Maryland Articles of Organization

How to File Your Maryland Articles of Organization

The Articles of Organization for Maryland are easy to fill out. We’ll help you understand what some terms mean and why you have to provide the information the form requires. We’ll walk you through the steps and help you compile the information needed.

Step 1: Submit Your LLC’s Official Name

Your new LLC’s name must not be misleadingly similar to that of another LLC, corporation, trade name, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership on file with the state. You can search on the Maryland Secretary of State’s office website for previously used names and compare them to your new company’s name, or use our business name checker to make sure your name is available.

Step 2: Adding a Copy of the Name Reservation Certificate

If you aren’t quite ready to start your business but you have thought of a great name that’s available, Maryland allows you to reserve a business name in advance. If you have reserved a name, you would need to attach a copy of this name reservation certificate to the Articles of Organization.

Step 3: List the Purpose of Your Business

The State of Maryland Articles of Organization form requires that you state what type of business you are planning to begin. Under this section of the form, you do not have to give a lot of detail about your new business. For example, if you’re going to be selling things you can merely write “retail.” Or many business experts say that all you have to write in is “any legal business” in order to not limit yourself.

Step 4: Provide the Name and Address of Your Resident Agent

A registered agent is someone whose sole job is to accept the service of legal documents on behalf of your new LLC. In Maryland, this is called a Resident Agent. Every new business in Maryland is required to designate someone as their resident agent. We can help you find one with our Registered Agent Service.

Step 5: Attach Any Needed Statements 

If the application requires any extra forms, such as the reservation of name certificate, it can be attached with the original Secretary of State Articles of Organization. 

Where to File Your State of Maryland Articles of Organization

You can file the Articles of Organization online after paying a small filing fee. You can also mail them in and pay the fee by check or money order. If you want to file them online, you have to first create a business account. Along with being able to register your new company with a business account, you can also manage your business documents, file annual reports, and file your taxes online.

What are the next steps? 

Once you file the proper form with the state, then you have officially created your new company. However, there are a few more things that you should consider doing to make everything run more smoothly and successfully.

Create an Operating Agreement

Although it is not required by the state for new LLCs, an LLC operating agreement is a document created by the members (owners) to establish the rules and processes for the company. It will dictate how the business should be managed and each member’s responsibilities. We can help you create your LLC’s Operating Agreement with our Operating Agreement Template. 

Apply for an EIN

An employer identification number (EIN) is an identification number for your company, similar to a social security number that individuals receive. You can get an EIN at the IRS website or with our simple-to-use Employer ID Number Service. An EIN is necessary to file taxes as well as to open business checking accounts and apply for business loans, among other things. 

We can help!

If at any time during this process you feel unsure, we can help! Our goal is to be here for you and help with creating your dream. Hopefully, with our help, you’ve spent less time on paperwork and more time growing your business. With services like our ZenBusiness Money App and our Worry-Free Compliance Service, we can help you keep your company legal and compliant every year.