Maine Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Maine's official Secretary of State business entity database (Maine Secretary of State ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) (apps3.web.maine.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Maine. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Maine Business Database
Direct link to Maine Secretary of State ICRS - Free Maine business search
How to Search Maine Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Maine ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) Website
Navigate to the official Maine Secretary of State ICRS portal at apps3.web.maine.gov/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS?MainPage=x or apps3.web.maine.gov/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS. You can also access it through informe.org/portal/business/corporate.html or maine.gov/sos/corporations-commissions/corporations-business-services. These are the free, government-operated databases for all Maine business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common) or by charter number. The business name search allows partial matches and is the most frequently used method for finding Maine businesses. You can also search by filing type or use advanced search options to filter results.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Maine's search is case-insensitive. Be aware that names must be distinguishable from existing entities, and certain designations like 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' are required for LLCs.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the legal name, charter number, filing type, entity type, and status. Click on a result to view detailed information. Maine's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully to find the correct entity.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows charter number, legal name, entity type, filing type, status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), formation date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching.
Step 6: Verify Business Status
Check that the business status is 'Active' or shows 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Inactive', 'Dissolved', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Active status indicates the business is current with all required filings. Maine requires annual reports for most business entities.
Official Maine Business Database
The Maine Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Maine Secretary of State ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) (apps3.web.maine.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Maine.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations, Professional corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign), Professional LLCs
- • Partnerships: General partnerships, Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Maine
- • Professional Entities: Professional corporations and professional LLCs
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Maine?
To search for a Maine business, visit the official Maine Secretary of State ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) portal at apps3.web.maine.gov/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS?MainPage=x or apps3.web.maine.gov/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS. You can also access it through informe.org/portal/business/corporate.html or maine.gov/sos/corporations-commissions/corporations-business-services. You can search by business name or charter number. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Maine.
What is the official Maine Secretary of State business search website?
The official Maine business entity search portal is the ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System), available at apps3.web.maine.gov/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS?MainPage=x or apps3.web.maine.gov/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS. You can also access it through informe.org/portal/business/corporate.html or maine.gov/sos/corporations-commissions/corporations-business-services. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Maine, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Maine ICRS database?
The Maine ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) database provides charter number, legal name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), filing type, status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), formation date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images for viewing filed documents.
Is the Maine business search free?
Yes, the Maine Secretary of State ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) is completely free. The official search portals (apps3.web.maine.gov and informe.org) provide free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free to use.
How do I verify a Maine business is legitimate?
To verify a Maine business, search the ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) database for the business name, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the registered agent and address match what you expect, review recent filing history including annual reports, check the charter number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Maine Secretary of State database for verification.
Can I search Maine businesses by owner name?
The Maine ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) database primarily searches by business name or charter number. To find businesses by owner name, you may need to search by the business name if the owner is listed as an officer or director in the entity details. The registered agent information in the detailed entity view may also help identify business owners.
What types of business entities are registered in Maine?
Maine registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), partnerships (General, Limited, Limited Liability), professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Maine. All of these can be searched through the official Maine ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) database.
How do I check if a business name is available in Maine?
To check if a business name is available in Maine, use the official Maine ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) at apps3.web.maine.gov/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS?MainPage=x or informe.org/portal/business/corporate.html. Search for the exact name you want to use. If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names (names must be distinguishable from existing entities) and consult with the Maine Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing. Note that LLCs must include 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' in the name.
Does Maine require annual reports?
Yes, Maine requires annual reports for most business entities including corporations and LLCs. These reports must be filed with the Maine Secretary of State to maintain active status. Failure to file annual reports can result in the business being marked as 'Inactive' or 'Dissolved'. Check the entity's filing history in the business search database to verify current compliance.
What is a charter number in Maine?
A charter number in Maine is a unique identifier assigned to each business entity when it is registered with the Maine Secretary of State. You can use this charter number to search for a specific business entity in the Maine ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) database. The charter number appears in search results and detailed entity information.
What is ICRS in Maine?
ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) is the Maine Secretary of State's online portal for searching and accessing business entity information. It provides free access to search for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Maine. ICRS allows users to search by business name or charter number and view detailed entity information including status, registered agent, and filing history.
What are Maine's business naming requirements?
Maine requires that business names be distinguishable from existing entities. LLCs must include 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' in the name. Certain terms are prohibited, and names cannot be misleading. When checking name availability, you should search for similar names as well as exact matches, as names must be distinguishable. Always confirm name availability with the Maine Secretary of State before filing.
About Maine Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Maine SOS Business Search?
The Maine Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Maine. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in ME.
When you search "secretary of state me business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Maine businesses.
What Information Can You Find?
- •Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- •Registration date and current status
- •Registered agent information
- •Principal office address
- •Officers and directors (for corporations)
- •Annual report filing status
Why Use the Official Maine SOS Database?
The official Maine Secretary of State database (Maine Secretary of State ICRS (Interactive Corporate Records System) (apps3.web.maine.gov)) is the most reliable source for business entity information. It's free, updated in real-time, and provides authoritative data directly from the state government. Unlike third-party services that may charge fees or have outdated information, the official database ensures you're getting accurate, current business entity data for Maine. Always verify business entities through the official ME SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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