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LLC 101 Guide

Unit 3 · Maryland

Foreign LLC Registration in Maryland (2026): 5 Tasks and the 3 Best Services

For registering an out-of-state LLC in Maryland in 2026, this unit puts Mainstay Filing ($199), MD Registered Agent.org ($199) and Maryland Registered Agent.co ($199) at the top of the class, in that order. Maryland charges $100 for foreign registration, and the 5 tasks below explain how it works.

Prepared by the LLC 101 Guide instructors

Read this first

Registration fee
$100
Look it up at mgaleg.maryland.gov; our reading dates from October 2026
Certificate you must attach
60 days
Age limit
Maintenance filing
$300
Business Entity Annual Report and Personal Property Return, Form 1
Three years of state fees
$700
Registration and reports
Task count
5
Each one explained

Course objectives

  • Whether Maryland registration applies to your LLC
  • The official form and fee
  • What staying registered costs
  • The services at the top of the class

The Maryland honor roll

Five weighted criteria set the order (see how we grade), and three-year cost and assignments completed count most.

Top of the class

1. Mainstay Filing: best for several registrations

Top of the class$199 plus fees; renewal $149 yearly

Start the list with Mainstay Filing, because a $199 service fee plus Maryland's fee, then $149 a year for the agent.

You pay $100 more over three years than at MD Registered Agent.org and leave less of the paperwork to yourself.

After the free first year, the agent costs $149 a year in any state.

What the price covers

  • The registration filing
  • The same price in each state

What works

  • Ready for the next state too
  • $199 plus the state fee

What to weigh

  • Renewal $50 above MD Registered Agent.org
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Top of the class

2. MD Registered Agent.org: best for one extra state

Focused on Maryland$199 plus fees; renewal $99 yearly

Pick number 2 is MD Registered Agent.org, where the Maryland registration is filed for $199 and includes a year of agent service, with renewal at $99.

What the price covers

  • The Maryland registration, prepared and sent
  • One year of agent service is part of the price

What works

  • No agent fee in year one
  • $199 and the state fee
  • $99 a year for the agent after that

What to weigh

  • The home state needs a different agent
Visit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Top of the class

3. Maryland Registered Agent.co: best for another Maryland choice

Focused on Maryland$199 plus fees; renewal $99 yearly

Pick number 3 is Maryland Registered Agent.co, where the Maryland registration is filed for $199 and includes a year of agent service, with renewal at $99.

It lists the same prices as MD Registered Agent.org.

What the price covers

  • The Maryland registration, prepared and sent
  • One year of agent service is part of the price

What works

  • $199 and the state fee
  • $99 a year for the agent after that
  • No agent fee in year one

What to weigh

  • The home state needs a different agent
Visit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

All the prices in one table

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2MD Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Maryland Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Taken from each company's price page on November 13, 2026. The $100 state fee is left out of the figures.

The unit, task by task

  1. Task 1

    Is Maryland registration needed?

    An LLC formed in another state has to register in Maryland before it does business there. The cost of not registering: If you may need to sue, register first (4A-1007(a)). The agreements are not voided (4A-1007(b)).

    Source: Look it up at mgaleg.maryland.gov; our reading dates from October 2026

  2. Task 2

    Request the certificate your home state issues

    Maryland asks for written proof of existence from the home state, equivalent to a certificate of good standing, issued inside 60 days.

    Order it at the end so it is fresh when you file.

  3. Task 3

    Arrange a Maryland resident agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a Maryland address on file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; P.O. boxes are not accepted. The LLC also keeps a principal office in Maryland.

    Any of the recommended services can fill this seat.

    Source: Look it up at mgaleg.maryland.gov; our reading dates from October 2026

  4. Task 4

    Prepare and sign the Limited Liability Company Registration (For non-Maryland Limited Liability Company)

    To register, send the Limited Liability Company Registration (For non-Maryland Limited Liability Company) to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division with $100.

    Source: Look it up at mgaleg.maryland.gov; our reading dates from October 2026

  5. Task 5

    What comes after

    After registering, a foreign LLC files the Business Entity Annual Report and Personal Property Return, Form 1 ($300), April 15.

What each task costs in Maryland

What forPayeeSum
Registration feeState office$100
Business Entity Annual Report and Personal Property Return, Form 1State office$300
Service, if you hire oneService$199 in the first year
State fees for the first three yearsState office$700
The state numbers are official Maryland fees, sourced below. The three-year line combines the filing fee, the reports in years two and three and any minimum tax.

Why Mainstay Filing is first

pulled ahead of on assignments the price completes, a criterion worth 31%.

Your LLC was formed in one state and works in another, so a provider that serves both scored highest.

Check your Maryland answers

What will foreign registration in Maryland cost?

$100 for the filing. Put $199 on top if you hire a service.

Which form do I file to register?

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division receives this form from foreign LLCs.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: written proof of existence from the home state, equivalent to a certificate of good standing, issued within 60 days of filing.

What if the LLC does business there without registering?

If you may need to sue, register first (4A-1007(a)). The agreements are not voided (4A-1007(b)).

What is due after registering?

After you register, the LLC has to file the Business Entity Annual Report and Personal Property Return, Form 1, and each filing costs $300.

Which service should handle the registration?

Mainstay Filing is first, MD Registered Agent.org and Maryland Registered Agent.co follow, and Mainstay Filing wins on assignments the price completes.

Reading list and sources

  1. Everything about Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation above traces to dat.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026.
  2. Everything about Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation above traces to dat.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026.
  3. Everything about Maryland report due date above traces to dat.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026.
  4. Everything about Md above traces to mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026.
  5. Everything about Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source above traces to mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026.
  6. Everything about Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source above traces to egov.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026.
  7. Everything about Maryland registered agent statute above traces to mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026.
  8. Everything about Maryland Business Express above traces to egov.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026.
  9. Everything about Corporations and Associations § 4A-1002, registration above traces to mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026.
  10. Everything about Corporations and Associations § 4A-1009, activities that are above traces to mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026.
  11. Everything about Corporations and Associations § 4A-1007, effect of not above traces to mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026.
  12. Everything about Tax-Property § 11-101, annual report above traces to mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026.
  13. Figures from Mainstay Filing's Maryland service page, November 13, 2026
  14. Figures from MD Registered Agent.org's pricing page, November 13, 2026
  15. Figures from Maryland Registered Agent.co's pricing page, November 13, 2026