Maryland Foreign Qualification

Aug 28, 2025

Foreign qualification with the Secretary of State in Maryland is the process by which a business that was originally formed in another state obtains permission to operate in Maryland. This allows the business to legally conduct operations in Maryland and ensures compliance with state laws and regulations.

There are 3 different ways to foreign qualify in Maryland depending on your legal entity type and tax classification. Follow the guide below to help you register with the Secretary of State in Maryland or use Mosey to do it.

Use Mosey to register with the Secretary of State in Maryland.

Maryland Foreign Qualification for LLP

If you are "doing business" in Maryland, you are required to file a Limited Liability Partnership Registration form with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Maryland provides a list of activities not constituting "doing business."

  1. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

    Maryland requires a Certificate of Good Standing (also known as a Certificate of Existence) from your home state issued within 60 days.

  2. Establish a Resident Agent

    You must have a resident agent in Maryland designated to accept service of process. Note: If no agent is named on your Limited Liability Partnership Registration form, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation will be appointed as your resident agent by default.

  3. Complete Limited Liability Partnership Registration Form

    Fill out the Limited Liability Partnership Registration Form.

  4. File the Limited Liability Partnership Registration Form

    Mail your completed the Limited Liability Partnership Registration Form, Certificate of Good Standing, and the filing fee to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division. Note: Checks should be made payable to "State Department of Assessments and Taxation."

Maryland Foreign Qualification for LLC

If you are "doing business" in Maryland, you are required to file a Foreign Limited Liability Company Registration form with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Maryland provides a list of activities not constituting "doing business."

  1. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

    Maryland requires a Certificate of Good Standing (also known as a Certificate of Existence) from your home state issued within 60 days.

  2. Establish a Resident Agent

    You must have a resident agent in Maryland designated to accept service of process. Note: If no agent is named on your Foreign Limited Liability Company Registration form, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation will be appointed as your resident agent by default.

  3. File Foreign Limited Liability Company Registration Form

    Log in to your Maryland Business Express account and select "New Business Filing" and "Register a New Business" to file your Foreign Limited Liability Company Registration form.

Maryland Foreign Qualification for Corporation

If you are "doing business" in Maryland, you are required to file a Foreign Corporation Qualification form with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Maryland provides a list of activities not constituting "doing business."

  1. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

    Maryland requires a Certificate of Good Standing (also known as a Certificate of Existence) from your home state issued within 60 days.

  2. Establish a Resident Agent

    You must have a resident agent in Maryland designated to accept service of process. Note: If no agent is named on your Foreign Corporation Qualification form, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation will be appointed as your resident agent by default.

  3. Register a Maryland Business Express Account

    Register an account for the Maryland Business Express service. You will use Maryland Business Express to file your Foreign Corporation Qualification form online.

  4. File Foreign Corporation Qualification Form

    Log in to your Maryland Business Express account and select "New Business Filing" and "Register a New Business" to file your Foreign Corporation Qualification form.

What else do I need to know?

Once you are registered with the Secretary of State, you may have additional requirements to maintain your "good standing" in the state. Failing to do so can result in fines, back taxes, and forfeiting certain priveleges within the state.

Maintaining a Registered Agent

Most states require that you have a registered agent that can receive important mail from the Secretary of State should they need to contact you. There are many commercial options available or you can use Mosey to be your registered agent and keep your information private in Maryland.

Annual Reports and Taxes

In addition to maintaining a registered agent, most states require you to file a report annually. Registration can also trigger state taxes such as a franchise tax or income tax. You can use Mosey to identify these additional requirements to maintain good standing in Maryland.

Maryland's Foreign Qualification Agencies

Review your compliance risks, free.

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

ERISA Law and Requirements: An Employer’s Guide

When you’re responsible for your employees’ well-being in the form of their retirement plans and health benefits, that’s where ERISA comes in. ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, is a piece of federal law with a broad reach. It sets minimum standards and safeguards designed to protect employees in the private sector participating in employer-sponsored retirement plans and benefit plans (like healthcare coverage).

Alex Kehayias | May 28, 2024

How To Issue a 1099: A Comprehensive Guide

Many business owners — particularly those who work with independent contractors and freelancers — are responsible for issuing a 1099 form. Understanding the ins and outs of different 1099s can help your business remain compliant with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a larger partnership, knowing when and how to issue these tax forms is crucial.

Gabrielle Sinacola | Jan 31, 2025

Paid Sick Leave Laws by State 2025

In many states, paid sick leave laws are not a luxury — they’re a legal requirement to ensure employees can take short absences from work to care for themselves or family members. While there are no federal paid sick leave laws, 15 states and the District of Columbia have adopted and legalized several laws of their own. That means private employers who operate in these states—or employ individuals who operate in them—must provide paid sick leave.

Gabrielle Sinacola | Jan 4, 2025

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.