Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.
How to File
1
Obtain the Articles of Amendment Form
Download Form 1 (Articles of Amendment) from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website at https://sos.maryland.gov or request it by mail.
2
Complete the Articles of Amendment
Fill out the form with your LLC's current information and the new registered agent's name and Maryland street address. The new agent must have a physical Maryland address, not a P.O. Box.
3
Obtain Registered Agent Consent
Ensure your new registered agent agrees to serve and signs the appropriate consent form. If using a service company, they'll typically handle this step for you.
4
Submit the Filing with Fee
Mail the completed Articles of Amendment with a $100 filing fee to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, or file online through the Maryland Business Express portal.
5
Update Internal Records
Once approved, update your LLC's internal records, operating agreement, and notify banks, vendors, and other business contacts of the registered agent change.
Ready to file your annual report?
Go directly to the Maryland Secretary of State portal.
Your current registered agent is moving out of Maryland or closing their business
You're switching to a professional registered agent service for better reliability
Your registered agent is no longer responsive or providing adequate service
You need to update from a personal address to a business address for privacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Maryland processes registered agent changes in 7-10 business days for mail filings submitted to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (MDAT) and 1-3 business days for online filings through Maryland Business Express. To change your registered agent, you'll file Form MLLC or the appropriate entity form with the MDAT along with a $50 filing fee. Expedited processing is available for an additional $50 fee, reducing processing time to 2-3 business days. This timeline matters because your LLC remains liable for legal documents served on your old agent until the change takes effect officially. During the transition, ensure your old agent forwards any received documents immediately. To proceed immediately, create an account on Maryland Business Express at mdat.maryland.gov to file your registered agent change online and receive confirmation within 48 hours.
Maryland charges a $100 filing fee to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (MDAT) when you submit Articles of Amendment to change your registered agent. This fee is non-refundable regardless of processing time.
If you file the amendment yourself online through Maryland's Business Express portal, you'll pay only the $100 state fee. However, if you use a registered agent service company or attorney, expect additional charges between $50–$200 depending on the provider's service tier.
This $100 fee applies whether you're replacing your current registered agent, changing the registered office address, or both. The amendment must be filed before your change takes effect, so delaying the filing keeps your old agent officially responsible for legal documents.
Start by logging into Maryland's Business Express to file your Articles of Amendment immediately, or contact your current registered agent to initiate the transition process.
Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in Maryland if you maintain a physical street address (not a PO box) within the state and are consistently available during business hours to receive legal documents and service of process. However, this carries significant practical implications. As your own registered agent, you're personally responsible for accepting lawsuits, subpoenas, and regulatory notices—missing a deadline could result in a default judgment against your LLC. You must file Form FORM-038 (Application for Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office) with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (DDAT) to make this change, with a filing fee of $50. Many Maryland LLC owners choose professional registered agent services instead to maintain privacy, ensure documents are never missed, and avoid the liability exposure of personal service. To proceed, obtain Form FORM-038 from the DDAT website and submit it along with your $50 fee before your next renewal deadline.
No, properly filing the Articles of Amendment (Form CLLC-002) with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation will not affect your LLC's good standing. However, this distinction is critical: failing to maintain a valid registered agent—or allowing the position to lapse—triggers automatic administrative dissolution under Maryland Code, Business Regulation Article §4A-601. The MDAT must receive your amendment filing before your current agent's authority ends to avoid any gap in representation. If dissolution occurs, you'll face reinstatement fees and potential loss of business privileges in Maryland. The practical implication is that timing matters; submit your Articles of Amendment at least 10 business days before your existing agent's departure. You can file online through the MDAT portal or by mail. Contact the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation's LLC division at 410-767-1350 to confirm receipt and verify your registered agent change is officially recorded.
Maryland requires you to file Form MGIS-3 (Statement Regarding Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office) exclusively through Maryland Business Express at https://sos.maryland.gov—mail filing is not accepted for agent changes. The online portal processes changes within 1–2 business days, whereas paper submissions are no longer an option as of 2026. You'll need your LLC's charter number and Maryland tax ID to complete the filing. The State Department of Assessments and Taxation charges a $25 filing fee, payable by credit card during submission. This online-only requirement means delays from traditional mail are eliminated, allowing your new registered agent to take effect almost immediately. Access Maryland Business Express, select the entity name services option, and choose the registered agent amendment form to begin the process.
