This state overview includes local filing rules. Choose your entity below, then confirm the office for the location where you do business. A county example or fee in the sources is not a statewide filing destination or a quote for your selected office.
If your location is not listed, use the local authority described in the entity rules below. We do not have a reviewed local answer for every location.
What Maine calls a DBA
The official term documented here is assumed name.
Maine routes assumed-name filings by legal structure. The Secretary of State’s trade-name guidance says sole proprietors using a trade name and general partnerships must file with the municipal clerk where the business is located. Title 31 supplies the underlying rules: a sole proprietor adopting a business designation other than the proprietor’s own name must deposit a signed and sworn certificate with the city or town clerk before commencing business, and partners beginning a mercantile enterprise must deposit their signed and sworn certificate before commencing business. Formed entities use a different layer. Maine’s official guidance sends corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited liability companies that want a different operating name to an assumed-name form filed with the Division of Corporations. The current corporation and LLC forms pages identify ASUM-5 for domestic or foreign entities and list a $125 filing fee. This guide preserves that split instead of implying that every Maine DBA goes to the state. Confirm the entity type and business municipality before selecting an action.
If you are operating your business as a sole proprietor, under a trade name, or as a general partnership you are required by Maine law to file with the municipal clerk where your business is located
If you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
Whenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by him
Whenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by them
Prior to transacting business in this State under an assumed or fictitious name, a limited liability company shall execute and deliver to the office of the Secretary of State for filing a statement
ASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Termination of Statement of Intention to Transact Business under an Assumed or Fictitious Name $20.00
Search existing names
An official name-search entry point for Maine is not confirmed in this guide. Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access. A search elsewhere is not a substitute for the filing authority’s own records.
Rules by legal entity type
Jump to the entity that already exists. Each section keeps its own authority, fee, exceptions, and official evidence.
Local filing route: confirm the county, parish, city or town office identified by the authority and applicability below. The following forms, fees and office details are references from the cited jurisdiction; confirm they apply to your location before using them. Check reviewed local filing choices →
Required: Yes, when the documented conditions apply.Source: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptIf you are operating your business as a sole proprietor, under a trade name, or as a general partnership you are required by Maine law to file with the municipal clerk where your business is located
Authority: office of the clerk of the city or townSource: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWhenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by him
When this route applies: Whenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by himSource: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWhenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by him
Local filing reference — Official form: certificate signed and swornSource: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWhenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by him
Local filing reference — Form destination: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/31/title31sec2.htmlSource: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWhenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by him
Local filing reference — Online filing link: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Official fee: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Effective duration: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Renewal: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Changes or amendments: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Abandonment or cancellation: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Important exclusions: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Mail filing: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — In-person filing: Not confirmed in this guide.
General partnership
Local filing route: confirm the county, parish, city or town office identified by the authority and applicability below. The following forms, fees and office details are references from the cited jurisdiction; confirm they apply to your location before using them. Check reviewed local filing choices →
Required: Yes, when the documented conditions apply.Source: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptIf you are operating your business as a sole proprietor, under a trade name, or as a general partnership you are required by Maine law to file with the municipal clerk where your business is located
Authority: office of the clerk of the city or townSource: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWhenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by them
When this route applies: Whenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by themSource: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWhenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by them
Local filing reference — Official form: certificate signed and swornSource: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWhenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by them
Local filing reference — Form destination: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/31/title31sec1.htmlSource: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWhenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by them
Local filing reference — Online filing link: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Official fee: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Effective duration: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Renewal: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Changes or amendments: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Abandonment or cancellation: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Important exclusions: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — Mail filing: Not confirmed in this guide.
Local filing reference — In-person filing: Not confirmed in this guide.
LLC
Required: Yes, when the documented conditions apply.Source: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptPrior to transacting business in this State under an assumed or fictitious name, a limited liability company shall execute and deliver to the office of the Secretary of State for filing a statement
Authority: Division of CorporationsSource: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptIf you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
When this route applies: If you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.Source: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptIf you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
Official form: ASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed NameSource: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Form destination: https://www.maine.gov/sos/corporations-commissions/i-need-a-business-form/limited-liability-company-formsSource: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Online filing link: Not confirmed in this guide.
Official fee: $125.00Source: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Effective duration: Not confirmed in this guide.
Renewal: Not confirmed in this guide.
Changes or amendments: Not confirmed in this guide.
Abandonment or cancellation: Termination of Statement of Intention to Transact Business under an Assumed or Fictitious Name $20.00Source: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptTermination of Statement of Intention to Transact Business under an Assumed or Fictitious Name $20.00
Important exclusions: Not confirmed in this guide.
Mail filing: complete on-screen, print and mail to our office together with the proper filing feeSource: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptcomplete on-screen, print and mail to our office together with the proper filing fee
In-person filing: Not confirmed in this guide.
