5 Best Maryland LLC Formation Services 2023 List (Updated)

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When you decide to start an LLC in Maryland, you must thoroughly research and do your homework. Starting an LLC is relatively easy; with professional help, opening an LLC in Maryland becomes even smoother. You will find many such companies when choosing the best LLC formation service in Maryland. Surprisingly, every other company will claim to be the best. But who to trust? How do you know who is the best for your business?

LLCBuddy Editors have eased the task for you. We scanned the market and came up with a list of the best LLC formation services in Maryland. You can compare their services, prices, and other information here before choosing the right one!

If you do not like reading a long article, you can watch the above video for the complete list of best LLC Maryland LLC formation services. It is mandatory to choose the best LLC formation service in Maryland, especially when you want to get rid of any hassle while forming your Maryland LLC. You may start it on your own, but it will not be a wise decision, as missing out any step or even a small thing can lead to the cancellation of the process.

Best LLC Service in Maryland

On this page, you’ll learn about the following:

Best LLC Formation Services in Maryland
How to Form an LLC in Maryland
How to Choose the Best LLC Formation Service in Maryland
FAQs

Best LLC Formation Services in Maryland

Here is the list of best LLC services available in Maryland. The best thing about these services is starting your LLC for free. Some of the following services are offering LLC formation in Maryland at $0. Other than the state fees and charges, you do not have to pay any charges to the service provider. You will get the basic formation package for free. Now, let’s check out the list of best LLC formation service providers in Maryland-

LLC Service	Our Rating & Pricing	Top Features	Learn More
#1 TOP PICK	5/5 $0 + State Fees	Free LLC formation Access to Legal Support Trustworthy and established reputation	Learn More
	4/5 $299 + State Fees	Flat pricing for all services Basic business filing services A+ BBB Accredited	Learn More

Below is the list of best LLC formation services in Maryland we picked for you.

LLCBuddy Editorial Team selects these companies through thorough research and market study. It is recommended that you must cross-check all the factors before choosing the right one for your business.

1. LegalZoom

LegalZoom is one of the service providers in Maryland that offers free LLC formation services. If you want to avoid spending money to form your LLC, then LegalZoom is for you. It offers various formation packages that include all types of LLC services. Aside from LLC formation, LegalZoom offers C and S corp formation. With over thousands of customers, the company offers basic LLC formation services at $0.

LegalZoom Plans

Basic Package- $0 + State Filing Fees (Tax deduction may be applicable)
Pro Package – $249 + State Filing Fees (Tax deductible may be applicable)
Premium Package – $279 + State Filing Fees (Tax deduction may be applicable)

Apart from these packages, LegalZoom offers a bunch of add-on services as well. Add-on services include the following-

Registered Agent – $299 per year. Available as an add-on and not included in any packages
Trademark registration: Assisting with the US trademark application process
Copyright registration: Guidance on registering copyrights for creative works
Patent services: Support in obtaining utility, design, and plant patents
Estate planning: Offering personalized wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents
Legal advice: Access to a network of lawyers for consultations and legal guidance
Expedited Filing: With an additional $99, you can speed up your filing process.

LegalZoom Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get LegalZoom	Why You Shouldn’t Get LegalZoom
Free LLC formation	Expensive add-ons, such as Registered Agent
Trustworthy and established reputation	Higher pricing compared to some competitors
Quick turnaround time	Less number of add-on options
Access to legal professionals	Some additional fees not included in plan prices
Customer support available through phone or chat	Mixed customer reviews

LegalZoom Overview

LegalZoom is one of the oldest companies in USA. This company is a service provider offering LLC formation at $0. It offers three broad packages, Basic, Pro, and Premium. The Basic package costs $0. Though you must pay the Maryland filing fee while filing the Articles of Organization with the Maryland Secretary of State. The filing fee depends on which method, mail, online, or any other method you choose.

