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

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Northwest ($39 + state fee)
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You can get an LLC in Maryland in 2 weeks if you file online (or 7-10 weeks if you file by mail). If you need your Maryland LLC faster, you can file by mail and pay for expedited processing.

Maryland LLC Processing Times

Normal LLC processing time:COVID LLC processing time:Expedited LLC:
Maryland LLC by mail: 5-8 weeks (plus mail time)No delaysSame-day ($50 extra)
Maryland LLC online 2 weeksNo delaysNot available

What is LLC processing time? This is the time it takes for the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation to review your LLC filing and enter it in their system. After your LLC is approved, the state sends back your approved documents electronically or by mail.

Maryland LLC Approval Times

How long does it take to get an LLC in MarylandMail filings: In total, mail filing approvals for Maryland LLCs take 7-10 weeks. This accounts for the 5-8 week processing time, plus the time your documents are in the mail.

Online filings: In total, online filing approvals for Maryland LLCs take 2 weeks (aka 10 business days). Since you can download your documents as soon as they’re approved by the Maryland SDAT, there is no extra transit time.

What is LLC approval time? This is the total turnaround time to get your LLC approved from start to finish. It includes the processing time plus any transit time to and from the state.

Maryland expedited LLC

Maryland offers an expedited filing for mail filings only:

  • Processing within 7 business days for $50 extra

If you choose this expedited option, your LLC will be approved in about 3 weeks.

Is there an expedited option for online filings? No, Maryland considers all online filings to already be “expedited”, so you can’t pay more and have it approved faster than 10 business days.

Note: Expedited processing fees are in addition to the LLC filing fee.

What’s the fastest way to get an LLC in Maryland?

The fastest way to get an LLC in Maryland is to file it yourself by mail and pay for expedited processing. This option has the fastest approval time.

Should I hire an LLC filing service in Maryland?

Hiring an LLC filing service isn’t going to get your LLC approved any faster. Filing companies still have to wait for the state to approve your LLC.

However, the benefit of hiring a filing company isn’t to reduce LLC approval time. It’s to have someone else take care of the paperwork for you (and make sure it’s filed correctly).

Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)

(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)

Why we recommend Northwest? Northwest Registered Agent has been in business for over 20 years and they have the best customer support. Our favorite thing about Northwest is that you can use their address throughout your LLC filing. This can provide you with additional privacy by keeping your address off public records. No other filing company offers this.

Even though Northwest is our favorite company, you may want to look at other companies and compare your options. Check out Best LLC Services in Maryland for additional recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an LLC cost?

The one-time cost to start an LLC varies by state. There are also LLC Annual Fees to maintain your business that vary by state.

Here are the costs for a Maryland LLC:

RequirementCost
LLC Name$0
Registered Agent$0 or $125 per year
Articles of Organization$150
Operating Agreement$0 (free on our site)
EIN Number$0 (free through IRS)
Annual Report$300
Taxesvaries (filed and/or paid every year)

How to start an LLC in Maryland?

Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Maryland:

  1. Search your Maryland LLC name
  2. Choose your Maryland Registered Agent
  3. File Maryland Articles of Organization with the state
  4. Sign your Maryland LLC Operating Agreement
  5. Get an EIN for your Maryland LLC
  6. Open an LLC bank account
How long does it take to get an LLC in every state?

Important: Just because one state is faster than another doesn’t mean you should form your LLC there. If you form your LLC out-of-state, you’ll need to register it as a foreign LLC in your home state. For more information, please see the best state to form an LLC.

 
Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.

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2 comments on “How long does it take to get an LLC in Maryland?”

Disclaimer: Nothing on this page shall be interpreted as legal or tax advice. Rules and regulations vary by location. They also change over time and are specific to your situation. Furthermore, this comment section is provided so people can share their thoughts and experience. Please consult a licensed professional if you have legal or tax questions.

  1. Thanks for the info.
    Do you know if this is true for LCPCs
    in MD?
    Is there a separate approval that I need to get from tge Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists?
    My lcpc license is in good standing.

    Thanks
    Take care ..

    • Hi Lisa, the timelines on this page are just for the LLC (or PLLC) approval time. And they don’t account for the extra approval time needed from the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.

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