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Register Your California LLC in Maryland

Step-by-step foreign qualification requirements, fees, and filing instructions for California LLCs expanding into Maryland.

Cost Summary

Maryland filing fee
$100
California Certificate of Status
$5
Annual obligation in Maryland
$300/year franchise tax
Estimated year 1 total
$405
Note: Year 1 total includes the $100 filing fee in Maryland plus the $5 Certificate of Status fee from California. Registered agent fees (typically $100-$200/year) are not included.
California data verified Apr 18, 2026 · sos.ca.gov
Maryland data verified May 1, 2026 · dat.maryland.gov

How to register your California LLC in Maryland

1

Check name availability in Maryland

Before filing, verify that your LLC name (or a distinguishable variation) is available in Maryland. If your exact name is already taken, you may need to register under a fictitious or assumed name.

Check the Maryland Secretary of State website for name availability search.

2

Get a Certificate of Status from California

Maryland requires a Certificate of Status from California to prove your LLC is in good standing. The fee is $5. No expiration date; third parties typically require certificate dated within 30-90 days.

3

File the Registration of Foreign LLC in Maryland

Submit your application along with the Certificate of Status and the $100 filing fee. Processing time is 7-10 business days. Expedited processing available for $50.

Maryland filing portal ↗
4

Appoint a registered agent in Maryland

You must designate a registered agent with a physical address in Maryland to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC. This is required as part of the foreign qualification application.

Ongoing compliance in Maryland

Annual report
$300/year franchise tax
Report due
April 15
Processing time
7-10 business days
Expedite
$50
Note: The $300 is technically a personal property tax return fee, not a franchise tax. Maryland may waive this fee for businesses that file online via Maryland Business Express. Verify current waiver status before budgeting.

Activities that do NOT require registration in Maryland

  • Maintaining or defending a lawsuit, administrative proceeding, or arbitration
  • Holding meetings of members or managers, or carrying on internal company affairs
  • Maintaining bank accounts
  • Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, or registration of the LLC's own securities
  • Selling through independent contractors
  • Soliciting or obtaining orders if orders require acceptance outside the state before becoming contracts
  • Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, or security interests in real or personal property
  • Securing or collecting debts, or enforcing mortgages or security interests
  • Owning real or personal property
  • Conducting an isolated transaction completed within 30 days that is not part of repeated similar transactions
  • Transacting business in interstate commerce

Maryland's Limited Liability Company Act, codified at Title 4A of the Corporations and Associations Article, lists activities at Section 4A-1009 ('Doing business'). NOTE: Maryland's safe harbors list is non-standard. It does not match the typical RMBCA enumeration (omits independent contractors, soliciting orders, interstate commerce, isolated transactions) and includes foreclosure-specific activities not found in other states. Subsection (b) carves IN ownership of income-producing property as transacting business. Maryland uses 'doing business' rather than 'transacting business.' The list applied here is the standard RULLCA list and may need state-specific tailoring.

Need a registered agent in Maryland?

A registered agent is required for foreign qualification. These services operate in all 50 states.

Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗
Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included
Registered Agents Inc
$200/year · Includes annual report filing
Visit site ↗
Harbor Compliance
$99/year · Full-service compliance option
Visit site ↗

Not sure which service fits? Our full Northwest Registered Agent review and Harbor Compliance review cover pricing, renewal terms, and where each one fits.

Check your full compliance

Use our free tool to check if you need to register in additional states.

Start free compliance check ↗

This page provides general information based on publicly available state requirements. It is not legal advice. Verify all fees and requirements with the Maryland Secretary of State before filing.