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Formation Facts

What the state wants, and what it costs.

Registered agent guide · Maryland

Maryland Registered Agent Requirements and Fees (2026): the Rules and the 3 Best Agents

For anyone naming a registered agent in Maryland this year, 2026, we would go with Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Maryland Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and MD Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), in that order. Maryland insists that every LLC name a resident agent. Expect $300 a year in state fees, ranking 44th of 50.
Briefing by the Formation Facts team

What to know about Maryland

44th

among 50 states for yearly state fees

A rank of 1 means the lowest bill (tied). Compare all 50 states

  • Resident agent required

    Yes

    mgaleg.maryland.gov (last confirmed October 2026)

  • Business Entity Annual Report

    $300 / yr

    Deadline, as the state states it: April 15. dat.maryland.gov (last confirmed August 2026)

  • What the state collects in 1 year

    $300

    Recurring state fees over one year

Who we recommend in Maryland

Five weighted criteria set the order (see the method): three-year fees 33%, filings covered 26%, and then renewal terms, fit with Maryland rules and a clear state fee.

Ranked first

1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies that work in several states

$149 annually (renewal price $149)

Why Mainstay Filing is first: you pay $149 a year in every state, and the price stays the same at renewal.

Three years of this provider's fees run $150 above Maryland Registered Agent.co's; what you get for the difference is a broader set of filings done for you.

What your money gets you

  • A street address for your registered office
  • Scans anything served on the company the same business day and does not charge for it
  • Scans your first three government letters each year at no cost
  • Also works for nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

What works

  • Works in every state
  • $149 annually

What to weigh

  • Maryland Registered Agent.co charges $50 less every year
  • On this plan you file the reports yourself
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Maryland specialist

2. Maryland Registered Agent.co: best for a low flat agent price

$99 annually (renewal price $99)

Maryland Registered Agent.co is second for you since a flat $99 each year, and scans of papers served on you are passed along.

What your money gets you

  • A Maryland address that goes on the public record
  • Papers served on the company are scanned into your account

What works

  • A lower yearly price than Mainstay Filing
  • Price $99, renewal $99

What to weigh

  • Maryland only; another state needs its own agent
  • Nobody here will file the Business Entity Annual Report for you
Visit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Maryland specialist

3. MD Registered Agent.org: best for Maryland specialists

$99 annually (renewal price $99)

MD Registered Agent.org is third for you since a flat $99 each year, and scans of papers served on you are passed along.

Its prices are identical to Maryland Registered Agent.co's, so the two are close.

What your money gets you

  • A Maryland address that goes on the public record
  • Papers served on the company are scanned into your account

What works

  • A lower yearly price than Mainstay Filing
  • Price $99, renewal $99

What to weigh

  • Maryland only; another state needs its own agent
  • Nobody here will file the Business Entity Annual Report for you
Visit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The ranking in numbers

RankWhoYou pay per yearRenewal priceTheir fees across 3 years
1Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Maryland Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3MD Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Every price here was taken from the company's website on November 13, 2026. Switching agents will not change what the state bills.

Maryland registered agent calculator

This adds agent fees to the state's recurring charges (the Business Entity Annual Report from year 2). Formation fees are not included.
3 years with Mainstay Filing: you pay $600 to the state and $447 to the provider, $1,047 in all.

How Maryland compares with the states near it in the ranking

RankStateYearly state fees
42ndKentucky$190
43rdNorth Carolina$200
44thMaryland$300
44thTennessee$300
46thNevada$350
Registered agent rules by state lines up every state, starting with the lowest cost.

What Maryland law says you need as a 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.

Who you can use: A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC or limited partnership. That comes from Md. Code, Corps. & Ass'ns § 1-101(x).

The fees Maryland bills every year

Letters about your Business Entity Annual Report are sent to your resident agent. The cost is $300 every year, and the deadline is April 15.

Our reasoning

Mainstay Filing pulled ahead of Maryland Registered Agent.co on upkeep the price covers, which is weighted 26%.

One agent for any state beat the single-state choice.

Common questions

Do I have to name a resident agent for my Maryland LLC?

Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Who is allowed to be a resident agent for my Maryland LLC?

A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC or limited partnership.

What will registered agent service cost me each year in Maryland?

The agents on this page charge $99 to $149 a year.

Which state fees will I pay every year?

You will pay $300 a year on our yearly measure, which is the Business Entity Annual Report ($300 every year).

Which registered agents does this page rank?

Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Maryland Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and MD Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), starting at the top of our list.

Which registered agent should I choose?

We would choose Mainstay Filing first (one $149 agent plan that moves with you whenever you add a state), with Maryland Registered Agent.co and MD Registered Agent.org behind it.

Related briefings

Where this briefing comes from

  1. Behind the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation section is dat.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  2. Behind the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation section is dat.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  3. Behind the Maryland report due date section is dat.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  4. Behind the Md section is mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  5. Behind the Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source section is mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  6. Behind the Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source section is egov.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  7. Behind the Maryland registered agent statute section is mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  8. Behind the Kentucky Secretary of State section is sos.ky.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  9. Behind the Kentucky Secretary of State section is sos.ky.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  10. Behind the Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official section is revenue.ky.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  11. Behind the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State section is sosnc.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  12. Behind the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State section is sosnc.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  13. Behind the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services section is tnbear.tn.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  14. Behind the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services section is sos.tn.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  15. Behind the Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source section is sos.tn.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  16. Behind the Nevada yearly filing: Annual list + license: fees section is nvsos.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  17. The page we used for Mainstay Filing (Maryland service page) was open to us on November 13, 2026
  18. The page we used for Maryland Registered Agent.co (pricing page) was open to us on November 13, 2026
  19. The page we used for MD Registered Agent.org (pricing page) was open to us on November 13, 2026