How to Get Maryland Certificate of Status

Are you looking to expand your business operations or secure financing for your company in Maryland? One essential document you’ll need in such situations is the Certificate of Status. This certificate is an official document issued by the state authorities to confirm that your business is compliant with state regulations and requirements. The Certificate of Status is one of the most important documents your business needs. Whether it is the Maryland LLC filing or a corporation or any other form of business, the Certificate of Status must be obtained.

We will share the in and out of Maryland Certificate of Status in this article. We’ll also discuss the various scenarios when you might need this certificate and provide helpful tips to ensure your business remains in good standing with the Maryland authorities. We recommend you read the article on how to get Maryland Certificate of Status till the end. Let’s dive in and get your business one step closer to achieving its goals!

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

What is Certificate of Status in Maryland
- What Information You Have in Maryland Certificate of Status
- Who Should Obtain the Certificate of Status
How to Obtain Maryland Certificate of Status
Why Do You Need a Certificate of Status
FAQs

What is Certificate of Status in Maryland

The Certificate of Status is a document that every business in Maryland requires to obtain. This document states that the company (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc.) complies with the State government. In other words, the business has fulfilled all the legal requirements in Maryland. Whether you form an LLC or any other form of business, you must get this document.

If you take your business to a different state, your Certificate of Status will be a necessary document to be produced. It shows that your business does not have any illegitimate or outlawed activities.

What Information You Have in Maryland Certificate of Status

The Certificate of Status consists of very pivotal information related to your business. Following is the information your Certificate of Status will have-

The entity type (LLC, Corporation, LLP, LP, or any other registered entity type) when it was formed
The date of filing the business entity (filing the formation document).
The current name and address of the business entity
Whether the business entity exists today
Name and address of the Resident Agent
The State where the document is issued
A declaration that the business entity has paid all the required taxes and complies with all applicable legal requirements.
A declaration that the business entity met all the requirements to get the document.

Who Should Obtain the Certificate of Status

Any business entity, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Corporation, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), a Limited Partnership (LP), or any other registered business structure in Maryland is eligible to obtain the Certificate of Status. Anyone with a sole proprietorship does not need to obtain the Certificate of Status because sole proprietorship companies do not have to register their business.

How to Obtain Maryland Certificate of Status

The Secretary of State issues this document. To obtain the Certificate of Status, you must fill out the form and send it to the Maryland SOS along with the required filing fees. There is some information you will need to enter while submitting the form. Here are the points to add-

Step 1: Get the Form

The first thing you need to do is get the form. The form is available on the state SOS website. You can download the form and mail it or submit it online. The following points are required to mention in the form-

Details of The Requester: The first information you need to provide is the detail of the requester. Provide your full name, address (which can be your business address), and phone number.

Name of Your Business: Provide the exact name of your business. Make sure no spelling mistakes are made. The spelling must be the same as mentioned in the Certificate of Formation. Besides the name, provide the company registration number or file number. The SOS issues this number after you file the Certificate of Formation. This is not mandatory, but it is recommended to share the file number to get the process done quickly.

Details of Return Method: The certificate can be collected in person or by mail from Maryland SOS. If you request the document in person, you can take the return in person or by mail. Choose which way you want it.

Copies of the Certificate: You can request the number of copies of the certificate from SOS. There is a box in the form you need to check for multiple copies of this document. You can obtain more than one copy of the Certificate of Compliance for various purposes. It is recommended to get more copies of the certificate for future use.

Fax Copy of the Certificate: You might get a Fax copy before receiving the certificate’s hard copy. This is one of the options available in some of the states. If you want to receive the fax copy of the certificate, you must provide the fax number while filing the form.

Copies of Other Documents: If you want, you can request copies of other documents filed with the SOS. Other documents include the Maryland Articles of Organization for LLCs, Articles of Incorporation, amendments, and other registered documents with the SOS. This is optional and you can avoid this. With every copy you request, you must pay a stipulated fee.

Step 2: Submit the Form

You can submit the form online, by mail, or in person, whichever is available and more convenient. Send the form to the CoState Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division 301 W. Preston Street; 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201-2395 for offline filing. You can also submit the form online. For that, you must go to the Maryland SOS official website and search for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Status. The amount depends on the number of copies you request. If you request other document copies, you might pay an additional fee for that.

Processing Time: The Certificate of Status’s processing time varies from state to state. Also, it depends on the expedited filing as well. It can take a few days to a few months to obtain the Certificate of Status in Maryland.

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Status

Once you submit the form and the necessary filing fee, your forms start processing. The process might take a lot of time. If you do not want to wait, you can check with the Maryland SOS if they have expedited filing or not. In Maryland, it can take up to a few months to receive the Certificate of Status.

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Status

The Certificate of Status in Maryland is a character certificate of any business. Obtaining this document makes your business legitimate officially. You need this document every now and then while making business decisions. You must obtain the document for the following reasons,

To get business loans and advances or investors
To get business bank accounts
To purchase insurance for business coverage
To renew licenses & permits
To set up your business in other states, for example, a Foreign LLC.
To sell or transfer your business completely or partially to another.
To get into a legal business contract with other businesses or clients.

The document is required as much as the formation document. Hence, obtaining the Maryland Certificate of Status is needed.

FAQs

What is a Maryland Certificate of Status?

A Maryland Certificate of Status is a document issued by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) to verify the status of a business entity registered with the agency. It is commonly used to prove the legal existence of a business entity and/or to demonstrate that all taxes and fees due to the state of Maryland have been paid.

How do I obtain a Maryland Certificate of Status?

To obtain a Maryland Certificate of Status, you must submit an application directly to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The application must include the business entity’s name, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

How much does it cost to get a Maryland Certificate of Status?

The fee for a Maryland Certificate of Status is $50.

