Updated 2026-04-30 · Verified against Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation
The registered agent designation in Maryland is governed by Md. Code, Corps. & Ass’ns §4A-210, which applies to LLCs, corporations, and most other formal business entities. An acceptable registered agent in Maryland maintains a physical street address within the state and is available during regular business hours; post office boxes do not satisfy the statute. The agent’s name and street address are filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation and become part of the public business record.
In practice, the registered agent designation sits within a wider compliance cycle: a $100 formation filing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, an annual report at $300 annually by April 15 (Personal Property Return), and a $25 Statement of Change whenever the agent changes. Maryland is unusual in that LLC filings are handled by the Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) rather than the Secretary of State.
| # | Service | Price/yr | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | privacy-focused customers |
| 2 | ZenBusiness | $199 | new businesses bundling formation |
| 3 | LegalZoom | $249 | customers wanting brand-name support |
| 4 | Mainstay Filing | $99 | balanced value |
Maryland-specific option: Maryland Registered Agent.co operates exclusively in Maryland and specializes in same-state filings. Best for businesses that want a state-focused provider with local-only operations.
| Physical address required | Yes — must be a street address in Maryland |
|---|---|
| P.O. box allowed | No |
| Business hours availability | Required during normal business hours |
| Resident requirement | Must be a Maryland resident OR a business entity authorized to do business in Maryland |
| Listed in public record | Yes — name and address are publicly searchable via Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation |
| Statute reference | Md. Code, Corps. & Ass'ns §4A-210 |
| Filing Type | Fee | Renewal | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation (Articles of Organization) | $100 | annually by April 15 (Personal Property Return) | $300 |
| DBA / Fictitious Name | $25 | Every 5 years | $25 |
| Registered Agent change | $25 | — | — |
| Annual Report | $300 | annually by April 15 (Personal Property Return) | $300 |
Yes — if you are a Maryland resident with a physical street address and are available during business hours.
Yes. Maryland law requires every LLC to maintain a Maryland-based registered agent regardless of where the owner lives.
The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation can administratively dissolve your business after approximately 60 days of non-compliance.
Yes — file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation for $25.
$50–$150 per year for commercial services; free if you self-serve.
Yes. The agent's name and address are searchable via the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation business records.
Same-day with most commercial services; same-business-day filing if submitted online before the daily cutoff.
This page provides general information about Maryland registered agent requirements, not legal advice. Filing fees and procedures may change; verify current details with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation before filing. We may receive compensation from services listed in our comparisons; this does not influence our editorial selections.