Starting a business in The Pine Tree State is complicated enough. Getting your ready-to-file Statement of Intention to Conduct Business (often called a DBA or "Doing Business As") shouldn't involve hours of forms and guesswork.
At assumedname.org, we eliminate the complex paperwork by providing Maine Sole Proprietors with the certificate, accurately pre-filled with the precise information your local Municipal Clerk needs. Whether you are from Portland, South Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, or somewhere else in Maine, the Assumed Name Certificate will work in the city or town you are doing business in. Your accurate paperwork is ready in minutes.
If already you have an LLC or a corporation, you may have a different filing process for filing an assumed name at the state level. AssumedName.org focuses on helping Sole Proprietorships with local business name filings.
Our streamlined service is designed for the modern Maine entrepreneur seeking speed, convenience, and guaranteed accuracy:
⚡️ Lightning Fast Preparation: Complete our simple online questionnaire and receive your complete, accurate Maine DBA form ready-to-file in minutes.
✅ Guaranteed Accuracy for $5: For a low, one-time fee of only $5, we ensure the information on your certificate exactly reflects the details required by your county.
🛡️ Focus on Core Business: We handle the paperwork preparation so you can immediately focus on the next steps, like setting up your professional Maine business bank account.
❓ Still have questions? Find out what a DBA is, why most states require them, and if you need one for your business.
🖹 A custom formatted PDF: Prefilled with your information making it fast and easy for your government office to file and satisfy your jurisdictions business name requirements. You will have the opportunity to view & download your certificate plus it will be emailed to you.
🚐 Less driving around to get the right form: Save time, gas money, and parking fees going from place to place.
😕 Less confusion: We have done the research and identified the right information to put on the right form for Maine Sole Proprietors so you don't have to. No matter if you are doing business in Cumberland, Androscoggin, Penobscot, or any other county in Maine, the information on your certificate will be accurate.
💲A low one-time charge: We charge $5 plus processing fees to complete your order. We use Stripe as our payment processor so you know it's secure and you can pay with many different types of credit cards or digital wallets like apple pay.
A Maine sole proprietor must register a trade name (DBA) when using any business name that does not include their full legal name. This applies before operating under that name in places like Portland.
Trade names for sole proprietors in Maine are filed with the municipal clerk where the business operates, rather than with a statewide agency.
Many Maine municipalities register trade names for a set period, often around five years, and require renewal to keep the name current. Check with your local clerk for exact terms.
No. Registering a trade name with a local clerk in Maine does not give you statewide exclusive rights or trademark protection. It is a local registration and compliance tool.
Steps:
Contact the city or town clerk where you intend to operate, such as the clerk’s office in Bangor.
Ask how to review the municipality’s business name or trade name records.
Search for your desired trade name and similar variants.
Check whether another business is already using a similar name that could cause confusion.
Note the results and adjust your trade name if necessary.
Documents Required:
None
Estimated Time:
10–15 minutes
Steps:
Confirm with the clerk that your proposed trade name is not already in use locally.
Gather your legal name, residence address, trade name, and business address.
Create your trade name or business name certificate and follow any local notarization requirements.
File the form in person or by mail with the city or town clerk and pay the applicable fee.
Keep the receipt or certificate for your records and begin using the trade name in your business.
Documents Required:
AssumedName.org Trade Name Certificate
Government-issued ID (especially if notarization is required)
Filing fee payment
Estimated Time:
Preparation: 15–20 minutes
Local processing: same day to a few business days
What does the law say:
The relevant state law for assumed names / DBAs is:
Steps:
Register your trade name with the city or town clerk and obtain proof of registration.
Consider obtaining an EIN from the IRS if your bank requests it; many banks in Maine prefer an EIN for business accounts.
Collect your trade name registration certificate, EIN letter (if applicable), personal ID, and proof of business address.
Contact or visit a local bank and ask about business accounts for sole proprietors using a DBA or trade name.
Submit your documentation and complete the application; most banks approve accounts within 1–2 hours.
Documents Required:
Trade name certificate
EIN (optional but recommended)
Government-issued ID
Proof of business address
Estimated Time:
Preparation: 20–30 minutes
Bank approval: 1–2 hours