Certificate of Good Standing Maryland
A Maryland certificate of good standing verifies that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
In our Certificate of Good Standing Maryland guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Maryland.
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How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Maryland?
You can obtain your certificate of good standing, known as a certificate of status in Maryland, by requesting it from the Department of Assessments and Taxation.
There are two main steps for getting your certificate of good standing:
2. Order your certificate of good standing
What is a certificate of good standing? A certificate of good standing is a state document that verifies your business was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
Step 1. Make Sure Your Maryland Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Maryland certificate of status, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Maryland, you must follow federal, state, and local licensing guidelines. This can include regulations like health permits and building permits.
You can find out more about state licensing requirements with the Maryland Department of Commerce website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Maryland state tax. This can include sales tax, withholding tax, or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Annual Reports
All Maryland LLCs and corporations must file an annual report. This report summarizes your business’s finances over the past year and verifies your business’s basic information.
The annual report is filed with the Department of Assessments and Taxation and is due April 15 each year. It can be filed online or by mail. The filing fee is $300.
Step 2. Order Your Maryland Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a Maryland certificate of status from the Department of Assessments and Taxation. This can be done online, by mail, or in person.
ORDER A MARYLAND CERTIFICATE OF STATUS
OPTION 1: Order Online With Maryland Business Express
Order Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Order by Mail or In Person
Read InstructionsFiling Cost: $20 online and by mail, $40 in person
Filing Address:
SDAT - Corporate Charter Division
301 W. Preston Street, Room 801
Baltimore, MD 21201
Need Help Filing?
Use a professional service to help you order your Maryland Certificate of Status
Our favorite choice is ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Maryland?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of compliance to run your business in Maryland, there are several instances where you may need to get one. These include:
- Purchasing business insurance
- Applying for business loans
- Opening a business checking account
- Registering to do business in other states
Maryland Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
A certificate of good standing is a legal document that confirms that your business is compliant with state regulations.
In Maryland, a certificate of good standing is known as a certificate of status.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of existence or certificates of compliance.
You can get a Maryland certificate of status by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online, by mail, or in person.
In Maryland, ordering a certificate of status costs $20 online or by mail, and $40 in person.
Because many banks and insurance companies will want a business's certificate of good standing in order to do business, we recommend getting one as soon as possible.
A Maryland certificate of status does not have a set expiration date. However, requesters — such as banks, creditors, and foreign business states — often have their own guidelines for a certificate's validity.
Obtaining a Maryland certificate of status means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Maryland businesses often need a certificate of status in order to do business outside of Maryland, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Maryland businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of status. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Maryland or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Maryland certificate of status online, it will immediately be emailed to you. If you order by mail or in person, the Department of Assessments and Taxation will mail you the certificate.