How to Register an LLC in Maryland (2026 Filing Guide)
To register an LLC in Maryland, you file Articles of Organization with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The base filing fee is $100, but online filings through Maryland Business Express are automatically treated as expedited, bringing the online total to $150. Online processing typically takes about 7 to 10 business days; mail filings can take 4 to 8 weeks. Once approved, you will still need an EIN from the IRS and a resident agent (Maryland’s term for a registered agent) with a physical Maryland address. Maryland also requires an Annual Report combined with a Personal Property Return every year by April 15, and that filing costs $300, one of the higher ongoing fees of any state.
AnyWhereFormations handles this filing end to end for founders who would rather not manage state portals and deadlines themselves. Below is the full process if you want to understand each step, or to file it yourself.
What You Need Before You File
- A business name that is distinguishable from every other entity on record with SDAT and includes “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or an approved abbreviation
- A resident agent with a physical Maryland street address, not a P.O. box, who signs the Articles of Organization
- A physical Maryland street address for your LLC’s principal office, not a P.O. box or virtual address
- A budget that accounts for the $300 Annual Report and Personal Property Return every year, not just the one-time filing fee
- A payment method for the $100 base fee (or $150 if filing online)
Steps to Register a Maryland LLC
1. Check name availability
Search SDAT’s business entity database through Maryland Business Express to confirm your desired name is distinguishable from existing businesses on record. Maryland applies strict criteria here: differences in suffix (Inc. vs. LLC), articles like “the” or “a,” singular versus plural, or numerals versus spelled-out words do not make a name distinguishable. Words like “Bank,” “Trust,” or “Insurance Company” require prior authorization. You can reserve a name for 30 days for $25 if you are not ready to file yet, though this must be done by mail or email rather than online.
2. Appoint a resident agent
Maryland requires every LLC to maintain a resident agent with a physical Maryland street address, available during normal business hours to accept legal documents. Unlike some states, Maryland does not allow the LLC itself to serve as its own resident agent. This can be an individual Maryland resident or a commercial registered agent service, which keeps a personal address off the public record and matters most for founders who do not have a Maryland address, including international founders.
3. File the Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization online through Maryland Business Express, or by mail, in person, or via dropbox to SDAT’s Baltimore office. You will list the LLC name, business purpose, Maryland street address, and resident agent name and signature. The base fee is $100. Online filings are automatically treated as expedited for a total of $150 and are typically processed within 7 to 10 business days; standard mail processing takes 4 to 8 weeks, with a $50 expedite option available to bring that down to about 7 to 10 business days.
4. Draft an operating agreement
Maryland does not legally require an operating agreement, so without one your LLC is governed by the state’s default rules, which may not reflect what members actually agreed to. A written agreement sets your own terms for ownership, profit allocation, and decision-making, and banks typically ask for one before opening an account, even for single-member LLCs.
5. Get a federal EIN
Apply for an Employer Identification Number directly from the IRS at no cost. It becomes mandatory if your LLC has employees, elects corporate tax treatment, or has multiple members; single-member LLCs benefit from having one anyway to keep business and personal finances separate. Founders without a US Social Security Number can still get an EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax rather than through the online IRS system.
6. Register for Maryland state taxes if applicable
Register through the Comptroller of Maryland’s Combined Registration Application if your LLC sells taxable goods or services, or has employees. Maryland’s sales and use tax rate is 6 percent statewide with no local add-ons, though certain categories are taxed differently, including 9 percent on alcohol and 12 percent on cannabis. There is no fee to register for most tax accounts.
7. Open a business bank account
Keep business funds separate from personal funds to preserve your LLC’s liability protection. Banks typically ask for your Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement.
8. File your Annual Report and Personal Property Return
Maryland combines its Annual Report with a Personal Property Return, due every year by April 15 for both domestic and foreign LLCs, regardless of whether the LLC turned a profit. The fee is $300. Late filing can result in penalties ranging from $30 to $500 and can eventually put the LLC out of good standing or lead to administrative dissolution.
How Long Does Maryland LLC Approval Take?
Online filings are automatically expedited and are typically processed within 7 to 10 business days. Standard mail or in-person filings take considerably longer, generally 4 to 8 weeks. Faster same-day service is available for an additional $325 (online, before 2:30 p.m.) or $425 (in-person drop-off before 10 a.m.) if you’re working against a tight deadline.
Foreign Founders and International Applicants
Maryland does not require an LLC owner or organizer to be a US citizen or Maryland resident. International founders commonly use a commercial resident agent for the required in-state address and apply for an EIN by fax using Form SS-4 rather than the SSN-gated online IRS application. Maryland does not offer a Professional LLC (PLLC) structure or a Series LLC structure, unlike many other states, so licensed professionals typically form either a standard LLC or a professional corporation instead. AnyWhereFormations manages the resident agent and EIN setup directly for non-resident founders, and helps founders budget for the $300 Annual Report so it isn’t a surprise.
How much does it cost to register an LLC in Maryland?
The base filing fee is $100, or $150 if filing online since online filings are automatically expedited. Add the $300 Annual Report and Personal Property Return due every year by April 15.
Do I need a registered agent in Maryland?
Yes, called a resident agent in Maryland. Every LLC must maintain one with a physical Maryland street address, and the LLC itself cannot serve as its own resident agent.
Can a non-US resident form a Maryland LLC?
Yes. Maryland does not require LLC owners or organizers to be US citizens or Maryland residents. Non-residents need a resident agent with a physical Maryland address and typically apply for an EIN by fax if they do not hold a Social Security Number.
Is an operating agreement required in Maryland?
No, but without one your LLC is governed by Maryland’s default statutory rules rather than terms you and your members actually agreed to. Most owners draft one regardless, and banks often request it.
How much is the Maryland LLC Annual Report and when is it due?
$300, combined with a Personal Property Return, due every year by April 15 for both domestic and foreign LLCs regardless of profit. Late filing triggers penalties between $30 and $500.
Does Maryland allow Professional LLCs or Series LLCs?
No. Maryland does not currently recognize either structure. Licensed professionals typically form a standard LLC or a professional corporation instead.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Maryland?
Online filings are automatically expedited and generally processed within 7 to 10 business days. Mail filings take about 4 to 8 weeks.
File Your Maryland LLC With AnyWhereFormations
AnyWhereFormations prepares and files your Articles of Organization, sets up your resident agent, secures your EIN, and keeps your Annual Report on schedule so your LLC stays in good standing. This is built for founders, including those outside the US, who want the entity formed correctly the first time and a clear picture of Maryland’s ongoing costs before they commit.