LegalZoom offers vast add-ones like others. Hence, the chances of getting diverse services are comparatively high. The best part about the company is there is an access to legal documents and legal consultation. The registered agent service is a bit expensive. If you want to hire Resident Agent from LegalZoom, you must purchase that service separately, it does not come with any formation plans.

Form LLC in Maryland with LegalZoom

2. BetterLegal

BetterLegal is a comparatively new company than other competitors. But this company has successfully grabbed a large portion of the market in the United States. Serving in 51 states, BetterLegal has been in business since 2016. Unlike other experienced companies, it does not have a list of packages and plans for LLC formation.

BetterLegal Plans

BetterLegal offers one single plan at a flat $299 + state filing fees. It has a list of add-on services as well. BetterLegal is an online service that started off with a very small team. However, even after being in the business for so long, they didn’t increase their team size much. They have transparent pricing, and no hidden charge exists for any services they provide.

BetterLegal offers a list of add-on services. Following are the additional services they offer-

Registered Agent service – $10/month or $90/year
State Annual compliance services – $10/month or $90/year
Permit & License Search Service – $125
Amendment & document research – Free with the core formation service package

BetterLegal Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get BetterLegal	Why You Shouldn’t Get BetterLegal
No refund; all sales are final	The basic package does not include registered agent service
Quick Turnaround time	Additional charge for EIN
A+ BBB Accredited	The basic package does not include a registered agent service
Single plan for all incorporation

BetterLegal Overview

Even though the company is called BetterLegal, no attorneys or legal services are available. The company offers a single plan for all types of business formation. Hence, if you are planning to form a corporation, you can pay $299 + incorporation fee ($120 for filing in person and by mail in Maryland). It offers comparatively better turnaround time at a reasonable price than other companies. You can file your LLC within 10 minutes with BetterLegal.

It offers a resource center for new entrepreneurs. They provide guidance to make things easier when it comes to filing your business. Their small team sometimes fails to cater to their customers on time. Reaching out to their customer support team is very difficult. Another disadvantage is it does not have a refund policy. All sales with BetterLegal are final, and at any stage, upon cancelation, no refund is made. However, basic LLC formation and registered agent services are much cheaper in BetterLegal than in other close competitors.

Form LLC in Maryland with BetterLegal

3. TailorBrands

Do you want to create a brand for your business in Maryland? Here is the LLC formation service provider, TailorBrands, for you. The company was established in 2015 in New York, and since then, it has offered several incredible services to set up your business. TailorBrands has a single LLC formation plan that starts at $49 a year. You can choose different other add-on services at an additional cost.

TailorBrands Services

TailorBrands offer a single plan for forming an LLC at $49. There are some basic services that TailorBrands offer, including starting an LLC, filing it, Maryland name availability search, priority support, and so on. You can use their add-on services as and when required. Add-ons are-

Registered Agent Service – $199/year
Employment ID Number (EIN) – $99 (one-time pay)
Annual Compliances – $299/year
Operating Agreement – $29
Expedited Filing – $49
Business bank account – Free

TailorBrands Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get TailorBrands	Why You Shouldn’t Get TailorBrands
Low-cost LLC formation	Not BBB Accredited
Free business bank accounts	No business domain packages
Hassle-free LLC formation	Additional charges to obtain EIN
Additional services like logo, website, domain

TailorBrands Overview

TailorBrands does not have vast LLC formation packages. Instead, it has a single package that includes the formation of LLCs. The name availability search is unlimited, and you don’t have to pay any additional fees. The state filing fee of $100 must be paid apart from the charges you pay for add-ons.

TailorBrands offers other business services such as logo making, domain, website, business bank account, merchandise, and other business services. As a small or start-up business, you must go for TailorBrands.

Form LLC in Maryland with TailorBrands

4. ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a Texas-based company that provides services from formation to annual compliance to an LLC. It offers three plans, Starter, Pro, and Premium. The Starter plan starts from $0. That means you can form your LLC for free in Maryland, though you must pay the state filing fee of $100 to the Maryland Secretary of State. But, the company charges nothing to form your business in the state.

