How to Apply
How to Form an LLC
1. Find a Business Name
- Business Search: egov.maryland.gov
Use the Maryland Business Express’ business entity search engine to check whether your desired business name is already in use. If it is available, the following message will appear after you click search: “The business name you entered was not found. Please try your search again.”
The name of your business must end with the words “limited liability company” or abbreviation “L.L.C.” or “L.C.”[1]
3. Register the LLC
There are two ways to apply for the registration of your LLC: online or by mail.
Option 1: File Online
Go to egov.maryland.gov to access the state’s online filing system.
To create a user account, enter your name, email address, and phone number. Once your account is created, log onto your dashboard.
Click on “Start a New Filing” and select “Register a New Business” in the dropdown menu.
Choose “Maryland Limited Liability Company” to register a domestic LLC and “Foreign Limited Liability Company” to register an out-of-state business.
Enter your unique business name and select your preferred format for the required “limited liability company” suffix.
Enter an address for your principal place of business. In the sections below, provide your contact information and whether your LLC will require a business or industry license to operate.
Indicate whether your resident agent is an individual or a corporation. Enter the agent’s name, contact information, and address.
After reviewing a summary of your application and ensuring that all information is correct, sign your name in the provided field. At the bottom of the page, indicate whether you want a certified copy of the certification for an additional $20.
Review the itemized breakdown of your order. Select between rush processing, expedited processing, or non-expedited processing. Make your payment on the next page.
Option 2: File By Mail
Complete the appropriate form and send the document to the provided address with an enclosed payment.
Articles of Organization (Domestic Limited Liability Company) – For in-state entities
Filing fee: $100 check or money order made payable to the State Department of Assessments
Mailing address: Charter Division
301 W. Preston Street, Room 801
Baltimore, MD 21201-2395
Limited Liability Company Registration for Non-Maryland Limited Liability Company – For out-of-state entities
Filing fee: $100 check or money order made payable to the State Department of Assessments
Mailing address: Charter Division
301 W. Preston Street, Room 801
Baltimore, MD 21201-2395
4. Obtain an EIN
- Apply Online: www.irs.gov
- Apply by Fax/Mail: Form SS-4
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS in order to begin operating your business.
5. Write an Operating Agreement
While operating agreements are not legally required in Maryland, it is still recommended that one be created to help facilitate the business’s internal operations.
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
6. Choose a Tax Classification
Below are the most common types of LLC tax classification:
- LLC – As an LLC, a sole proprietorship or partnership is considered a “pass-through entity,” which means all profits are taxed as income for the members/owners.
- S-Corporation – All business profits and losses are sent to the shareholders, who must pay income tax. To file as an S-corp, an LLC must file IRS Form 2553 within 75 days of formation.
- C-Corporation – All business profits and losses are filed as a separate corporate entity. To file as a C-corp, an LLC must file IRS Form 8832 within 75 days of formation.