LLC Registration Maryland: Cost, Steps & Requirements (2026)

LLC registration Maryland starts with filing Articles of Organization with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), and you do not need to be a US citizen or resident to do it. If you are a founder, freelancer or agency owner outside the US, this guide walks you through the full process, the costs, the yearly report, and the mistakes to avoid. If you are still at the planning stage, our guide on how to start a US LLC step by step gives you the bigger picture first.

Why Choose LLC Registration in Maryland?

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) separates your personal assets from your business liabilities and gives you a credible US business presence. Maryland can be a good fit if you:

• Have customers, partners, staff, inventory or property in Maryland, for example in Baltimore or near Washington, D.C.
• Work in industries like real estate, government contracting, healthcare, biotech or logistics
• Need a Maryland business address because you operate there

Maryland also has one of the higher yearly costs among US states, because every LLC pays a $300 annual report fee. If you have no real connection to Maryland and only want a US company for online business, compare it with Wyoming or Delaware first. Our breakdown of the best state to form an LLC can help you decide.

Can Non-US Residents Register an LLC in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland does not require members or managers to be US citizens or residents, and you do not need a Social Security Number to form the LLC. You can complete the whole process remotely, as explained in our guide on starting a US company without visiting the US. The main local requirement is a resident agent, which is Maryland's term for a registered agent.

LLC Registration Maryland Requirements

Before you file, make sure you have:

1. A compliant business name. It must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable from other businesses on SDAT's records.
2. A resident agent in Maryland. This is a Maryland resident or an entity with a Maryland address who agrees to receive legal documents and official mail for your LLC.
3. Articles of Organization. This is the document that officially creates your LLC.
4. The state filing fee. See the costs section below.

For a broader view of what every state expects, read our overview of US business registration requirements.

How to Complete LLC Registration in Maryland: Step by Step

Step 1: Choose and Check Your LLC Name

Use SDAT's business entity search to confirm your name is available. A name that is too similar to an existing business can delay or reject your filing.

Step 2: Appoint a Maryland Resident Agent

As a non-US founder, you will not have a Maryland address, so most founders hire a professional resident agent service. The agent's name and Maryland address appear on your Articles of Organization. Our guide to the LLC registered agent explains what these services do and how to choose one.

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

You file with SDAT, not with the Secretary of State, through the Maryland Business Express portal. The base fee is $100. Once SDAT approves the filing, your LLC officially exists, and online filers receive a stamped copy by email.

Online filing can add an expedite fee of about $50 and a small processing charge, so check the total at checkout before you pay. Same-day counter service costs far more, and standard online filing is fine for most founders.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

Maryland does not require you to file an operating agreement with the state, but you should still have one. It sets out ownership, decision-making and profit sharing, and banks often ask to see it. This is especially important for a single-member LLC, because it supports the separation between you and your company.

Step 5: Get Your EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your company's federal tax ID. You need it to open a US bank account and handle US tax filings. Non-US founders can apply without an SSN using IRS Form SS-4. Our guide on how to get an EIN without an SSN covers the full process, and you can read whether you can get an EIN without an SSN if you have questions about eligibility.

Step 6: Open a US Business Bank Account

With your Articles of Organization, EIN and operating agreement, you can apply for a US business bank account. See our comparison of the best bank accounts for non-US founders to find an option that works for non-resident owners.

Step 7: Check Local Licenses

Depending on your activity, you may also need local or county licenses, such as a trader's license, or other permits for your industry. Check the rules where you will operate.

How Much Does LLC Registration Maryland Cost?

• Articles of Organization: $100 (one-time)
• Online expedite and processing charges: about $50 plus a small processing charge may apply, so confirm the total at checkout
• Annual report: $300 every year
• Resident agent: varies by provider, usually an annual fee
• Operating agreement: no state fee, since it is not filed with the state

Always confirm current fees on the SDAT website before you file, as fees can change.

Maryland Annual Report and the $300 Fee

This is the biggest ongoing cost of a Maryland LLC. Every Maryland LLC must file an Annual Report on SDAT's Form 1, which also works as the Business Personal Property Return. The fee is a flat $300, and it is due by April 15 each year, even if your LLC earned nothing and owns no property.

Your first report is due on April 15 of the year after your LLC is formed. For example, an LLC formed in 2026 files its first report by April 15, 2027. SDAT offers a no-cost extension to June 15 if you request it online by April 15.

If your LLC owns, leases or uses business personal property in Maryland, county property tax may also apply, and that is separate from the $300 report fee. Missing the report can put your LLC's right to do business in Maryland at risk, so put the date in your calendar as soon as your LLC is approved.

Can You Reduce the $300 Fee?

Maryland waives the $300 annual report fee for businesses that join the state's MarylandSaves retirement savings program or earn an approved exemption from it. Whether your LLC qualifies depends on your situation, for example whether you have employees, so check with MarylandSaves and SDAT before you count on the waiver.

Maryland Taxes

An LLC is generally taxed as a pass-through entity, so profits flow to the owners, and Maryland may tax income from Maryland sources. Rules such as nonresident withholding and the pass-through entity tax election can also affect LLCs with owners outside Maryland. Whether and how much you owe depends on your situation, so confirm the rules with the Maryland Comptroller or a qualified tax professional.

Federal Tax Obligations for Foreign-Owned LLCs

State registration is only part of the picture. A single-member LLC owned by a non-US person is generally treated as a disregarded entity for US tax purposes, and it may still have to file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 each year, even if it has no US income. Our guide to Form 5472 and 1120 for foreign-owned LLCs explains who must file and how.

Federal reporting rules have also changed several times recently, so read our latest article on BOI filing for foreign-owned US companies to confirm what applies to your company. If you are an Indian founder, our US LLC tax guide for Indian founders covers the India side as well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the $300 annual report. It is due every year, even with no income.
• Choosing Maryland without a reason. States such as Michigan have far lower yearly fees, so compare first if you have no Maryland connection.
• Using a P.O. box as the resident agent address. Maryland requires a real Maryland address.
• Skipping the operating agreement. Banks and payment platforms often ask for it.
• Missing the April 15 deadline. Request the extension in time if you need one.
• Ignoring federal filings. Form 5472 is separate from state compliance.

Get Help With Your Maryland LLC Registration

FormLLC helps non-US founders handle the whole process: LLC formation, a resident agent, EIN application, and ongoing compliance. If you would like us to handle your LLC registration in Maryland from start to finish, book a free consultation with our team today.

*FormLLC is a business formation and compliance services provider, not a law firm, and this article is general information rather than legal or tax advice.*