Corporation
Required: Yes, when the documented conditions apply.Source: legislature.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptPrior to transacting business in this State under an assumed or fictitious name, a corporation shall execute and deliver for filing a statement
Authority: Division of CorporationsSource: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptIf you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
When this route applies: If you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.Source: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptIf you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
Official form: ASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed NameSource: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Form destination: https://www.maine.gov/sos/corporations-commissions/i-need-a-business-form/business-corporation-formsSource: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Online filing link: Not confirmed in this guide.
Official fee: $125.00Source: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Effective duration: Not confirmed in this guide.
Renewal: Not confirmed in this guide.
Changes or amendments: Not confirmed in this guide.
Abandonment or cancellation: Termination of Statement of Intention to Transact Business under an Assumed or Fictitious Name $20.00Source: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptTermination of Statement of Intention to Transact Business under an Assumed or Fictitious Name $20.00
Important exclusions: Not confirmed in this guide.
Mail filing: complete on-screen, print and mail to our office together with the proper filing feeSource: www.maine.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptcomplete on-screen, print and mail to our office together with the proper filing fee
In-person filing: Not confirmed in this guide.
How to file through the authority
A sole proprietor should begin with the clerk for the city or town where the business will be carried on and ask for that municipality’s current assumed-business-name certificate and submission instructions. Title 31 requires the certificate to be signed and sworn and identifies the information it contains, but the statewide sources reviewed here do not publish a universal local fee, online portal, mailing address, or counter procedure. A general partnership follows the same municipal routing while using the partnership certificate described in section 1. Formed entities should open the applicable Maine Secretary of State forms page, select ASUM-5, complete the current form, print it, and mail it with the proper filing fee as the official page directs. The current list prices the assumed-name filing at $125. The form and authority—not this site—collect the entity and payment details. This guide does not accept names, owner addresses, signatures, credentials, or money, and it does not substitute a state filing for the required municipal certificate.
If you are operating your business as a sole proprietor, under a trade name, or as a general partnership you are required by Maine law to file with the municipal clerk where your business is located
If you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
Whenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by him
Whenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by them
Prior to transacting business in this State under an assumed or fictitious name, a limited liability company shall execute and deliver to the office of the Secretary of State for filing a statement
ASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Termination of Statement of Intention to Transact Business under an Assumed or Fictitious Name $20.00
Renewal, amendment, and abandonment
The reviewed statewide municipal sources do not publish an expiration date, renewal cycle, uniform amendment fee, or universal withdrawal form, so those fields remain bounded as not published rather than being inferred from one town’s practice. A filer should retain the accepted certificate and ask the same municipal clerk how to update or withdraw it when ownership, participants, location, or the operating name changes. For corporations, Maine law expressly allows termination by filing a statement that the corporation no longer intends to transact under the assumed or fictitious name and identifying the name to terminate. The current corporation and LLC forms pages list a termination statement at $20. Neither reviewed ASUM-5 page publishes a periodic renewal interval for this assumed-name filing. Do not confuse it with Maine’s separately listed registration or reservation of name products, which have different fees and lifecycle language. The safe calendar is tied to the actual accepted record and later changes, not an invented annual or five-year deadline.
If you are operating your business as a sole proprietor, under a trade name, or as a general partnership you are required by Maine law to file with the municipal clerk where your business is located
If you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
Whenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by him
Whenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by them
Prior to transacting business in this State under an assumed or fictitious name, a limited liability company shall execute and deliver to the office of the Secretary of State for filing a statement
ASUM-5 Statement of Intention to do Business under an Assumed Name Domestic or Foreign Entities $125.00
Termination of Statement of Intention to Transact Business under an Assumed or Fictitious Name $20.00
Publication and notice
Publication could not be confirmed for all covered entity types. No requirement or exemption is asserted.
Next steps: self-file first
Identify whether the filer is a sole proprietor, general partnership, LLC, corporation, or another formed entity. Sole proprietors and general partnerships should locate the clerk for the municipality where the business operates, obtain the current sworn certificate, and confirm that clerk’s fee and delivery process before signing. LLCs and corporations should use the relevant Secretary of State forms page, download the current ASUM-5, and follow its printed mailing and payment instructions. Other formed entities should use the Division of Corporations route described in the official trade-name guidance and select the matching entity form. Keep the acceptance record and use the official termination action when the state-filed assumed name is no longer used. No newspaper notice is asserted from the reviewed sources. Paid filing services are neither linked nor recommended.
If you are operating your business as a sole proprietor, under a trade name, or as a general partnership you are required by Maine law to file with the municipal clerk where your business is located
If you have already incorporated or have formed a limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability company, but wish to utilize a different name in the conduct of your business or activities, you may either file a change of name to make it permanent or adopt an assumed name (or d/b/a) by filing an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
Whenever any person intends to engage in such business as sole proprietor thereof, and to adopt any business name, style or designation other than his own name exclusively, he shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which such business is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by him
Whenever 2 or more persons become associated as partners or otherwise for the purpose of engaging in any mercantile enterprise, they shall, before commencing business, deposit in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the same is to be carried on a certificate signed and sworn to by them
Prior to transacting business in this State under an assumed or fictitious name, a limited liability company shall execute and deliver to the office of the Secretary of State for filing a statement