ZenBusiness Plans

Starter Plan at $0 + state filing fee
Pro Plan at $199/year + state filing fee
Premium Plan at $299/year + state filing fee

ZenBusiness Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get ZenBusiness	Why You Should Not Get ZenBusiness
100% accuracy rate	Does not form Maryland nonprofit
Free LLC formation in Maryland	Additional cost for EIN
User friendly
Standalone Resident Agent services

ZenBusiness Overview

ZenBusiness is one of those top-rated companies that provide business formation in Maryland at a minimum cost (currently at $0). There is no charge to be paid to the company for forming your LLC in Maryland. The state filing fee and other necessary fees must be paid, including the registered agent fee.

ZenBusiness offers three plans, among which the Pro plan is recommended. The Pro plan has everything you need to start an LLC in Maryland. Obtaining EIN, operating agreement drafting, name search, and all other services are available with the rush filing feature.

Form LLC in Maryland with ZenBusiness

5. Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent is a family-owned business based in Spoken, Washington state. The company offers LLC formation, registered agent service, annual compliances, and other business-related services in all 50 states, including Maryland. It offers LLC formation at $ 39+ state fees and registered agent service at $125 yearly.

Northwest Plans

Northwest does not have conventional packages. It offers Core, Business maintenance, and business development services. Under these categories, various services are available at a flat rate. Some of the services offered by Northwest in Maryland are listed below-

LLC formation in Maryland at $39 + state filing fee
Registered Agent at $125 yearly
Annual report filing at $100 + state filing fee
Obtaining EIN at $50
Northwest offers National Agent Service. If you operate your LLC Resident Agent in 5 or more states, you can pay $100 + state fees (if applicable) to get a single agent for all states.

Northwest Registered Agent Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get Northwest	Why You Should Not Get Northwest
DIY Packages for your LLC in Maryland	Not BBB accredited
No plans, flat rate for all services	Additional charges to obtain EIN in Maryland
Purchase only the service you need to form Maryland LLC.	The operating agreement draft is not included in the Core services
Northwest offers standalone Resident Agent service in Maryland

Northwest Registered Agent Overview

Northwest is one of those service providers that offer DIY packages. Northwest is not for you if you want a wholesome formation package in Maryland. It does not have conventional LLC formation packages. It is simply like a departmental store for you. You don’t need to buy everything, but the only thing you need.

Northwest has in-house corporate guides to guide you through the formation process. It offers LLC formation at $39 plus the state filing fee ($100). If you have already formed your LLC in Maryland and are willing to appoint Resident Agent only, then Northwest can provide a standalone registered agent service at $125 per year.

Northwest offers single flat rates for all services in Maryland and other states. The best part about the company is it does not outsource any of its services. Northwest offers corporate guides to help you through the steps of LLC formation.

Form LLC in Maryland with Northwest Registered Agent

How to Form an LLC in Maryland

Maryland, popularly known as The Old Line State, is a business-friendly state with a population of 6,298,325. The Nominal Gross Domestic Product (in millions) of Maryland is $474,424 according to a 2022 study, which has been said to be increased over the past year. Hence, starting your business in Maryland will always be a good option. If you choose the state capital, Annapolis, to start your LLC, you might get more tax and other benefits.

To form an LLC in Maryland, you need to follow some basic steps, including getting an LLC name, appointing your Maryland Resident Agent, filing the Maryland Articles of Organization, creating Maryland LLC operating agreement, and finally getting an EIN for filing required taxes.

You can do that on your own. However, it is always recommended to get a professional person on board to guide you through. These steps are crucial and sensitive. You must complete everything to avoid canceling your formation process. Hence, having a professional LLC formation service for your LLC is better.

