How to Start an LLC in Maryland
Starting an LLC in the Old Line state doesn’t have to be something you do alone. We’ll break down the five steps for you, from choosing a unique LLC name to maintaining your good standing on a yearly basis.
Create an MD LLC in 4 Steps:
1. Choose Your Name and Register a Domain
Securing your business identity early is a smart move, Whether you’re launching a brick-and-mortar shop in Baltimore or building a brand online. In Maryland, your LLC name must be distinguishable from other entities registered with the state and must include a designator like “LLC” or “L.L.C.” — so it’s worth spending a little extra time making sure your name is not only catchy but compliant. Once you’ve landed on the perfect name, protect it by registering a memorable domain, even before your Articles of Organization are filed.
This gives potential customers a way to find and connect with you while you handle the legal formalities with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Your domain doesn’t need to mirror your LLC name word-for-word — sometimes a shorter or more brandable version can actually build trust faster. Even if your business website isn’t live yet, you can link the domain to your professional email address or direct visitors to your social media profiles. You can also “park” the domain now and launch it when your LLC is officially approved.
Got your idea and name all ready to go? Don’t miss out — Reserve your domain name today.
2. Choose Your Maryland Resident Agent
Every Maryland LLC must appoint a resident agent — also known as a registered agent — a person or business responsible for receiving legal paperwork and official government notices on your behalf. This includes lawsuits, compliance reminders, and time-sensitive documents.
You can serve as your own registered agent in Maryland if you meet the following criteria:
- You have a physical Maryland address (not a P.O. Box) where you can reliably accept mail during regular business hours.
- You are at least 18 years old and legally reside in Maryland.
- You must provide a signature for the Resident Agent on the electronic or paper articles.
If you choose to act as your own agent, your name and address will appear in the public record via your Articles of Organization, which are available on the state website. This may not be ideal if you value privacy or work from home.
Many entrepreneurs choose to hire a commercial resident agent (like Registered Agents Inc) to fulfill this role. A commercial resident agent can act as your LLC’s Authorized Person and file formation documents on your behalf. Using their business address instead of your own can speed up the process, keep your information private, and help ensure your business stays compliant with Maryland requirements.
3. File Maryland Articles of Organization
You can launch your LLC in Maryland by submitting formation documents to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Here’s a breakdown of all three available filing methods:
Online Filings
Estimated Timeline: 7-10 business days
Filing Fee: $155
Expedited Options: (3 Hour Service) $325 extra
How to File: online via the Maryland BusinessExpress Portal
Mailed & In-Person Filings
Estimated Timeline: 6-8 weeks
Filing Fee: $100
Expedited Options: (10 Day Service) $50 extra
How to File: submit the completed paper Articles of Organization form to the address listed below by mail or in person using the drop-box in the lobby:
Department of Assessments and Taxation
301 W. Preston Street, 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201-2395
What to include in your Maryland Articles of Organization:
- LLC Name – MD § 1-502 states your business name needs to include the words “Limited Liability Company” or an approved abbreviation. Make sure your name isn’t already in use, and avoid misleading terms that might suggest your business is a government or financial institution.
- Business Purpose – This should include all the details about why you’re forming your business. Provide a brief statement that explains what you do, or go with something general that shows your company is organized to pursue lawful business activities.
- Business Address – This is your principal office address in the state of Maryland.
- Name & Address of Resident Agent – This identifies who will receive reminders, notices, filing information, and more for the new LLC. Your resident agent’s address will be the point of contact for all time-sensitive legal and statutory documents for your business.
- Resident Agent Signature – Every resident agent must accept their appointment by signing the Articles of Organization.
- Authorized Person(s) Signature – This is an authorized person who submits the Articles of Organization on behalf of the business. This person’s name and signature will appear on publicly available documents for the business registration.
If the basic form doesn’t work for your business needs, you can also use the Instructions for Drafting a Limited Liability Company (Page 2) to create your own from scratch or with the help of an attorney. This requires a little more prep work and additional fees are outlined in the instructions.
Can I file my Maryland Articles of Organization via hard copy?
Yes. You can submit a paper version of your Maryland Articles of Organization by mail or in person when those services are available.
You can mail your filing with a check or money order payable to State Department of Assessments and Taxation for $100 plus any expedite fees to:
State Department of Assessments and Taxation
Corporate Charter Division
700 East Pratt Street, 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
To file in person, visit the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation’s Charter Business Services at 123 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. You can make an appointment or use the drop-off box.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Maryland?
