Short answer: Referred to as a Resident Agent. Must have a physical address in Maryland. Changing agents costs $25.
We've pulled these figures from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)'s own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Who can serve as a Maryland registered agent
Referred to as a Resident Agent. Must have a physical address in Maryland.
Check the rules above before naming yourself.
Paid registered agent services
| Service | Yearly price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | Uses its address on your public filings by default; scans state and legal mail |
| Bizee | Free year 1 with formation, then $149 | Says it runs its own offices in all 50 states; sends service of process by tracked FedEx |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | Sold as an add-on, not included with formation |
| LegalZoom | $249 | Sold separately from its LLC packages |
Compare all four in our registered agent rankings, or read the Bizee vs Northwest comparison.
How Maryland compares
Maryland's fee to change registered agents is $25. That's the 13th highest of 45 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $20, so Maryland runs $5 above it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $25 | 13 of 45 |
| Delaware | $50 | 4 of 45 |
| District of Columbia | $50 | 4 of 45 |
| New Jersey | $25 | 13 of 45 |
| Virginia | Varies | Not confirmed |
| Connecticut | Varies | Not confirmed |
Maryland fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $150 | Base filing fee is $100. Online filings are automatically forced into an expedited tier, requiring a mandatory $50 expedite fee, bringing the realistic online cost to $150. |
| Change of registered agent | $25 | Fee to change the resident agent is $25. |
| Articles of Cancellation | $0 |
Registered agent rules: Maryland questions
What are the registered agent requirements in Maryland?
Referred to as a Resident Agent. Must have a physical address in Maryland.
Can I be my own registered agent in Maryland?
Generally yes, if you have a physical address in Maryland and are available during business hours. Confirm with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
How much does it cost to change registered agents in Maryland?
The state charges $25. Fee to change the resident agent is $25.
Can a registered agent use a PO box in Maryland?
No. Registered agents need a physical street address in Maryland where legal papers can be delivered in person during business hours.
How much does a registered agent service cost in Maryland?
Commercial services typically charge a yearly fee. Northwest charges $125 a year and Bizee charges $149 a year after a free first year with formation, based on prices we checked. The state doesn't regulate these prices.
What happens if my Maryland LLC doesn't have a registered agent?
You can miss lawsuits and state notices, and the state can eventually move to revoke or dissolve the LLC. Failure to file triggers forfeiture of the LLC's right to do business and loss of liability protection.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: ra.self allowed, report.late penalty.