renewal)$150 / yr
State Business License fee$200 / yr
Commerce Tax$0
Maine (foreign registration)
Statement of Foreign Qualification (MLLC-12)$250
Annual Report (MLLC-13)$85 / yr
Year one$675
Each year after$435
5-year total$2,415
What the fees don't show
- Forming in Nevada while operating in Maine means two sets of reports and two sets of deadlines, adding about $350 a year.
- You need a registered agent with a street address in Nevada. 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.