Whether you’re searching for the right business name or registering your LLC with the Maine Secretary of State, BCEC, Bizee can help. We have all the information you need to know on how to conduct a Maine business search, plus LLC naming rules, assumed names and registering your business.
General Rules for LLC Names
These rules typically apply to all LLCs, regardless of what state they’re formed in.
Specific Rules for Maine Business Names
As mentioned above, Maine requires LLCs to comply with the general naming rules. Unlike many other states, the state of Maine doesn't require further naming regulations to be met.
How to Come Up with a Business Name
Finding the perfect business name can be elusive. We have a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but essentially, you'll want to choose a name that will:
- Best represent your product or services
- Appeal to your customers
- Be memorable enough to stand out
- Not be used by any other business in Maine
Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free name generator.
Maine Business Search
Once you have an idea of your preferred business name, you’ll need to perform a Maine business entity search to make sure the name hasn’t been taken by another formed business.
Bizee offers a fast, simple and convenient tool to look up your proposed business name. The Maine SOS, BCEC also has a tool that lets you search the State of Maine corporate name registry to see whether your desired name is available or if another business is using your preferred name.
Find Out Whether Your Preferred Business Name is Available in Maine With Bizee’s Free Tool
Check Your LLC Name![Business Name Search Tool](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Business%20Name%20Search%20Tool.png&w=1080&q=75)
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your Maine LLC name doesn’t infringe on the trademark or service mark of another business. The easiest way to make sure your proposed business name doesn’t do that is to complete a trademark search through Bizee. If no one else is using it, you can even register it as a trademark yourself.
Make Sure Your Business is Starting Off on the Right Foot When It Comes to Intellectual Property.
Make Sure Your Business is Starting Off on the Right Foot When It Comes to Intellectual Property.
Bizee’s Trademark and Registration Service![Trademark](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Trademark.png&w=1080&q=75)
Maine DBA or Assumed Name
You may do business under a different name from your legal LLC name. In some states, this is called a DBA (doing business as), trade name or fictitious name. In Maine, it's referred to as an assumed name. You may decide to use a Maine assumed name for a variety of reasons.
For example, your business might be called Magical Marketing Solutions, LLC, and under that company, you have an event planning business called Magical Events. You could file for an assumed name just for that company. You'll need to submit a statement of intention to do business under an assumed or fictitious name with the Maine Secretary of State, BCEC. Or you can have Bizee do it on your behalf through our DBA service.
Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark. Learn more about trademark vs. DBA.
Register and Manage a DBA or Trade Name Through Our Easy-To-Use Service
Get a DBA or Trade Name![Assumed business name document](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2Fassumed-business-name-phone.png&w=1920&q=75)
Register Your Business Name With the Maine Secretary of State (SOS)
Once you’ve completed a Maine business entity search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and decided whether you need a trade name, you can register your LLC name. There are a couple of ways to do this.
If you don’t want to form your LLC right now, you can reserve the business name. You can file an Application for Reservation of Name with the Maine Secretary of State. Your name will be reserved for 120 days once the application is processed, and may not be renewed. If you’re forming your Maine LLC right away, you won’t need to reserve a name.
If you’re ready to start your LLC now, you can file your Certificate of Formation with the Maine SOS, BCEC or have Bizee do it for you.
Bizee Can Handle All Your Formation Paperwork With the State of Maine for You — and We’ll Do It for Free!
Bizee Can Handle All Your Formation Paperwork With the State of Maine for You — and We’ll Do It for Free!
Start Your LLC Now![Business Formation](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FBusiness%20Formation.jpeg&w=1920&q=75)
FAQs about Maine Business Names
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