Last Updated on February 5, 2022
Under the Limited Liability Company Act, Title 4A, LLCs may conduct activities related to any lawful business (with the exception of acting as an insurer), purpose, investment, or activity, whether as a for-profit business or a not-for-profit entity.
The steps for filing a domestic online or by mail are largely the same. The screenshots show filing online.
Businesses offering a professional service can form a Professional Limited Liability Company (also referred to as a Professional LLC or PLLC), but are not required to do so. Some examples of professional services include attorneys, accountants, attorneys, psychologists, real estate brokers, veterinarians, and more. The filing process is very similar.
To get started, register with the Secretary of State’s Maryland Business Express website. Alternatively, you can download the Articles of Organization and file by mail.
Quick Links
Step 1: Create a New Business Filing
To start with the LLC formation process, after registering for an account, go to “Click Here to Create a New Business Filing” on the home page.
Step 2: Select the Business Type
Select the type of business entity you wish to form. In this case, select “Limited Liability Company.”
Step 3: Filing Options
On the next screen, you are asked if you prefer to upload your own documents or use the online forms. Most LLCs will choose “I will use the online forms.”
Step 4: Name the LLC
Enter the name you want for the LLC. This will start a Maryland LLC name search to see if the name is available. The name of the LLC also has to be different from other entities registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
The name of the LLC must also include one of the following phrase or abbreviations at the end of the business name:
-
- Limited Liability Company
- L.L.C.
- LLC
- L.C.
- L C
Step 5: Business Information
Business Address
In this section, enter the street address, city, state, county, and zip code of the initial principal office. This address can be the LLC’s physical address, or it can be the address where the business records are stored. This may not be a PO Box. If there is a mailing address that is different from the Maryland business address, click on the box and enter that address.
Contact Information
Enter the email address and phone number of the main contact should the Secretary of State have questions about filing the LLC.
Description of Business
This is an optional section but is asking for a brief description of what the business does. One to two sentences will be sufficient.
Step 6: Resident Agent
To form an LLC, a Resident Agent in Maryland (called a Registered Agent in many states)will need to be identified. The Resident Agent can either be a resident of Maryland (select “Individual” under “Registered Agent is”) or a registered agent service (select either “Maryland Corporation” or “Maryland LLC” under “Registered Agent is”). The Resident Agent must have a physical address in the state to act as a point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc. on behalf of the LLC. A PO Box won’t be accepted.
Step 7: Contact Information
If you want to add another person to receive contact information from the Secretary of State (usually an accountant or attorney), enter their contact information and return address in this section. If there isn’t a person, skip and hit the “Continue” button.
Step 8: Review
Review that the information is correct. When ready, click on “Proceed to Certification.”
Step 9: Sign and Certify
Authorized Persons – The signature of an authorized person such as a member, attorney, etc. will be needed on the Articles of Organization. At least one person must sign.
Resident Agent Certification – Click on the box to certify the Resident Agent agrees to be the Resident Agent for the LLC.
Filing Party – Enter the name and address of the person filing the articles. This may be the same person as the authorized person and resident agent.
Certified Copy – Click on the check box if you want to receive a certified copy of the articles. A certified copy will cost $20 plus $1 per page.
Step 10: Pay and File
Pay and file the Articles of Organization.
If mailing the LLC form, send the Articles of Organization and payment to:
Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division
301 W. Preston Street; 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201-2395
At the time of filing, you will need to indicate if you are “opting out” of having the original filed documents returned (certified Articles of Organization and Certificate of Status). To get the original documents returned, there is an additional $20 filing fee.
If you have questions, contact the Maryland Secretary of State by phone at 410-767-1340 or email charterhelp@dat.state.md.us.