Non-expedited Maryland LLC filings take a minimum of two months to approve. They’re reviewed during the second calendar month after the month in which you filed them, so if you file in June, they’ll be reviewed in August.
What expedited filing options do I have when forming my Maryland LLC?
You have multiple options for expediting your Maryland Articles of Organization depending on your filing method and desired turnaround time. Always check processing times online to help you decide which expedite service is right for you. If you’re filing in person or by mail, note that expedite fees must be paid by cash, check, or money order—no credit cards!
Expedited online filing costs $50. These filings are subject to variable processing times. 3-hour rush processing is available for an additional $325 if you file before 2:30PM during regular business hours. If you file outside that window, your filing will be reviewed the next business day.
Two-hour expedite service costs an additional $425, and is available in person Monday to Friday before 10:00 AM via the rush drop-box. Limited quantities of hand-delivered documents can be processed same-day for $50 as long as you’re in line before 4:15 PM.Mailing in your Maryland Articles of Organization? $50 expedited service gets a response to your request within 7 business days.
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4. Get Your Business All Set Up in Maryland
After your Maryland LLC is officially approved, you’re ready to lay the groundwork for running your business. This step usually involves choosing a management structure or opening business bank accounts, and every action plays a role in preparing your business up for long-term success.
Get your brand new Maryland LLC ready by covering these essentials early on:
- Put together a plan. You can start small with a lean business plan or get mega detailed with a step-by-step guide to running your business. A little bit of planning goes a long way when getting started.
- Finalize the details. Take a moment to solidify your LLC management structure and figure out how your business will be run on a daily business. LLCs have flexible options for owners looking to take an active role in decision-making or step back and let an outside hire handle things.
- Snag your tax number. You’ll need an EIN to do most of the important stuff when it comes to running an LLC. This allows you to hire employees, file taxes, get registered for sales taxes, and even open a business bank account.
- Apply for a license. Most Maryland businesses will need some sort of local business permit to conduct business based on their industry. Be sure to check the Maryland OneStop Portal for details and applications categorized by professional, organizational, or personal needs.
- Open a bank account. Your LLC comes with built-in liability protections that can only be upheld by separating your business and personal transactions. Open your business bank account by shopping around for an institution that best fits your business needs with physical branches or convenient online access.
- Build your new brand. It can be tough to figure out how to market a fledgling business, but capturing the attention of potential clients starts from day one. Register your domain, build a dynamic business site with a trusted website host, and be sure to snag a business email that lends credibility to your online communications.
Is Maryland a good place to start an LLC?
Maryland is a trendy place to start an LLC, mainly because the cost of living and doing business is far below the average of nearby states. Other east cost cities give the state a boost with a wider talent pool and a potential to reach more customers across a variety of key Maryland industries.
Whether you’re developing a new finance app in Baltimore or a brick-and-mortar boutique in Salisbury, there’s tons of opportunity and infrastructure for your new business. Starting your business in the Free State is pretty cheap too, with low filing costs and an abundance of resources for startups and large scale operations alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an LLC cost in Maryland?
Filing your Maryland Articles of Organization costs $100 plus any expedite fees and a service charge of up to 3% when you file online. There may be additional license and permit fees, and there are costs associated with maintaining your Maryland LLC.
How often do you have to renew your LLC in Maryland?
Maryland LLCs must file an Annual Report for $300 plus service charges every year by April 15th. When you hire us, we’ll file the annual report for you at no extra cost (pay only the state fee).
Can I use my resident agent address as my principal office address?
That depends. Your resident agent address is the address of your Maryland resident agent. Your principal office address is the physical office location of the business in Maryland, which cannot be a P.O Box.
If you are acting as your own resident agent and work exclusively at your principal office, then these addresses will be the same. If you hire us for Registered Agent service (included when we form your LLC!), we’ll put our address for both.
What is a benefit LLC in Maryland?
Maryland benefit LLCs maintain a positive impact on the environment and society via specific public benefits. They must file an annual benefit report that includes an assessment against a third-party standard and post that report on their website.
How do I contact the Maryland Secretary of State?
If you have questions about state filings or business in general, here’s how you can contact the Maryland Secretary of State:
Phone: 410-767-1340
Fax: 410-333-7097
Email: [email protected]
Physical & Mailing address:
301 W. Preston Street, 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201-2395.