How to Choose the Best LLC Formation Service in Maryland

It is important to choose the best service for your business carefully. Before you select the best one, make sure you thoroughly research on following points-

Reputation: Look for a company with a good reputation. Check reviews and ratings from previous clients to see how they feel about the services offered.
Experience: Choose a company with years of LLC formation experience. This ensures that they have knowledge of the process and can provide quality services.
Cost: Compare prices between different companies. Choose a company that offers affordable pricing for the services you need.
Customer Service: Ensure that the company has good customer service. They should be responsive, helpful, and willing to answer any questions.
Services Offered: Look for a company that offers a range of services, including entity formation, registered agent services, and ongoing compliance support to ensure your LLC remains in good standing.
Ease of Use: Choose a company with a user-friendly website and easy-to-use online platform. This makes the process of forming an LLC simple and straightforward.
Guarantees: Check if the company offers a satisfaction guarantee or a refund policy. This gives you peace of mind that you are getting the best possible service.

FAQs

What are the best LLC formation services in Maryland?

Some of the best LLC formation services in Maryland include ZenBusiness, Incfile, and Northwest Registered Agent.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maryland?

The cost to form an LLC in Maryland is $100.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Maryland?

It usually takes around 7-10 business days to form an LLC in Maryland.

What is the filing fee for an LLC in Maryland?

The filing fee for an LLC in Maryland is $100.

Can I form an LLC in Maryland as a non-resident?

Yes, you can form an LLC in Maryland as a non-resident.

Can I operate my LLC outside of Maryland?

Yes, you can operate your LLC outside of Maryland.

What are the LLC laws in Maryland?

Maryland’s LLC laws are found in the Maryland Code, Title 4A, Chapter 1.

Is it necessary to have a registered agent in Maryland?

Yes, you are required to have a registered agent in Maryland.

What is the function of a registered agent?

The function of a registered agent is to receive legal and official documents on behalf of your business.

Can I be my own registered agent in Maryland?

Yes, you can act as your own registered agent in Maryland.

What are the cons of acting as your own registered agent?

The cons of acting as your own registered agent include a possible loss of privacy and being available during regular business hours.

What is the Articles of Organization?

The Articles of Organization is a legal document that is filed with the state to officially form your Maryland LLC.

Is it possible to dissolve an LLC in Maryland?

Yes, it is possible to dissolve an LLC in Maryland.

What are the requirements for dissolving an LLC in Maryland?

To dissolve an LLC in Maryland, you need to file a Notice of Dissolution form and pay the appropriate fee.

Can I change the name of my LLC in Maryland?

Yes, you can change the name of your LLC in Maryland by filing a Certificate of Amendment form.

What are the rules about naming an LLC in Maryland?

You need to make sure that your LLC name is unique and does not conflict with existing businesses in Maryland.

How do I check if my LLC name is available in Maryland?

You can check the availability of your LLC name in Maryland via the state’s business entity search tool.

Do I need an operating agreement for my Maryland LLC?

It is not required by law to have an operating agreement for your LLC in Maryland, but it is recommended.

Can I amend the articles and the operating agreement of my LLC in Maryland?

Yes, you can amend the articles and the operating agreement of your LLC in Maryland.

What is a “foreign” LLC in Maryland?

A “foreign” LLC in Maryland refers to an LLC that is formed outside of the state but is doing business in Maryland.

Can I form a domestic LLC and then register it as a foreign LLC in Maryland?

Yes, you can register a domestic LLC as a foreign LLC in Maryland to do business in the state.

How many members do I need to form an LLC in Maryland?

You only need one member to form an LLC in Maryland.

What are the tax obligations for an LLC in Maryland?

LLCs in Maryland are subject to federal income tax and may have state tax obligations as well.

What is the business license requirement for an LLC in Maryland?

Depending on your location and the type of business you have, you may need to obtain a business license in Maryland.

Can I be held personally liable for my LLC’s debts in Maryland?

