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Researched and written by the Launchwise Review editorial team
Launchwise Review

Rankings of registered agents, LLC formation and foreign registration services in all 50 states.

Launch guide · Maryland · registered agent

3 Best Registered Agents in Maryland (2026)

Researched and written by the Launchwise Review editorial team
For a 2026 launch in Maryland, Launchwise Review grades registered agents this way: Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Maryland Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and MD Registered Agent.org ($99 a year). Mainstay Filing earns the top grade here: $149 a year, still $149 at renewal, and papers served on the company are scanned the same business day at no charge.
1
Our top pick in Maryland

1. Mainstay Filing: best for all fifty states

$149 a year, flat

Our mark 9.6 out of 10

Top grade, Mainstay Filing: one agent plan at $149 a year that works in every state, renewing at $149.

Launching a new company? The $199 yearly package also takes care of the Maryland filing and the annual report.

It runs $150 above Maryland Registered Agent.co across three years; the extra paperwork it handles is worth that to us.

In the price

  • An in-state street address on the public record
  • Papers served on the company scanned and uploaded the same business day, no charge
  • Free scanning for three government mailings a year
  • Compliance reminders

Pros

  • Papers served on the company are scanned the same business day, free
  • Your first three government letters each year are scanned free
  • Works for LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
  • $149 a year and it does not rise

Less good

  • The agent plan alone costs $50 a year more than Maryland Registered Agent.co
  • Without the formation package, you file the annual report yourself
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the Mainstay Filing launch review
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Best for a Maryland-only company

2. Maryland Registered Agent.co: best for the smallest annual bill we rank here

$99 a year, flat

Our mark 9.3 out of 10

Next up is Maryland Registered Agent.co: a Maryland specialist at $99 a year, supplying an in-state street address for the registered office.

Maryland Registered Agent.co puts its in-state street address on file as the company's registered office and scans served legal papers to you.

In the price

  • A registered office address inside the state
  • Served documents are scanned so you can read them online

Pros

  • A $99 yearly plan with a steady renewal price
  • Mainstay Filing charges more each year
  • Forms LLCs too, with a free first agent year

Less good

  • You still file the Business Entity Annual Report
  • Made for Maryland; other states need their own agent
Visit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the Maryland Registered Agent.co launch review
3
Maryland-focused

3. MD Registered Agent.org: best for Maryland specialists

$99 a year, flat

Our mark 9.0 out of 10

Rounding out the list is MD Registered Agent.org: a Maryland specialist at $99 a year, supplying an in-state street address for the registered office.

MD Registered Agent.org gives the company an in-state street address as its registered office, and each legal paper served there is scanned into your account.

MD Registered Agent.org copies Maryland Registered Agent.co on price and features, so the pair is close to level.

In the price

  • A state street address on file as the registered office
  • You get scans of served legal papers online

Pros

  • $99 yearly, held steady at renewal
  • Formation comes with a free agent year one
  • Costs less per year than Mainstay Filing

Less good

  • You still file the Business Entity Annual Report
  • Made for Maryland; other states need their own agent
Visit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the MD Registered Agent.org launch review

The 3 grades at a glance

Place Company Launch grade Per year At renewal Best fit Go
1 Mainstay Filing 9.6 $149 $149/yr An agent for every state you may enter Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Maryland Registered Agent.co 9.3 $99 $99/yr The lowest yearly price among the picks we rank here Visit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 MD Registered Agent.org 9.0 $99 $99/yr The lowest yearly price among the picks we rank here Visit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
The 10-point grades are editorial, built from the criteria on How we rank. They are not customer ratings.

Maryland registered agent cost in 2026: first year, renewals, three-year total

Company Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Three years, total Renewal price matches
Mainstay Filing $149 $149 $149 $447 Yes
Maryland Registered Agent.co $99 $99 $99 $297 Yes
MD Registered Agent.org $99 $99 $99 $297 Yes
Prices were copied from each company's own pages on November 12, 2026. Maryland's own fees do not change with your choice of agent.

The thinking behind the order

What made the call in Maryland was launch paperwork handled. The grading method sets cost to launch and stay at 26%, launch paperwork handled at 26% and renewal behavior, state match and price transparency at 48% combined.

Mainstay's plan covers more ground: papers served on the company are scanned the same business day at no charge, the price is the same in all fifty states, and three government letters a year are scanned free. Maryland Registered Agent.co costs less, and the grades are close.

Every criterion and weight is listed on How we rank.

Maryland resident agent rules, straight from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a Maryland address on file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; P.O. boxes are not accepted. The LLC also keeps a principal office in Maryland. Law behind it: Md. Code, Corps. & Ass'ns § 1-101(x).

Maryland Business Entity Annual Report: date and fee

Put the Business Entity Annual Report on your Maryland calendar every year. Count on a $300 state charge, with the deadline at April 15. Your resident agent receives the state's notices about it.

Quick answers about Maryland registered agents

Do I have to line up a resident agent before launching a Maryland LLC?

Yes. Put a resident agent with a physical Maryland address on the paperwork, because the state will not accept an LLC without one.

What should I budget each year for a Maryland registered agent?

Expect $99 to $149 a year, and each company keeps its price at renewal.

Could I just serve as my own resident agent?

Often yes, if you meet the state's conditions. A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC or limited partnership.

When does the Maryland Business Entity Annual Report come due?

Put April 15 on your calendar. The state asks $300.

Which registered agents are graded on this page?

Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Maryland Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and MD Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), top grade first.

Which Maryland registered agent should a new company pick first?

Mainstay Filing, because the price stays $149 a year if you stay put or expand, and your first three government letters each year are scanned free.

Read next

Sources and dates

  1. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, dated August 2026
  2. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, dated August 2026
  3. Maryland report due date, dated August 2026
  4. Md. Code, Corporations & Associations sec. 4A-202, dated August 2026
  5. Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source, dated October 2026
  6. Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source, dated October 2026
  7. Maryland registered agent statute), dated October 2026
  8. From Mainstay Filing: Maryland service page, copied November 12, 2026
  9. From Maryland Registered Agent.co: pricing and service pages, copied November 12, 2026
  10. From MD Registered Agent.org: pricing and service pages, copied November 12, 2026