Resident agent required
Yes
mgaleg.maryland.gov, read October 2026
Registered agent guide · Maryland
Maryland Registered Agent Rules and Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Agents
Our 2026 ranking for hiring a registered agent in Maryland reads MD Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and Maryland Registered Agent.co ($99 a year). A resident agent is mandatory for Maryland LLCs. Each year the state collects $300, number 44th of 50.
Maryland: the facts
44th
for a year of state charges
Ordered from the lowest total up (same total as other states). See all 50 states ranked
Business Entity Annual Report
$300 / yr
Due date, in the state's own words: April 15. dat.maryland.gov, read August 2026
State charges over 1 year
$300
A typical year of state charges
Maryland ranking
Criteria in order of weight: three-year fees, coverage, renewal terms, fit with Maryland, clear state fee (method).
1. MD Registered Agent.org: best for people who reside in Maryland
Year 1 is $99, year 2 is $99
We put MD Registered Agent.org at number one since $99 a year, with no step up at renewal, aimed at a company that works in one state.
Its three-year provider fees are lower than Mainstay Filing's, and cost carries 34%, the heaviest weight we use.
What the price takes in
- A Maryland street address for the registered office
- Anything served on the company is scanned and posted online
In its favor
- $99 per year with no increase
- Cheaper per year than the national pick
Against it
- Another state needs a different agent
- The Business Entity Annual Report is not filed for you
2. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who might add another state
Year 1 is $149, year 2 is $149
We put Mainstay Filing second since a $149 agent fee that applies in all fifty states, so a growing company can stay with one provider.
The three-year total here is $150 above MD Registered Agent.org's, and cost is the heaviest weight in the score.
What the price takes in
- A registered office in Maryland, address provided
- Scans papers served on the company the same business day, at no charge
- Scans the first three government letters each year, no charge
- Serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs as well
In its favor
- One price, any state
- A flat $149 yearly
Against it
- $50 per year more than MD Registered Agent.org
- This plan does not file reports
3. Maryland Registered Agent.co: best for an agent close to home
Year 1 is $99, year 2 is $99
In third place sits Maryland Registered Agent.co: $99 a year, with no step up at renewal, aimed at a company that works in one state.
It ties with MD Registered Agent.org on price.
What the price takes in
- A Maryland street address for the registered office
- Anything served on the company is scanned and posted online
In its favor
- $99 per year with no increase
- Cheaper per year than the national pick
Against it
- Another state needs a different agent
- The Business Entity Annual Report is not filed for you
Prices in one place
| No. | Provider | Price per year | Renewal price | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MD Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Maryland Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
We read each company's price page on November 13, 2026. The state charges the same no matter who is your agent.
Maryland registered agent calculator
Agent prices plus the state's recurring charges (the Business Entity Annual Report from year 2). Formation fees are not counted.
Maryland and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Yearly state fees |
|---|---|---|
| 42nd | Kentucky | $190 |
| 43rd | North Carolina | $200 |
| 44th | Maryland | $300 |
| 44th | Tennessee | $300 |
| 46th | Nevada | $350 |
The full table is at Registered agent rules by state, lowest bills first.
What Maryland law says about the 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 is allowed to serve: A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC or limited partnership. Under Md. Code, Corps. & Ass'ns § 1-101(x).
Maryland's recurring charges
Letters about the Business Entity Annual Report go to the address of your resident agent. The cost is $300 every year, and the date is April 15.
What decided the order
The criterion that decided Maryland was service bill, years one to three, at 34%.
MD Registered Agent.org comes to $297 in provider fees over three years, $150 less than Mainstay Filing.
Frequently asked questions
Are Maryland LLCs obliged to keep a resident agent on file?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Who can serve as the resident agent for Maryland LLCs?
A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC or limited partnership.
What does registered agent service cost in Maryland each year?
Plan on $99 to $149 a year.
What state fees does an LLC pay every year?
The state collects $300 per year on our yearly measure, which is the Business Entity Annual Report at $300 every year.
Which registered agents does this page rank?
MD Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and Maryland Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), ranked from first pick to last.
Which registered agent would you choose?
The order is MD Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing and Maryland Registered Agent.co.
Where these facts come from
- Backing for the numbers about Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation is found at dat.maryland.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation is found at dat.maryland.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Maryland report due date is found at dat.maryland.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Md is found at mgaleg.maryland.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source is found at mgaleg.maryland.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source is found at egov.maryland.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Maryland registered agent statute is found at mgaleg.maryland.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Kentucky Secretary of State is found at sos.ky.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Kentucky Secretary of State is found at sos.ky.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official is found at revenue.ky.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State is found at sosnc.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State is found at sosnc.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services is found at tnbear.tn.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services is found at sos.tn.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source is found at sos.tn.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Nevada yearly filing: Annual list + license: fees is found at nvsos.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- As read November 13, 2026, MD Registered Agent.org shows pricing page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, Mainstay Filing shows Maryland service page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, Maryland Registered Agent.co shows pricing page on its site