Maine Corporation Foreign Qualification

What is a Maine Foreign Corporation?

A foreign Maine Corporation is an INC originally formed in another state that registers to do business in Maine. The process of registering a foreign Corporation in Maine is called foreign qualification. Foreign qualification is used to register a foreign company so that it may transact business in the state of Maine. There are a few requirements when filing an application for registration in Maine.

 

How to Register A Foreign Corporation in Maine

Foreign Corporation Requirements

  1. Corporation Name
  2. Registered Agent
  3. Jurisdiction
  4. Principal Office
  5. Directors/Officers
  6. Cover Letter

Corporation Name

The original name of the Corporation is required. If the name of your Corporation is not available in Maine, a fictitious name may be used for the filing.

Registered Agent

Corporate Filing Solutions is a Commercial Registered Agent in Maine. We will accept any important legal documents for your company issued by a court or the Division of Corporations at the Maine Secretary of State.

Jurisdiction

The date and state or country where the Corporation was formed is required information on the Application for Authority to do Business in Maine.

Principal Office

List the Principal Office for the Corporation, wherever located. A separate mailing address can be listed also.

Directors/Officers

Current Officers and Directors will be listed with a street or mailing address by each name.

Cover Letter

A cover letter will include the name of the entity, the filing attached, any special instructions on handling, fee enclosed, contact info and return address for after processing.

 

How to File a Maine Foreign Corporation Qualification Document

Steps to Maine Corporation Foreign Qualification:

  1. Select a Name to Register in Maine: You must register a name for your foreign Corporation to use in Maine and ultimately your Maine Corporation foreign qualification approval. The name cannot already be registered to another entity. You can do a Business Name Search to discover whether or not your name is currently available.
  2. Submit an Application for Authority to Do Business: To foreign qualify, you must file an Application for Authority to Do Business to the Maine Corporations Division. There is a $250 filing fee. You are required to include a Filer Contact Cover Letter, which can be found attached to the Application, and a Certificate of Existence from your home state. Within the Application, you must also appoint a commercial or noncommercial clerk.
  3. Wait for Processing: Typical processing in Maine is two weeks, however, expedited processing is available.

 

Maine Foreign Corporation Registration Quick Facts

 

Can I Mail My Annual Report?

Yes. You can create a pre-printed Annual Report form online at the SOS website, print it, and mail it to the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions.

 

What Are the Consequences for Transacting Business Without Authority?

Should you conduct business within the state without proper authority, your corporation will be fined $500 per year. As well, your corporation will not have the legal authority to maintain a proceeding in any court within the State (except in the case of defending itself in court).

 

Maine Commercial Clerk Responsibilities

Maine commercial clerk is responsible for having and maintaining a registered office within the state. A registered office must be a physical street location, not a PO box. The office must be kept open during regular business hours year-round. A commercial clerk must accept service of process on behalf of clients. When documents are accepted, the client must be contacted. All documents must be forwarded to clients in a timely manner.

 

Maine Annual Report

After foreign corporation registration, you must file an Annual Report each year with the Corporations Division. The filing deadline for Annual Reports, which can be filed online, is June 1. The Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions charges a $150 Annual Report fee.

 

Why Hire Corporate Filing Solutions to Form Your Maine Foreign Corporation?

Registering your Foreign Corporation in Maine shouldn’t be a hassle or a time consumer. That’s why we offer Filings Made Easy™ to make registering an INC in Maine super easy.

Hire us and relax while our filing experts file your new Maine Foreign Corporation. Our staff will process orders the same business day as they are received. To make things even easier, we bundle the first year of registered agent service and ensure your Maine Foreign Corporation comes fully equipped and ready to do its job.

Agent service for your Corporation in Maine for as low as $55.