Whether you’re searching for the right business name or registering your LLC with the Maryland DAT, we can help. We’ve got all the information you need on how to conduct a Maryland corporation search, plus LLC naming rules, trade names and registering your business.
General Rules for LLC Names
These rules typically apply to all LLCs, regardless of which state they're formed in.
Specific Rules for Maryland Business Names
The general rules listed above are also rules enforced by the state of Maryland and are detailed in the state's code on Corporations and Associations, Title 1, Subtitle 5, Section § 1-502.
How to Come Up with a Business Name
The perfect business name can be elusive. We have a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but essentially, you'll want to choose a name that will:
- Appeal to your customers
- Be memorable enough to stand out
- Best represent your product or services
- Not be used by another business
Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free Business Name Generator.
Maryland Business Entity Search
Once you have an idea of the business name you’d like to use, you’ll need to complete a Maryland business entity search to make sure the name isn't already taken by another business.
Bizee offers a fast, simple and convenient tool to look up your proposed business name. The Maryland DAT also has a tool through which you can perform a Maryland entity search to see if someone already has your desired business name.
Find Out Whether Your Preferred Business Name is Available in Maryland With Bizee’s Free Tool
Check Your LLC Name![Business Name Search Tool](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Business%20Name%20Search%20Tool.png&w=1080&q=75)
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your Maryland LLC name doesn't infringe on the trademark or service mark of another business. The easiest way to make sure your proposed business name doesn't infringe is to carry out a trademark search through Bizee. If no one else is using it, you can even register it as a trademark yourself.
Make Sure Your Business is Starting Off on the Right Foot When It Comes to Intellectual Property.
Let Bizee run a trademark search for you.
Bizee’s Trademark and Registration Service![Trademark](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Trademark.png&w=1080&q=75)
Maryland DBA or Assumed Name
You may do business under a name other than your legal LLC name. In some states, this is called a DBA (doing business as), fictitious, or assumed name. In Maryland, it’s called a trade name. You might choose to use a trade name for a variety of reasons.
For example, your business might be called Maryland Commercial Real Estate Holding Company, LLC and you have a chain called Baltimore Property Rentals. You should file a trade name to let the Maryland DAT know. In Maryland, you do that with the Trade Name Application, or you can have Bizee do it on your behalf through our DBA service.
Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark. Learn more about trademark vs. DBA.
Register and Manage a Trade Name or DBA Through Our Easy-To-Use Service
Bizee’s DBA Service![Assumed business name document](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2Fassumed-business-name-phone.png&w=1920&q=75)
Register Your Business Name with the Maryland DAT
Once you’ve completed a Maryland business name search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and decided whether you need a trade name, you can register your LLC name. There are a couple of ways to do this.
- If you don’t want to form your LLC right now, you can reserve the business name with the Maryland DAT. You'll need to complete a Corporate Name Reservation Application. Once you do so, your name will be reserved for 30 days. You don't need to reserve a name if you're forming your business right away.
- If you’re ready to start your LLC, you can file your Articles of Organization with the Maryland DAT or have Bizee do it for you.
Bizee Can Handle All Your Formation Paperwork With the State of Maryland for You — and We’ll Do It for Free!
Form an LLC in Maryland for $0 + State Fee ($100)
Start Your LLC Now![Business Formation](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FBusiness%20Formation.jpeg&w=1920&q=75)
FAQs About Maryland Business Names
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