How long does it take to get a Maryland Certificate of Status?

The processing time for a Maryland Certificate of Status is usually between 1-3 business days.

Is a Certificate of Status the same thing as a Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, a Maryland Certificate of Status is also referred to as a Certificate of Good Standing.

What information is included on a Maryland Certificate of Status?

A Maryland Certificate of Status will include the business entity’s name, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

How long is a Maryland Certificate of Status valid?

A Maryland Certificate of Status is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Is a Maryland Certificate of Status required to do business in the state?

No, a Maryland Certificate of Status is not required to do business in the state.

What if I need to update my Maryland Certificate of Status?

You can request an updated Maryland Certificate of Status by submitting a new application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

What if I need to renew my Maryland Certificate of Status?

You can renew your Maryland Certificate of Status by submitting a new application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

Are there any additional fees for renewing a Maryland Certificate of Status?

Yes, the fee for renewing a Maryland Certificate of Status is the same as for obtaining a new one, which is $50.

Is a Maryland Certificate of Status required to file taxes in the state?

No, a Maryland Certificate of Status is not required to file taxes in the state.

What if my Maryland Certificate of Status has expired?

You must submit a new application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) to obtain a new Maryland Certificate of Status.

How do I change the name of my Maryland business entity?

To change the name of a Maryland business entity, you must submit an application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The application must include the new name of the business entity, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

How do I change the address of my Maryland business entity?

To change the address of a Maryland business entity, you must submit an application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The application must include the business entity’s name, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

How do I change the registered agent of my Maryland business entity?

To change the registered agent of a Maryland business entity, you must submit an application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The application must include the business entity’s name, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the new registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

How do I change the officers and directors of my Maryland business entity?

To change the officers and directors of a Maryland business entity, you must submit an application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The application must include the business entity’s name, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the new officers and directors.

How do I merge two Maryland business entities?

To merge two Maryland business entities, you must submit an application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The application must include the new name of the business entity, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

How do I dissolve a Maryland business entity?

To dissolve a Maryland business entity, you must submit an application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The application must include the business entity’s name, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

How do I reinstate a Maryland business entity?

To reinstate a Maryland business entity, you must submit an application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The application must include the business entity’s name, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

What documents must I submit with my application for a Maryland Certificate of Status?

You must submit an application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) for a Maryland Certificate of Status. The application must include the business entity’s name, the type of entity, the state of formation, the date of formation, the name of the registered agent, and the names of the officers and directors.

How do I check the status of my Maryland Certificate of Status application?

You can check the status of your Maryland Certificate of Status application by contacting the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

What is the mailing address for applications for a Maryland Certificate of Status?

The mailing address for applications for a Maryland Certificate of Status is

What is the phone number for the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation?

The phone number for the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation is (410) 767-1340.

What is the website for the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation?

The website for the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation is https://dat.maryland.gov/.

How can I find out more information about Maryland business entities?

You can find out more information about Maryland business entities by visiting the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website at https://dat.maryland.gov/.

Is there an online application for a Maryland Certificate of Status?

Yes, you can complete an online application for a Maryland Certificate of Status at the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website at https://dat.maryland.gov/.

Is there a form I can use to apply for a Maryland Certificate of Status?

Yes, you can find the application form for a Maryland Certificate of Status on the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website at https://dat.maryland.gov/.

What if I cannot find the information I need on the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website?

If you cannot find the information you need on the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website, you can contact the agency directly at (410) 767-1340.

How do I get a Maryland Certificate of Status?

You can obtain a Maryland Certificate of Status by submitting an online request through the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation website or by completing a paper form and submitting it to the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation.

Is there a fee for obtaining a Maryland Certificate of Status?

Yes, there is a fee of $25 for obtaining a Maryland Certificate of Status.

Why Maryland Certificate of Status is So Important

Having an up-to-date Certificate of Status on hand is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates to customers that a business is operating legally in the state of Maryland. This adds a layer of trust and professionalism, enhancing the reputation of the company in the eyes of consumers and business partners. Without this document, clients may question the legitimacy of a company, leading to lost opportunities and damaged relationships.

Furthermore, the Maryland Certificate of Status is often required when engaging in various business activities, such as entering into contracts, securing loans, or participating in government bids. Many stakeholders, including lenders, investors, and government agencies, rely on this certificate to verify a company’s standing and ensure compliance with state regulations. Without a current Certificate of Status, businesses may face delays and complications in conducting their operations, hindering their growth and success.

Additionally, maintaining an active Certificate of Status is vital for avoiding potential legal repercussions. Failure to comply with regulatory requirements or submit necessary filings can lead to fines, penalties, or even the suspension of a company’s operations. By staying up to date with the Certificate of Status, businesses can avoid costly legal disputes and maintain their good standing with state authorities.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, where competition is fierce and trust is paramount, having a Maryland Certificate of Status is more crucial than ever. It provides stakeholders with a quick and reliable way to verify a company’s legitimacy and compliance, building confidence in the brand and fostering strong relationships. For businesses looking to thrive in Maryland, ensuring the timely renewal and maintenance of this certificate is essential for long-term success.

In conclusion, the Maryland Certificate of Status may seem like a small piece of paper, but its significance cannot be understated. From building trust with customers to facilitating business transactions and maintaining legal compliance, this document plays a vital role in the smooth functioning of companies in the state. By prioritizing the upkeep of their Certificate of Status, businesses can set themselves up for success and establish a solid foundation for growth and prosperity.

Conclusion

The Certificate of Status is a vital document for any business entity in Maryland, as it enables you to expand your operations throughout the United States. It’s essential to provide accurate and truthful information in this document. If you plan to establish the same business in another state, obtaining a Certificate of Status is necessary.