Maryland Business Entity Search

A Maryland business entity search is done on the Business Entity Search inside Maryland Business Express, the online system run by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). In Maryland the Secretary of State does not keep company records. SDAT does. So when people search for a "Maryland secretary of state business search" or a "Maryland SOS business search", the tool they actually need is the SDAT one. It is free to use and needs no account.

Use it to look up a company, confirm its legal name, see if it is in good standing, find its resident agent or check whether a name you like is already taken.

How to search Maryland business records step by step

1. Open the Maryland Business Express Business Entity Search.
2. Type part of the business name. Leave out endings like LLC or Inc. on the first try so you see close matches too.
3. If you already know the Department ID, search by that instead. This is the number SDAT gives every entity. It is a letter followed by digits, for example a W or D followed by eight numbers.
4. Click the entity name in the results list to open its detail page.
5. Review the status, the date it was formed, the resident agent, the principal office and the list of filed documents.

Short searches work best. If "Smith Brothers Home Repair LLC" gets nothing, try "Smith Brothers" alone.

What the results mean

The detail page shows two things that people often mix up: status and standing.

• Active means the entity exists on the state record.
• Good standing means it is current on its annual report and its state obligations.
• Not in good standing usually means an annual report or required filing is late. The entity still exists but has a problem to fix.
• Forfeited means SDAT took away the right to do business, most often after missed annual reports. The owners lose liability protection while it stays forfeited.
• Revived, merged or dissolved show that the entity was brought back, absorbed into another one or closed.

You can open many filed documents from the record, such as the original Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation.

Checking if a business name is available

Run the entity search on the exact name and on short versions of it. If a live entity already uses the same or a very similar name, SDAT will likely refuse yours. Remember that "Company", "LLC" and punctuation do not make a name different enough.

If you want to hold a name before you file, Maryland lets you reserve it. The state fee is $25, plus an optional expedite fee, per the SDAT fee schedule. Need ideas first? Try our business name generator.

Ordering a certificate of good standing

Maryland calls this a Certificate of Status. You order it from the same entity record in Maryland Business Express. Find the business, open the order documents option and pick the certificate. The state lists copies and certificates at $20 each, plus a $20 expedite charge for online orders, and the online payment system adds a small convenience fee. Delivery is by email. Certified copies of charter documents can be ordered the same way.

A certificate only shows good standing if the entity really is in good standing. If annual reports are missing, file them first, then order.

Forming an LLC in Maryland

1. Pick a name and confirm it is free with the entity search.
2. Name a resident agent with a Maryland street address.
3. File Articles of Organization with SDAT, online through Maryland Business Express or on paper. The state filing fee is $100. Expedited review costs extra.
4. Write an operating agreement. Maryland does not collect it, but your bank and partners will want one.
5. Get an EIN from the IRS and register for state taxes if you will have employees or sell taxable goods.

After that, every Maryland LLC must file an Annual Report with SDAT by April 15 each year. For most LLCs the filing fee is $300, and the same filing covers the business personal property return. A no cost 60 day extension can be requested if you ask before the deadline. Late reports pile up penalties and can lead to forfeiture.

For the full startup checklist, see how to start a business, and map your first year with our business plan template.

Common problems and fixes

The business does not show up

Try fewer words, drop the ending, and check spelling. The public may know the business by a trade name. Maryland trade names are also registered with SDAT, so search the trade name too. A business may also be formed in another state and only registered here as a foreign entity.

The status says forfeited

The owners usually need to file all missing annual reports, pay what is due and file to revive or reinstate the entity with SDAT. Until that is done, the entity cannot rely on its Maryland charter.

The resident agent is out of date

The agent listed is the one on file. If it changed, the entity must file a resident agent change with SDAT.

Looking at a nearby state? See the Delaware business entity search, the Virginia business entity search or the full business entity search by state list.