Comparison of the top registered agent services for Maryland LLCs and corporations · Updated 2026-04-30
When evaluating registered agent services in Maryland, the practical decision factors are pricing, privacy protection, and dependable handling of legal mail. Md. Code, Corps. & Ass’ns §4A-210 requires that the agent maintain a physical street address within Maryland and accept service of process during regular business hours. Below, we rank the four registered agent services we evaluated for Maryland-based LLCs and corporations in 2026.
Northwest Registered Agent
Physical-address-only operations; mail forwarding; same-day filing.
ZenBusiness
Pairs RA with LLC formation packages.
LegalZoom
Largest brand; phone-based support; bundled legal services.
Mid-tier pricing with full feature parity; suitable for businesses focused on cost-efficiency.
Maryland-specific option: Maryland Registered Agent.co operates exclusively in Maryland and specializes in same-state filings. Best for businesses that want a state-focused provider with local-only operations.
| Filing | Cost | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $100 | annually by April 15 (Personal Property Return) |
| Annual Report | $300 | annually by April 15 (Personal Property Return) |
| DBA / Fictitious Name | $25 | Every 5 years |
| Change of Registered Agent | $25 | — |
Source: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation · Statute reference Md. Code, Corps. & Ass'ns §4A-210
For most Maryland LLCs, Northwest Registered Agent ranks first on privacy and Mainstay Filing offers the best value at $99/year. State-specific options like Maryland Registered Agent.co specialize in same-state filings.
Commercial services range $50–$250 per year. Mainstay Filing is $99/yr; Northwest is $125/yr; ZenBusiness is $199/yr; LegalZoom is $249/yr.
Yes. File a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation for $25. Most commercial services handle the change paperwork for you.
National services like Mainstay Filing and Northwest operate across all 50 states with consistent pricing and online dashboards. State-specific providers (like Maryland Registered Agent.co) focus exclusively on one state and often handle same-state-only filings faster.
Yes — under Md. Code, Corps. & Ass'ns §4A-210, every Maryland LLC must designate and maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Maryland.
RA Ratings independently reviews registered agent services. We may earn a commission from sponsored links; this does not affect rankings or editorial selection. Verify all filing fees with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation before submitting paperwork.