How To Search Maine Business Entities
- How To Search Maine Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Maine?
- Why Conduct a Maine Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Maine Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Maine?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Maine?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Maine?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Maine?
- Additional Information Available on the Maine Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Maine
Roughly 12,000 new business entities, large and small, are registered in Louisiana each year. These include corporations, LLCs, non-profits, and more. The primary source for the most correct information about Louisiana business entities is typically the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.
Whether you are investigating the legitimacy of a Louisiana business or looking for detailed information before entering into a contract with a company, finding detailed information about a Louisiana business is reasonably straightforward.
Choose Your Search Criteria
The page usually allows you to search by entity name, charter number, trade registration number, name reservation number, officer name, or agent name.
Entity NameSearch using the full or partial name of the business.
Charter NumberEnter the unique charter number assigned to the business.
- Trade Registration Number
Search using the trade name registration number, if applicable.
Name Reservation NumberUsed to look up reserved business names prior to registration.
Officer NameSearch using the name of a listed officer of the business.
Agent NameSearch using the name of the business’s registered agent.
Review Search Results
After entering your search criteria, click the “Search” button to view a list of matching business entities. In addition to the name, the search results will display the entity type (LLC, LP, nonprofit, or other type of business), city, and status (active or inactive). When you click “Details,” more detailed information about the entity should appear.
Further Assistance
Contact the Louisiana Secretary of State's office if you need assistance when performing a business entity search.
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Maine?
An online search may lead you to the business's official website, where you might find information about its directors, public-facing executives, and owners. However, search engine results are often unreliable, especially when seeking information about a business entity’s ownership structure. You may have better luck searching government documents and other public databases for detailed information about who owns a business entity in Maine.
Start by using the Maine Secretary of State’s corporate name search tool, designed to provide users with detailed information about registered business entities in Maine. It sometimes includes the names of listed agents, owners, and officers. You may successfully obtain the information you need by following the outlined steps.
Other local resources that may help you identify local business owners include:
Additional Resources for Business Ownership Info
Chambers of CommerceLocal chambers of commerce often maintain public directories of members, which sometimes include ownership details.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)The BBB occasionally publishes business profiles, company ownership information, customer reviews, and complaints.
Other Public RecordsBusiness licenses, real estate transactions, and court documents involving the business entity may also provide ownership information.
Why Conduct a Maine Entity Search?
Anyone seeking to verify an organization's trustworthiness and transparency before entering into a relationship with it will often rely on entity searches in Maine.
Investors often conduct Maine business entity searches to thoroughly vet a company and better understand its ownership structure to make the appropriate investment decision.
Maine entity searches may assist you in confirming the legitimacy of a business partner or supplier during the procurement process or when entering into any mutual arrangement.
Entity searches may be used in fraud prevention because they can help you verify important details about a company, including its business filings and ownership structure.
Who Holds Data for Maine Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Maine?
You can register many types of business entities in Maine, from for-profit to non-profit groups. Filing requirements vary by entity type.
In Maine, sole proprietorships, businesses owned by a single individual, and general partnerships, where two or more people serve as co-owners of a for-profit business, are not required to register with the Secretary of State’s Bureau of Corporations.
In a C-corporation, the business entity is separate from its owners, offering limited liability protection, and is taxed independently at the corporate level.
An S-corporation is a recognized business entity that provides limited liability protection. For taxation purposes, profits and losses pass through directly to shareholders.
LPs have general partners who manage the business and non-managing limited partners with liability protection.
LLPs offer liability protection to all partners, regardless of management role.
LLCs protect business owners' liability while allowing profits and losses to be reported on personal tax returns.
Nonprofits are corporations created for public, charitable, educational, or religious purposes. They can qualify for tax-exempt status under federal and state law.
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Maine?
When choosing a business entity name in Maine, you should ensure that the name meets all relevant legal requirements, including trademark and copyright laws.
Aside from the legal reasons, there are practical reasons for choosing a unique entity name.
While there is no complete list of business names registered in Maine, you can search multiple public databases to see if the name you want is available. These databases typically include:
How Do I Set up a Business Entity in Maine?
Next, you’ll typically follow these steps:
- Ensure that the business name you choose is available.
- File the appropriate documents with the Bureau of Corporations.
- Report your company’s beneficial ownership information (BOI).
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Register with the Maine Department of Revenue.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Maine?
The primary cost of starting a business in Maine is related to the initial filing fee paid to the Secretary of State, which starts at $175 for most business entities. The base filing fee is $40 for a nonprofit. Foreign entities, which are businesses formed out of state, must pay a $250 registration fee to do business in the state.
Generally, any business entity registered in Maine must file annual reports with the Bureau of Corporations. The first one is due between January 1 and June 1 of the year after the initial registration. Subsequent annual reports are due within the same timeframe in the following calendar years.
Additional Information Available on the Maine Secretary of State’s Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Maine
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding business entity searches in Maine.
- Why would I need to search for a business entity in Maine?
You may need to search for a business entity in Maine for legal, financial, or personal reasons. For example, you may want to verify a company's legal status, check if it’s in good standing, or confirm ownership details.
- What types of entities can I search for in Maine?
You can search for most registered business entities in Maine, including corporations, LLCs, LPs, non-profits, and professional corporations. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not required to register with the state, so information on these types of businesses may be unavailable.
- Where can I perform a business entity search in Maine?
You may search for a business entity in Maine using the Secretary of State’s corporate name search tool.
- What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Maine?
To conduct an entity search in Maine, you typically need either the full or partial name of the business entity or charter number.
- How do I find the official name of a Maine business?
You may find the official name of a Maine business using the Secretary of State’s corporate name search tool. You may search by business entity name or charter number.
- Can I search for foreign entities in Maine?
Yes. You may search for businesses registered as foreign entities, which are companies formed in another state but registered to do business in Maine.
- What information can I find in the Maine entity search?
You can typically find details such as entity type, status (active, inactive, or dissolved), filing history, address, registered agents, annual reports, and more.
- How do I verify if a Maine business is in good standing?
The Maine Secretary of State’s corporate name search tool generally allows you to check a business’s registration status and compliance with tax requirements.
- Can I search for an entity in Maine by its owner’s name?
The Maine Secretary of State’s corporate name search tool allows you to search by business entity name or charter number.
- How often is the Maine business entity database updated?
The Maine business entity database is updated whenever a business entity submits a new filing, like an annual report.
- Can I obtain copies of business filings in Maine?
Yes, you may request certified business filings from the Maine Secretary of State’s Bureau of Corporations, including articles of incorporation, articles of amendment, annual reports, and more.
- How do I find out who the registered agent of a Maine business is?
The registered agent's name and address are typically included in the business’s public filings, which may be accessed through the Maine Secretary of State’s corporate name search tool.
- How can I search for Maine businesses by their tax ID number?
The Maine Secretary of State’s corporate name search tool does not allow you to search for businesses using their tax ID numbers.
- What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Maine search?
Verify the spelling of the business name or search by the entity’s charter number. You may also need to check foreign entity filings to see if the business is registered in a different state or try a different name.
- How To Search Maine Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Maine?
- Why Conduct a Maine Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Maine Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Maine?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Maine?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Maine?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Maine?
- Additional Information Available on the Maine Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Maine