Maryland Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Maryland's official Secretary of State business entity database (Maryland Business Express Entity Search (egov.maryland.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Maryland. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Maryland Business Database
Direct link to Maryland Business Express Entity Search - Free Maryland business search
How to Search Maryland Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Maryland Business Express Entity Search Website
Navigate to the official Maryland Business Express Entity Search portal at egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress/entitysearch or businessexpress.maryland.gov/. You can also access it through business.maryland.gov/information-for/maryland-businesses/. These are the free, government-operated databases for all Maryland business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), entity ID number, or registered agent name. The business name search allows partial matches and is the most frequently used method for finding Maryland businesses. You can also filter by entity type (Corporation, LLC, etc.) and status (Active, Inactive).
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Maryland's search is case-insensitive. Be aware that punctuation and spacing differences may affect search results.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, entity type, status, entity ID number, and formation date. Click on an entity name to view detailed information. Maryland's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully to find the correct entity.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows entity ID number, entity name, entity type, status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved, Forfeited), formation date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching.
Step 6: Verify Business Status and Good Standing
Check that the business status is 'Active' or shows 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Inactive', 'Dissolved', 'Forfeited', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Active status indicates the business is current with all required filings. Maryland requires annual reports for most business entities. You can also check the 'Maintain Good Standing Status' page at businessexpress.maryland.gov/manage/maintain-good-standing-status for information on maintaining active status.
Official Maryland Business Database
The Maryland Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Maryland Business Express Entity Search (egov.maryland.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Maryland.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations, Professional corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign), Professional LLCs
- • Partnerships: General partnerships, Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Maryland
- • Professional Entities: Professional corporations and professional LLCs
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Maryland?
To search for a Maryland business, visit the official Maryland Business Express Entity Search portal at egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress/entitysearch or businessexpress.maryland.gov/. You can also access it through business.maryland.gov/information-for/maryland-businesses/. You can search by business name, entity ID number, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Maryland.
What is the official Maryland Secretary of State business search website?
The official Maryland business entity search portal is the Business Express Entity Search, available at egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress/entitysearch or businessexpress.maryland.gov/. You can also access it through business.maryland.gov/information-for/maryland-businesses/. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Maryland, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Maryland Business Express database?
The Maryland Business Express Entity Search database provides entity ID number, entity name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved, Forfeited), formation date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images for viewing filed documents.
Is the Maryland business search free?
Yes, the Maryland Business Express Entity Search is completely free. The official search portals (egov.maryland.gov and businessexpress.maryland.gov) provide free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free to use.
How do I verify a Maryland business is legitimate?
To verify a Maryland business, search the Business Express Entity Search database for the business name, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the registered agent and address match what you expect, review recent filing history including annual reports, check the entity ID number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Maryland Business Express database for verification.
Can I search Maryland businesses by owner name?
The Maryland Business Express database allows you to search by registered agent name, which may include business owners. You can also search by business name or entity ID number. To find businesses by owner name, use the registered agent search function if the owner is listed as a registered agent, or check the officers and directors information in the detailed entity view.
What types of business entities are registered in Maryland?
Maryland registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), partnerships (General, Limited, Limited Liability), professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Maryland. All of these can be searched through the official Maryland Business Express Entity Search database.
How do I check if a business name is available in Maryland?
To check if a business name is available in Maryland, use the official Maryland Business Express Entity Search at egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress/entitysearch or businessexpress.maryland.gov/. Search for the exact name you want to use. If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names and consult with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation for official name availability confirmation before filing.
Does Maryland require annual reports?
Yes, Maryland requires annual reports for most business entities including corporations and LLCs. These reports must be filed with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation to maintain active status. Failure to file annual reports can result in the business being marked as 'Inactive', 'Forfeited', or 'Dissolved'. Check the entity's filing history in the business search database to verify current compliance.
What is an entity ID number in Maryland?
An entity ID number in Maryland is a unique identifier assigned to each business entity when it is registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. You can use this entity ID number to search for a specific business entity in the Maryland Business Express Entity Search database. The entity ID number appears in search results and detailed entity information.
How do I maintain good standing status in Maryland?
To maintain good standing status in Maryland, businesses must file annual reports on time, pay all required fees and taxes, keep registered agent information current, and comply with all state requirements. You can find detailed information on maintaining good standing at businessexpress.maryland.gov/manage/maintain-good-standing-status. Active status in the Business Express database indicates the business is in good standing.
What does 'Forfeited' status mean in Maryland?
A 'Forfeited' status in Maryland means the business entity has lost its right to conduct business in the state, typically due to failure to file annual reports or pay required fees. A forfeited business cannot legally operate until it is reinstated by filing all required reports and paying all outstanding fees and penalties. Check the entity's filing history for specific requirements to reinstate the business.
About Maryland Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Maryland SOS Business Search?
The Maryland Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Maryland. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in MD.
When you search "secretary of state md business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Maryland businesses.
What Information Can You Find?
- •Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- •Registration date and current status
- •Registered agent information
- •Principal office address
- •Officers and directors (for corporations)
- •Annual report filing status
Why Use the Official Maryland SOS Database?
The official Maryland Secretary of State database (Maryland Business Express Entity Search (egov.maryland.gov)) is the most reliable source for business entity information. It's free, updated in real-time, and provides authoritative data directly from the state government. Unlike third-party services that may charge fees or have outdated information, the official database ensures you're getting accurate, current business entity data for Maryland. Always verify business entities through the official MD SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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