Generally, no. LLC owners in Maryland are protected from personal liability for their business’s debts.

Are licenses and permits required to start and operate an LLC in Maryland?

Depending on your location and the type of business you have, licenses and permits may be required to start and operate an LLC in Maryland.

How can an attorney assist me with the formation of my LLC in Maryland?

An attorney can assist you with legal and tax advice, drafting an operating agreement, filing paperwork, and provide overall guidance as you set up your LLC in Maryland.

Are there any special requirements for healthcare-based LLCs in Maryland?

Yes, healthcare-based LLCs in Maryland may need to comply with state regulations related to healthcare delivery and licensing.

Does Maryland have an annual report requirement for LLCs?

Yes, Maryland LLCs are required to file an annual report with the state.

What is an LLC?

An LLC is a limited liability company.

Is forming an LLC necessary?

It’s not legally required, but it offers several benefits, including personal liability protection.

What is the process for forming an LLC in Maryland?

You need to file Articles of Organization with the Maryland Secretary of State.

Can you form an LLC in Maryland online?

Yes, you can file online using the Maryland Secretary of State’s website.

What is an operating agreement?

An operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the rules of your business.

Is an operating agreement required for an LLC in Maryland?

It is not required, but it is highly recommended.

What is the cost of forming an LLC in Maryland?

The cost is $100 to file Articles of Organization with the Maryland Secretary of State.

What name should I choose for my LLC in Maryland?

Make sure it is unique and not already registered with the state.

Can I change my LLC’s name after it’s formed?

Yes, you can file an amendment with the Maryland Secretary of State to change your LLC’s name.

Can a Maryland LLC have a single member?

Yes, there are no restrictions on the number of members an LLC can have in Maryland.

How do I obtain a Maryland business license?

You can apply for a license through the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Do I need to obtain any other permits or licenses?

It depends on the nature of your business. Make sure to research any additional requirements.

Do I need to appoint a registered agent for my Maryland LLC?

Yes, every LLC in Maryland must have a registered agent.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes, you can be your own agent or you can hire a professional registered agent.

Are there any residency requirements to form an LLC in Maryland?

No, there are no requirements related to residency for forming an LLC in Maryland.

Do I need an employer identification number (EIN) for my Maryland LLC?

It depends on your specific situation. Most LLCs require an EIN.

Can I obtain an EIN online?

Yes, you can apply for an EIN online through the IRS’s website.

What are the taxes for a Maryland LLC?

Maryland LLCs are subject to state and federal taxes. You may need to file an annual report and pay franchise tax.

How do I change my LLC’s registered agent?

You can file paperwork with the Maryland Secretary of State to change your registered agent.

Can I dissolve my Maryland LLC?

Yes, you can dissolve your LLC by filing Articles of Dissolution with the Maryland Secretary of State.

Will I need to pay any fees to dissolve my LLC?

You may need to pay a fee to file Articles of Dissolution with the Maryland Secretary of State.

Can I reinstate a dissolved Maryland LLC?

Yes, you can petition for reinstatement with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

What happens if I don’t file annual reports for my Maryland LLC?

If you fail to file your annual report, your LLC may be revoked.

Can I convert my Maryland LLC to another type of business entity?

Yes, you can convert your LLC to a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship in Maryland.

Can I transfer my out-of-state LLC to Maryland?

Yes, you can file paperwork with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation to register your out-of-state LLC as a foreign LLC.

Can I change my LLC’s business purpose?

Yes, you can amend your LLC’s Articles of Organization to reflect the new purpose.

Can I have multiple business purposes for my Maryland LLC?

Yes, you can list multiple purposes for your LLC in your Articles of Organization.

Conclusion

Having a professional service to form your LLC in Maryland is much better than doing it yourself. It is hassle-free, and there is no chance of making mistakes while filing your business. This article lists the best LLC formation services in Maryland. Before you select one, make sure you compare the price, services, and features properly.