Run by the Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). It covers corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Maryland Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
In Maryland, business entities are handled by the Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), not the Secretary of State. Its Business Express portal lets anyone search a company for free — by name, Department ID, or EIN — and check whether it is in good standing.
Business Name Availability Check
State of Maryland
What the Maryland SDAT Search Covers
Each record lists the Department ID, status, entity type, formation date, resident agent, and principal office.
Basic searches are free; ordering documents carries a fee.
How to Search by Business Name
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Open the Maryland Business Express search
Go to Maryland Business Express and open the entity search, or use the direct link below. Basic searches are free.
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Search by name, Department ID, or EIN
Look up a business three ways: by business name, by Department ID, or by EIN (federal tax ID).
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Read the results
Results show matching entities with their Department ID and status. Click a name to open its record.
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Review the entity record
The record shows status (good standing or not), entity type, formation date, resident agent, and principal office.
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File or order through Business Express
Charter filings, annual reports, personal property returns, and document orders all go through the Business Express portal.
Ready to try it? Open Maryland Business Express and run your query.
Search Maryland businesses ↗All the Ways to Search Maryland Records
Business Name
Search by company name. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗Department ID
Go straight to one record using the SDAT Department ID (it usually starts with a letter).
Open this search ↗EIN
Look up an entity by its federal Employer Identification Number.
Open this search ↗Filings & Documents
Through Business Express, order documents and file annual reports and personal property returns.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Search three ways: by business name, Department ID, or EIN.
- Maryland business records are kept by SDAT (Assessments and Taxation), not the Secretary of State.
- The Maryland ID is the Department ID, which usually begins with a letter.
- Basic searches are free; ordering documents carries a fee.
- Maryland uses the term "resident agent" for the registered agent.
- The "annual report" is really a Personal Property Return filed with SDAT, due April 15.
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Department ID | The SDAT identification number for the entity; it usually begins with a letter. |
| Business Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Status | Whether the entity is in Good Standing, or not — often because an annual report or personal property return is unfiled. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Corporation, or LP. |
| Formation / Registration Date | The date the entity was formed in Maryland or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Resident Agent | Maryland's registered agent: the name and Maryland address designated to receive legal documents. |
| Principal Office | The entity's principal office address in Maryland. |
| Filing History | The entity's charter documents and annual report / personal property filings. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
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Open the entity’s record
Search by name, Department ID, or EIN and open the record.
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Check good standing
The status shows whether the entity is current on its annual report and personal property return.
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Order documents
Order certified copies or a certificate of status through Business Express for a fee.
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File the annual report
File the annual report and personal property return through Business Express to keep good standing.
Annual report = Personal Property Return: Maryland’s annual report is filed with SDAT and doubles as a Personal Property Return, due April 15. Even with no property tax owed, skipping it costs the entity its good standing.
Maryland Business Search - Common Questions
Is the Maryland business search free?
Yes. Basic searches on Maryland Business Express are free. Ordering certified documents carries a fee.
Does Maryland have a Secretary of State for businesses?
Business entity registration, name searches, and annual reports are handled by the Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), not the Secretary of State.
What is a Department ID?
It is the SDAT identification number for the entity. It usually begins with a letter, and you can search directly by it.
Does Maryland require an annual report?
Yes, and it doubles as a Personal Property Return filed with SDAT, due April 15. Even with no property tax owed, failing to file costs the entity its good standing. The fee is $300.
Who is the "resident agent"?
That is Maryland's term for the registered agent — the person or company designated to receive legal documents for the entity.
A name is available in Maryland. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.