Notary Public Permit Requirements in Portland, ME

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Maine. Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax (food and lodging have different rates). Register with Maine Revenue Services online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Maine Notary Public Commission (Secretary of State)

   Maine notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State's Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions. An applicant must be at least 18, be a Maine resident or a nonresident with a business or place of employment in Maine, pass the notary public examination that forms part of the official application, and take the oath of office before a Dedimus Justice before the commission issues. Maine does not require a surety bond. The exam is based on the Secretary of State's published Course of Study; renewals are completed online through the Total Notary Solution and the signed exam and oath mailed to the Bureau.

   Official government source

   $50 application fee, payable to the Treasurer, State of Maine (no bond is required). A marriage officiant licence is issued with the commission automatically unless you opt out; obtaining one later instead costs $25.·Complete the application including the examination, appear before a Dedimus Justice for the oath, then mail the signed original to the Bureau in Augusta

   $50 application fee, payable to the Treasurer, State of Maine (no bond is required). A marriage officiant licence is issued with the commission automatically unless you opt out; obtaining one later instead costs $25.

   Complete the application including the examination, appear before a Dedimus Justice for the oath, then mail the signed original to the Bureau in Augusta

2. City of Portland Business License (specific regulated activities only)

   Portland does not require a business licence of every business. The City's Business License Administrator (207-874-8557, [email protected]) issues licences only for specific regulated categories: food service and liquor establishments, breweries and distilleries, food trucks and pushcarts, temporary events and catering, flea markets and second-hand dealers, marijuana businesses, massage therapists and establishments, taxi/livery/tour vehicles and valet parking, farmers market vendors, fire permits, scrap metal recycling and transient sellers. If your business is not in one of those categories, no City of Portland business licence is required. Where one does apply, most types need Zoning, Health, Code Enforcement, Fire, Police (SBI background check) and Treasury approvals first, and outstanding taxes or sewer fees will block issuance.

   Official government source

   $45 flat application fee (a single $45 fee even when applying for several licence types at once) and $35 a year to renew - not revenue-tiered. Sole proprietors and partnerships also file a d/b/a for $10.·Licences are annual. Allow time for the departmental approvals - zoning, health, code, fire, police background check and treasury - before the licence issues

   $45 flat application fee (a single $45 fee even when applying for several licence types at once) and $35 a year to renew - not revenue-tiered. Sole proprietors and partnerships also file a d/b/a for $10.

   Licences are annual. Allow time for the departmental approvals - zoning, health, code, fire, police background check and treasury - before the licence issues

Official Sources

• Maine Secretary of State

Related Guides