As of 2026-07-23 · verified against primary sources
Maine charitable solicitation registration: requirements, fees, and deadlines
| Registration | Required |
| Agency | Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) — Charitable Solicitations Act program |
| Initial fee | $20 |
| Renewal fee | $20 |
| Renewal / report due | November 30, annually |
| Filing channel | Electronic filing available |
Who must register
Maine generally requires charitable organizations to register with the Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) — Charitable Solicitations Act program before soliciting contributions there, unless an exemption applies. Requirements attach to out-of-state charities soliciting Maine residents as well as local ones.
9 M.R.S. § 5004(1) · official source
Exemptions we check for
Likely exempt if it is an organization established for and serving bona fide religious purposes — Maine excludes these from the definition of charitable organization entirely (9 M.R.S. § 5003(1)), so the Charitable Solicitations Act does not apply and there is nothing to file.
9 M.R.S. § 5003(1) verbatim
Likely exempt if its contributions from the public do not exceed $35,000 in a calendar year and it uses no professional solicitor (9 M.R.S. § 5006(1)(D)) — self-executing (Maine repealed its exemption-claim procedure in 2014), and licensure is required within 30 days of reaching $35,000 or 35 contributors.
9 M.R.S. § 5006(1)(D) verbatim in me-nh-ri-primary-sources.md
The state, not Steadworthy, decides whether an exemption applies.
Is your charity registered in Maine? Check free.
Citations
- 9 M.R.S. § 5004(1) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- § 5004 (file 'with the director' of OPOR, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation); live OPOR page confirms the licensing duty. · source · verified 2026-07-23
- OPOR fee schedule · source · verified 2026-07-23
- OPOR fee schedule · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 9 M.R.S. § 5004 · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Maine online licensing portal per OPOR; Maine-specific application only (URS rejected). · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 9 M.R.S. § 5003(1) verbatim · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 9 M.R.S. § 5006(1)(D) verbatim in me-nh-ri-primary-sources.md · source · verified 2026-07-23
Statuses and requirements reflect public records and cited sources as of the dates shown. Informational, not legal advice.