Maryland LLC Cost

The minimum cost of establishing an LLC in Maryland is $100, which is the fee for filing your Articles of Organization.

However, the overall cost to set up a Maryland LLC can vary depending on your specific business needs and preferences.

Our Maryland LLC Cost article provides a comprehensive breakdown of every cost involved in the formation and maintenance of an LLC in this state.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does a Maryland LLC Cost 

In the table below, we’ve outlined the key fees associated with setting up an LLC in Maryland.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$100
Registered Agent	$0-$150+
LLC Name	$0-$50

Maryland LLC Filing Fee ($100)

To officially form your LLC in Maryland, you must submit the Articles of Organization to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Regardless of whether you’re filing as a domestic or foreign entity, you need to pay $100 in order to submit your LLC formation documents to the state.

If you choose to use a professional LLC formation service, the overall cost will be slightly higher as you’ll need to pay a service fee in addition to the state filing fee. Prices for these services typically start at $29, though additional fees are often added for any extra features.

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024. 

Maryland Resident Agent ($0-$150+)

As part of your LLC formation process, you must designate a resident agent — which is just the equivalent of a registered agent in any other state. This individual or entity is responsible for handling legal documents and official communications on behalf of your LLC.

You have the option to act as your own resident agent at no cost, but many business owners prefer hiring a professional service to ensure they stay compliant with state regulations and keep their personal details private.

In general, the cost of a professional resident agent service in Maryland typically ranges from $125 to over $300 annually.

Note: Your resident agent must have a physical address in Maryland (i.e., P.O. boxes are not accepted).

Maryland LLC Name ($0-$50)

While the process of naming your Maryland LLC doesn’t incur a direct cost, there are two potential expenses to consider when completing this step.

Name Reservation

If you’ve chosen a name for your LLC but aren’t ready to file your Articles of Organization, you can keep it safe for up to 30 days by submitting a Corporate Name Reservation Application through the Maryland Business Express website.

You’ll need to include a $25 fee along with this reservation request, and can also include an additional $20 for expedited filing if you need it to be processed faster. 

Note: We always advise checking the availability of your desired LLC name through the Maryland Business Express website before reserving it.

It’s also a good idea to conduct a quick domain search in order to ensure that you will be able to have a corresponding domain (this is your website’s URL).

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you intend to operate your business under a name different from its registered LLC name, you’ll need to file for a DBA (Doing Business As) name — which is officially called a Trade Name in Maryland.

You can register your DBA online via the Maryland Business Express website or by mailing a completed Trade Name Application to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. 

The standard registration fee is $25, though you can also get expedited processing for an additional $50. Once registered, a DBA name is valid for five years, after which you’ll need to renew it ($25) in order to keep using it.

Keep in mind that DBA names cannot include entity designators (e.g., LLC, Inc, etc) unless they match the legal structure of your business.

Optional Maryland LLC Costs

In addition to the standard costs, there are some extra fees that might apply to your LLC depending on its unique circumstances.

Maryland LLC Operating Agreement

Although not legally required, drafting an operating agreement for your LLC is strongly recommended, as it can help to prevent internal conflicts in the future.

This document essentially sets out your business’s management structure, operating procedures, and the roles and responsibilities of each of its members.

You can create this document on your own for free or hire a legal service or attorney to draft it, which can be more costly due to the fees they charge.

Note: You won’t need to file your operating agreement as it is an internal document and does not need to be filed with the state.

Expedited Filing Services

Maryland offers the following expedited filing options if you need your formation documents processed faster:

• Rush Service: Online submissions made before 2:30 pm are processed within three hours, while those made after this time are ready by the next business day ($325)
• Two-Hour Review: For documents submitted in-person, this option guarantees a review is completed within two hours ($425)

Without expedited service, standard filings can take until the second calendar month after they’re received to be processed. 

Certificate of Status

A Maryland Certificate of Status, also known as a Good Standing Certificate, may be required for banking or loan purposes. 

You can request it online via the Maryland Business Express website or by mail for a $20 fee. Additionally, if you need this document more quickly, you can opt for expedited processing for an extra $20.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

You might need certified copies of your LLC formation documents for a number of reasons, such as if you’re involved in legal proceedings or you’re dealing with financial institutions.

These can be requested from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation for a fee of $20 plus $1 per page. To speed up the processing of these documents, expedited filing can also be requested for a fee of $20.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Maryland LLC

Once your LLC is formed, there are a few potential ongoing costs that you’ll need to keep in mind. 

Annual Report Fee

Every Maryland LLC must file an Annual Report online with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to maintain its good standing. 

The fee for this report is $300, and it must be filed by April 15 each year.

Be aware that if you fail to submit the report on time, it can result in penalties such as the forfeiture of your LLC’s right to conduct business in Maryland.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to use a professional registered agent to handle your legal documents, you’ll need to pay an annual fee for their services. 

The cost of this service varies — typically ranging between $125 and $300 per year — depending on the provider and the features you select. While not mandatory, using a professional registered agent service is often recommended for small business owners as it offers increased privacy and flexibility. 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC Maryland Guide (DIY Approach)

Let Northwest Registered Agent handle it for you ($29 + State Fees) 

Maryland LLC vs Other States

Maryland is arguably on the more expensive side when it comes to LLC formation, especially as a result of its $300 annual report filing fee. 

Regardless, it’s important to note that the best state to form your LLC in will generally be where you plan to conduct most of your business from. 

This is because otherwise you will likely need to comply with more than one state’s regulations — paying registration and maintenance fees twice.