Well, folks, if you’re thinkin’ ’bout startin’ up a business in Maryland or just need to check up on one, you’re gonna need to know how to find ’em! So, sit back, I’ll tell ya all ’bout it, real simple-like.

Now, Maryland’s got somethin’ called the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, or MD SDAT for short. It’s the place where all the important stuff about businesses gets recorded, like who owns what and if they’ve paid their taxes. The Secretary of State, bless their heart, makes sure all the important papers, like the Governor’s signatures and orders, are in order too. So, if you’re lookin’ to do business right, you might need to visit this place!
If you’re startin’ a business, or even if you’re just checkin’ up on one, you’re gonna need to do a little searchin’. Lucky for ya, Maryland’s got an easy tool for that. They got an online search tool where you can type in a business name and see if it’s already taken. That way, you don’t end up pickin’ a name that someone else already got. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
So, what do you do first? Well, first thing, you’ll need to head to Maryland’s Business Express website. That’s where you’ll find all the info you need. Once you’re there, look for the search tool and just type in the name you got in mind. If it’s available, that’s great! You’re one step closer to gettin’ your business started.
If the name’s already taken, don’t get upset now. You can try a different one or see if they’ll let you use the same name in a different way, like addin’ a middle word or somethin’. That’s how some folks get around it.
What happens after you find a good name? Well, then you need to think about reserving that name. If you want to hold it for a while before you set up your business, you can reserve it through the same website. Just follow the steps, and for a small fee, you can make sure no one else takes that name while you’re makin’ your plans.

What else do you need to know? When you’re all set with the name, you’ll also need to file your business papers. If you’re startin’ an LLC, which is a popular way of doin’ things, you’ve got to pay them annual fees. You can do it online or by paper, whichever you prefer. But let me tell ya, doin’ it online is a whole lot quicker!
To file online, you’ll head back to that Maryland Business Express site and follow their instructions. It’s as easy as pie once you get the hang of it! You’ll fill out your report, pay your fees, and boom! You’re all set for another year.
What if you need to make changes or submit resolutions? No worries, Maryland’s got you covered there too. They have links to other state agencies where you can take care of business, like changing your business address or submitting resolutions for your company. It’s all there, nice and easy.
In summary, here’s what you gotta do:
- Use the Maryland Business Express website to search for your business name.
- If the name’s available, reserve it if you need to.
- File your Annual Report and pay them fees, either online or by paper.
- If you need to make changes or submit resolutions, check out the other links provided.
That’s it! It’s really that simple. Just remember, when you’re startin’ out, doin’ things the right way from the start makes all the difference. You don’t wanna be tangled up in no legal mess later on. Good luck with your business venture, and don’t forget to check if that name’s available!

Tags:[Maryland business search, Secretary of State, Maryland Business Express, LLC, Business registration, Business name search, Annual Report, Maryland SDAT, Business tools]