Lookup Business Entity | Form Corporation | FAQ
The Secretary of State’s Business Entity Database contains information about Maine corporations and limited liability companies. If you want to check to see if another company has registered under your name, you may use this tool to determine if you need to operate under a fake name. This type of inquiry also allows business owners and managers to look for extensive information on a specific entity or obtain a Certificate of Legal Existence.
| Official website: | https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/corp/ |
| Address: | 101 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0101 |
| Telephone: | (207) 624-7736 |
| Fax: | (207) 287-5428 |
| E-mail: | cec.corporations@maine.gov |
Maine Business Search Shortcut
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How To Lookup An Entity In Maine
Maine Secretary Of State Business Search By Keyword
- Visit the Maine secretary of state business search website to get to the keyword box
- Select Coordinate Name Search from the drop-down menu. You can enter any terms you think will help you narrow down your search. Because the number of search results is restricted to 100, you should aim to pick phrases that are particular to the entity at issue.
- On the next page, you’ll get a list of 100 businesses that best fit the criteria you entered in your search. The name will be on the right, followed by the name type, and then the information summary.
- Click on the company’s name. This link will take you to a page containing information about the company.
- You’ll find the charter number, registered agent, business address, jurisdiction, and filing history on this page. The option to obtain a Certificate of Legal Existence is located underneath this.
Maine Secretary Of State Business Search By Charter Number
- If you search by charter number, you may avoid the step of browsing through 100 search results to discover your company name. Instead, it will send you straight to the summary of information page.
- Go back to the Maine SOS business search webpage and fill out the second section with the charter number.
- If you type it correctly, it should take you to a website where you can see all of the information on that company in the CEC database.
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Steps To Forming A New Corporation In Maine
1. Choose a name for your company
To find out if a name is available, go to the Maine Secretary of State’s website and do a name search. The name of your corporation must be distinct from that of other corporate names that are currently on record with the Maine Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. By submitting an Application for Reservation of Name to the Maine Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Commercial Services, you can reserve a name for six months.
2. Decide on a business structure
New businesses must determine the structure of their business. In the Maine Department of Assessment and Taxation, the most frequent business formations are; limited liability companies, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and corporations.
3. Select a Registered Agent in Maine
The state of Maine requires every business to have an agent for legal process serving. If a company is sued, this person or business consents to take court documents on the company’s behalf. An entity with a certificate of power to conduct business in Maine such as Northwest Registered Agent and GoDaddy, a Maine resident, a Maine company, or a foreign entity may serve as a registered agent.
4. Register your company with the Secretary of State of Maine
Separation between you and your company is created when you register your firm as a legal entity with the State of Maine. It is because of this separation that you have limited liability protection, which protects you from being held personally liable for actions taken against your company.
5. Obtain the necessary permissions and licenses for your business
Operating an enterprise in Maine requires the acquisition of permits or licenses. Individual occupational and professional licenses may be required in addition to business licenses for either you or the professionals you hire.
6. Create a business checking account
You must keep your personal and business money separate to preserve the liability protections earned by registering your firm. The best method to achieve this is to open a business bank account.
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Frequently Asked Questions On Maine Secretary Of State Business Search
What are the various kinds of corporations?
- A business corporation is established to conduct business in the fullest meaning of the term to make a profit.
- A nonprofit corporation is founded to further a certain goal of an organization that is not for profit. In general, philanthropic, beneficent, and educational organizations fall under this category.
Business and nonprofit cooperation can be domestic or international. A domestic corporation has been formed under the statutes of the state of Maine. A foreign corporation that has been formed under the laws of another state or nation may be permitted to conduct business in Maine by registering with the state.
Who is a registered agent?
A company’s registered agent is the person who receives service of process in legal issues on behalf of the corporation. A company must have a registered agent on file at all times, and any change in the registered agent must be submitted with the Secretary of State’s Office within 30 days.
What is a corporation?
A corporation is a legal body formed by individuals to perform specific sorts of business or activities under the laws of a state. Shareholders, directors, and workers are not part of the corporation. From the perspective of the law, a company is a “person.” A corporation has the same rights and obligations as a person and works in the same way. The company has the authority to enter into contracts, acquire obligations, and sue and be sued. The corporation, its stockholders, and its board of directors all have unique responsibilities and obligations to one another.