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Types of Businesses

Types of Business Entities in Maine 

The Department of the Secretary of State through the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions, serves as the registry for all corporate filings in Maine. We develop the appropriate forms required to form a business entity, file all business entity documents as required by law and provide information to the public on a business' status, directors, officers, members, managers, partners and business purpose.

How to Determine Your Nonprofit Type

A Public Benefit Corporation

  • Is designated as a public benefit corporation by statute; or
  • Is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
  • Is organized for a public or charitable purpose and is required to distribute assets to a similar tax exempt organization upon dissolution; or
  • Has elected to be a public benefit corporation.

Generally, if your corporation's mission is to serve the public or community at large, it is probably a public benefit corporation.

General Partnerships

New Location: The Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions has relocated to the Ballard Center (formerly the Maine General Medical Center) at 6 E Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Augusta, Maine 04330. For any questions, call 207-624-7752.

We are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Customer service telephone hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

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