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How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Maine

Maine calls it the Certificate of Existence and charges $30. Here is how to order it and what must be current first.

At a glance

Document name
Certificate of Existence
State fee
$30
Online ordering
Yes
Typical turnaround
Online: immediate via Interactive Corporate Services. Mail: processing may be slower due to backlog
Issuing office
Maine SOS ↗

How to order it

  1. Clear any past-due filings first. The Maine SOS will not issue a certificate while you have unpaid tax or an unfiled report. The state-specific requirements are in the points below.
  2. Order it online. Search your LLC in the Maine portal, request the certificate, and download it. Link in the table above.
  3. Pay the $30 fee. Pay by card at checkout. A small card surcharge usually applies.
  4. Use it inside the recipient's window. The certificate has no state expiration, but banks and other states usually want one dated within the last 30 to 90 days. Order it close to when you need it.
Full ordering details for Maine

Maine calls this document the Certificate of Existence (for domestic entities) or Certificate of Qualification (for foreign entities). Order online through the Bureau of Corporations Interactive Corporate Services (ICRS). Requires an InforME subscription account or credit card at the time of order.

Processing and expedited tiers: Online: immediate via Interactive Corporate Services. Mail: processing may be slower due to backlog

Important to know about Maine

  • The Maine annual report ($85, due June 1) must be current. Missing it for 60 days triggers administrative dissolution. First report is due the year after formation.
  • Maine has significant processing-time backlogs for paper filings (as of early 2026, corporate filings were running 35-40 business days). Online Certificate of Existence is not subject to this backlog and is delivered immediately.
  • For foreign-state apostilles/authentications, Maine requires a paper request that cannot be processed through the online ICRS system.

Ordering this to register in another state?

A certificate of good standing is what a new state asks for when you register your Maine LLC to do business there. Start with the guide for where you are expanding.

Maine foreign LLC guide · Foreign qualification by state

Related guides

This page provides general information based on publicly available Maine Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Names, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Maine SOS before ordering.