Maryland Limited Liability Company Articles of Organization

Last Revised: August 8, 2019.

About this Form

An articles of organization form is the document that one must complete and submit to the state to establish the creation of an LLC within Maryland. It sets forth the name of the proposed company and contact information for its registered agent, among other details. It may include other provisions, provided that they are not inconsistent with state law. The purchased version of this form is guaranteed compliant with the laws of the state of Maryland. It comes complete with instructions and filing information for creating an LLC within the state.

Accepted Filing Methods

Maryland accepts the filing of an articles of organization form via U.S. mail, walk-in, or online via the Secretary of State's online system for e-filing documents.

Name Availability & Requirements

The requirements for naming an LLC within the state are set forth in Md. Code, Corp. & Assoc., § 1-502(b). The name of the LLC must include: the words "limited liability company"; "L.L.C."; "LLC"; "L.C."; or "LC". If a limited liability company is a benefit limited liability company, the name of the benefit limited liability company must include the words "benefit limited liability company"; "Benefit L.L.C."; "Benefit LLC"; "Benefit L.C."; or "Benefit LC". The name must be distinguishable from those of all other entities on file with the state. It may not infringe on any active trademark or service mark registered with the state or the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. One may search online Maryland's trademark database and the USPTO's trademark database.

One may determine the availability of a proposed business name for use within Maryland by querying the state's official Business Entity Search tool.

Required Fees

Maryland imposes a fee of $100 for the filing and processing of an articles of organization form. The state imposes a fee of $20 plus $1 per page for the issuance of a certified copy of the filing and an additional fee of $20 for the issuance of a certificate of status at the time of filing.

Statutory Authority & Requirements

The statutory authority for an LLC within the state is the Maryland Limited Liability Company Act (Md. Code, Corp. & Assoc., § 4A-101 et seq.).

The statutory requirements for a valid articles of organization filing are codified in Md. Code, Corp. & Assoc., § 4A-201 and § 4A-204. The text of the statutes read as follows:

§ 4A-202.  Formation

(a)  In general. --  Any person may form a limited liability company by causing articles of organization to be executed and filed for record with the Department.
(b)  Time of formation. --  A limited liability company is formed at the time when the Department accepts the articles of organization for record or at a later time specified in the articles, if in either case there has been substantial compliance with this title.

§ 4A-204.  Articles of organization

(a)  Contents. --  The articles of organization shall set forth:
(1)  The name of the limited liability company;
(2)  The address of its principal office in this State and the name and address of its resident agent; and
(3)  Any other provision, not inconsistent with law, which the members elect to set out in the articles, including, but not limited to, a statement that the authority of members to act for the limited liability company solely by virtue of their being members is limited.