Register Your Business

Basic State Registration Requirements

To legally register your business in Maryland, you need to know the following:

• Business Location
  Your main office must be a real street address in Maryland. Use a real street address, not a P.O. Box, post office, UPS store, mailbox service, or virtual address. Not following this rule can lead to your application being rejected and extra costs to fix it later.
• Business Name
  Pick a name that no other business in Maryland is using.
• Business Type and Structure
  Different businesses have different rules for ownership and management. Decide on your business structure before you register.
• Resident Agent
  Most businesses need a resident agent. This is a person or business that can receive legal papers if your business is involved in a court case. The resident agent must either be a(n):
  • Adult citizen of Maryland
  • Maryland corporation
  • Maryland LLC
  • Maryland LP or LLLP

Note: Your business cannot act as its own resident agent.

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