How to Name Your LLC in Maryland

Filing fee: $100 (standard Articles of Organization)

Processing time: 4–6 weeks standard; expedited options available

State agency: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)

Annual report due: April 15 each year

State tax rate: 8.25% corporate income tax; pass-through taxation for most LLCs

Naming your Maryland LLC involves 4 steps: confirm the name is available through the Maryland Business Express Business Entity Search, make sure it follows SDAT's naming rules, optionally reserve it for $25, and include the correct name in your Articles of Organization when you file. Getting the name right before you file saves time and avoids rejection.

Maryland LLC naming rules

Maryland requires every LLC name to include the words "Limited Liability Company" or an accepted abbreviation — "LLC" or "L.L.C." That designator must appear in the name you file on your Articles of Organization.

Beyond the suffix, your name must be distinguishable from every other entity already on file with SDAT. That means no exact matches and nothing so similar it could confuse the public. Maryland also bars names that imply a purpose the LLC isn't authorized for — words associated with banking, insurance, or other regulated industries are off-limits unless you have the required approvals. And your name can't suggest it's a different type of entity, like a corporation or limited partnership.

The name rules that catch people off guard are usually the "misleadingly similar" standard and the regulated-industry restrictions — both are worth checking before you get attached to a name.

How to search for a Maryland business name

Run a Maryland business name search through the Business Entity Search tool on Maryland Business Express — it's free and searches SDAT's full database of registered entities. You can search by full or partial name, which helps you catch similar names that might create a conflict, not just exact duplicates.

To run the search: go to Maryland Business Express, open the Business Entity Search, select "Business Name" as your search type, enter all or part of your proposed LLC name, and click Search. Review the results for any names that are the same as or close to yours.

A clear search result doesn't guarantee your name will be approved — SDAT makes the final call when you file. But searching first is the best way to avoid a rejection.

How to reserve a Maryland LLC name

If you've found an available name but aren't ready to file your Articles of Organization yet, you can reserve it with SDAT. File the Corporate Name Reservation Application with a nonrefundable $25 fee. If you need it processed faster, expedited service is available for an additional $20.

Before submitting the reservation form, confirm the name is available using the Business Entity Search on Maryland Business Express. The reservation holds the name while you prepare your formation documents.

Maryland DBA and trade names

Your LLC can do business under a name that's different from its legal name. In Maryland, this is called a trade name — sometimes referred to as a DBA (doing business as) or assumed name in other states. The trade name is what customers see; your legal LLC name stays on file with SDAT.

Trade name registration in Maryland is handled through SDAT. You'll need to file a trade name application and pay the applicable state fee. Once registered, you can use the trade name on signage, marketing, and bank accounts while your LLC's legal name remains unchanged.

Trademarks and service marks

A clear SDAT search only tells you the name isn't already registered as a Maryland business entity. It doesn't tell you whether the name infringes on a federally registered trademark. Before you commit to a name, search the USPTO's trademark database at uspto.gov to check for existing marks.

Using a name that's already trademarked — even if SDAT approves it — can put your business on the hook for trademark infringement. If you're unsure whether your name is clear, a trademark attorney can help you figure out the risk before you file.

How to change your Maryland LLC name

To change your Maryland LLC's legal name, file Articles of Amendment with SDAT. The amendment must state your LLC's current legal name, confirm the charter is being amended to change the name, and include the exact new name with the required LLC designator.

Before filing, confirm the new name is available using the Business Entity Search on Maryland Business Express. Once the amendment is ready and signed by an authorized person for the LLC, you can submit it through the Maryland Business Express online portal or mail the paper form to SDAT.