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How to start an LLC in Maryland: checklist (2026)

To start an LLC in Maryland, file the Articles of Organization with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) for $100, name a registered agent, get a free EIN and check your local licenses. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, does the filing, the agent, the EIN application and the report for $199 a year.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Maryland checklist

  1. File the formation document. Articles of Organization, State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), $100.
  2. Name a registered agent. Required. A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC or limited partnership.
  3. Get an EIN. Free from the IRS online.
  4. Check licenses. Comptroller of Maryland says: “determine if you are required to register for any of the following business licenses” (depends on the business).
  5. Keep it current. Business Entity Annual Report, yearly: $300, due april 15.
Best overall in Maryland

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year, same at renewal

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Maryland?

The state filing fee is $100 for the Articles of Organization. The first Business Entity Annual Report later costs $300.

Do I need a registered agent in Maryland?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Do I need a business license in Maryland?

Comptroller of Maryland says: “determine if you are required to register for any of the following business licenses” (depends on the business).

Sources