24 · jurisdiction profile

Maryland business filings, made easier to navigate.

This is the practical starting point for researching entities administered by Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division. Find the public search tool, understand the state’s filing rhythm, and plan the evidence and maintenance steps that follow.

Open official entity search ↗

Domestic LLC

Maryland domestic LLC Articles of Organization cost $100.00 standard, with a $150.00 expedited option and same-day filing listed at $425.00 online or $525.00 paper/drop-box. Standard processing is stated as 6–8 weeks and expedited as 7–14 business days. The filing must include a Maryland resident agent who is an adult resident or eligible Maryland entity, a physical office, organizer, and required LLC information.

Domestic corporation

Maryland domestic corporation Articles of Incorporation have a $100.00 base filing fee plus an organization and capitalization fee starting at $20.00, making the ordinary minimum $120.00; expedited filing starts at $170.00 and increases with authorized-share par value. The corporation must state authorized shares, incorporator, Maryland resident agent and office, and statutory purpose information.

Standard turnaround

Maryland SDAT states standard LLC formation processing at 6–8 weeks, expedited service at 7–14 business days, and same-day service at $425 online or $525 paper/drop-box. The long queue makes completeness critical; a payment receipt is not an accepted charter. Appointments are required for in-person services, while rush drop-box service follows separate instructions.

Executive overview

What this state profile helps you decide

A state registry profile has two jobs. First, it tells you where the official record lives and how to search it. Second, it gives you enough compliance context to understand what the record means after you find it.

For Maryland, the filing office is Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division. The current public-facing portal is powered or identified as Maryland Business Express / SDAT. The agency page and search engine should be treated as the final source for live forms, accepted payment methods, processing queues, and entity-specific notices.

Use this page when you need a high-level answer. Use the linked modules when you are preparing an actual filing, trying to cure a delinquency, ordering documentary evidence, or changing the statutory agent.

State filing snapshot

The numbers and obligations to surface first

Decision point	What the current profile says
Domestic formation	LLC: Maryland domestic LLC Articles of Organization cost $100.00 standard, with a $150.00 expedited option and same-day filing listed at $425.00 online or $525.00 paper/drop-box. Standard processing is stated as 6–8 weeks and expedited as 7–14 business days. The filing must include a Maryland resident agent who is an adult resident or eligible Maryland entity, a physical office, organizer, and required LLC information. Corporation: Maryland domestic corporation Articles of Incorporation have a $100.00 base filing fee plus an organization and capitalization fee starting at $20.00, making the ordinary minimum $120.00; expedited filing starts at $170.00 and increases with authorized-share par value. The corporation must state authorized shares, incorporator, Maryland resident agent and office, and statutory purpose information.
Foreign qualification	LLC: A foreign LLC registration generally carries a $100.00 base SDAT fee, with $150.00 expedited service in the current fee schedule. It must include proof of existence from the home jurisdiction, Maryland resident agent and office, entity jurisdiction and name, and any required personal-property or annual-report account information. The exact fee can vary by transaction type. Corporation: A foreign corporation's qualification/registration generally uses a $100.00 base fee and $150.00 expedited amount in the SDAT schedule, subject to the specific filing. A home-state certificate of existence, Maryland resident agent and office, authorized-share data, and a distinguishable or registered Maryland name are required.
Recurring maintenance	LLC: Maryland domestic and foreign LLCs file an Annual Report and, when applicable, a Personal Property Tax Return by April 15. SDAT's 2026 guidance allows a 60-day extension to June 15 if timely requested online. MarylandSaves can waive the annual-report fee for qualifying enrolled entities; otherwise the current charge and any personal-property filing obligations are shown by SDAT. Failure can forfeit the right to do business. Corporation: Maryland corporations file the Form 1 Annual Report by April 15, with an online extension potentially moving the deadline to June 15. The report may be paired with a Personal Property Tax Return and corporate diversity addendum where applicable. MarylandSaves fee-exemption rules may apply for qualifying businesses; otherwise use the current SDAT amount and payment screen. Foreign and domestic entities must cure past-due reports to revive or requalify.
Registered agent	A Maryland resident agent must be an adult Maryland resident, a Maryland corporation, or a Maryland LLC authorized to serve, with a physical Maryland resident office and consent to appointment. The resident-agent name and address are public. A P.O. box alone is insufficient. The agent receives process and official notices and must remain current while the entity is active or qualified.

Choose your next guide

01↗

Business lookup

A focused Maryland operating guide for business lookup.

02↗

Annual reports

A focused Maryland operating guide for annual reports.

03↗

Good standing

A focused Maryland operating guide for good standing.

04↗

Registered agent

A focused Maryland operating guide for registered agent.

Formation is the beginning, not the compliance plan

The cheapest formation route is not always the simplest operating route. Before filing, confirm the name standard, statutory agent requirements, authorized-share or member information, local licensing, tax registrations, and any professional-entity restrictions that apply to the planned activity.

After formation, calendar the first report or statement immediately. A newly created entity may have a first-year exception, an anniversary-month due date, a quarterly filing window, or a separate tax obligation. Treat the agency record, revenue department account, and local license file as related—but separate—workstreams.

How to use the official record responsibly

Save the entity ID, legal name, status, registered agent and office, formation or qualification date, and the most recent filed document. When a third party asks for “proof,” ask whether it needs a current certificate, certified charter, tax clearance, apostille, or a plain search result. Those are different documents with different evidentiary value.