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Plain English · Maryland

3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Maryland (2026), Plainly Answered

For foreign registration services in Maryland, our 2026 order is Maryland Registered Agent.co ($199), MD Registered Agent.org ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199). Every option pays Maryland's $100; three years of service run $397 to $497.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Quick answer

State fee to register
$100
Proof from home state?
Yes, needed (60 days old at most)
Ongoing filing
$300, Business Entity Annual Report and Personal Property Return, Form 1
Our picks, in order
Maryland Registered Agent.co, MD Registered Agent.org then Mainstay Filing

Our Maryland list

Ranked by how we choose: three-year cost first, then what the price covers.
1First choice

1. Maryland Registered Agent.co: best for one extra state

First year $199, then $99 a year

We put Maryland Registered Agent.co at the top because it charges $199 to register with a first year of agent service, then $99 a year.

Cost decides it: three years here come in under Mainstay Filing.

The price covers

  • Application prepared and sent
  • Year-one agent

Upsides

  • Then $99 yearly
  • No agent fee in year one
  • $199 to register

What to weigh

  • One-state service
Visit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2In-state

2. MD Registered Agent.org: best for one extra state

First year $199, then $99 a year

Our number 2 is MD Registered Agent.org, since it charges $199 to register with a first year of agent service, then $99 a year.

Maryland Registered Agent.co charges the same, so this one is a close second.

The price covers

  • Application prepared and sent
  • Year-one agent

Upsides

  • No agent fee in year one
  • $199 to register
  • Then $99 yearly

What to weigh

  • One-state service
Visit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Works in any state

3. Mainstay Filing: best for growing companies

First year $199, then $149 a year

Mainstay Filing comes third: it costs $199 plus Maryland's fee, with a free first year of resident agent service and $149 a year after.

The $100 three-year difference against Maryland Registered Agent.co is why it sits lower.

Year two on, plan on $149 a year for the resident agent.

The price covers

  • State registration
  • One price nationwide

Upsides

  • One price anywhere
  • Service fee $199

What to weigh

  • Higher agent renewal ($149)
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The picks side by side

#ServiceFirst-year priceRenewal priceOver three yearsYou get
1Maryland Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397application prepared and sent; Year-one agentVisit Maryland Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2MD Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397application prepared and sent; Year-one agentVisit MD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497state registration; one price nationwideVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's published prices, November 12, 2026. State fees come on top and do not change by pick.

Common questions

Who has to register here?

An LLC from another state registers before it transacts business in Maryland.

Without it: the courts stay closed to its claims (4A-1007(a)).

October 2026 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

How much should I budget?

On your own, $100. With a service, add $199.

Three years of state fees, registration included: $700. October 2026 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

What gets filed?

What you file: the Limited Liability Company Registration (For non-Maryland Limited Liability Company). Where: the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division.

Include written proof of existence from the home state, equivalent to a certificate of good standing no older than 60 days.

Is there a yearly filing?

The Business Entity Annual Report and Personal Property Return, Form 1, at $300.

When: April 15.

What put the first pick first?

Because of three-year cost: Maryland Registered Agent.co does best there, and it counts for 35%.

The two biggest criteria are three-year cost and what the price takes off your plate, at 35% and 30%.

$397 over three years for Maryland Registered Agent.co, which is $100 under Mainstay Filing.

The criteria in full

Requirements, cited

RuleAnswerSource
Registration fee$100October 2026 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
Home-state documentYes, needed, 60 daysOctober 2026 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
Business Entity Annual Report and Personal Property Return, Form 1$300October 2026 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
Three-year state total$700Total of these fees
We add the filing, two years of reports and any minimum tax for the three-year line. Publication and other variable costs are excluded.

People also ask

Is one agent enough for both states?

Yes, each state follows its own rule. A one-state service covers only this state.

Over three years, what does each charge?

Maryland Registered Agent.co $397, MD Registered Agent.org $397 and Mainstay Filing $497, before state fees.

Are the fees official?

Maryland's own publications for the state side, published company prices for the rest.

Must I hire anyone?

No law requires one. A service is a convenience.

Can someone else file the registration?

All the picks on this page file it; state fees are identical.

Which foreign registration service would you pick in Maryland?

Maryland Registered Agent.co tops our list because three years of service fees come to $397; MD Registered Agent.org and Mainstay Filing come next.

Cited sources

  1. August 2026: Maryland State Department of Assessments, dat.maryland.gov
  2. August 2026: Maryland State Department of Assessments, dat.maryland.gov
  3. August 2026: Maryland report due date, dat.maryland.gov
  4. August 2026: Md, mgaleg.maryland.gov
  5. October 2026: Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, mgaleg.maryland.gov
  6. October 2026: Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, egov.maryland.gov
  7. October 2026: Maryland registered agent statute, mgaleg.maryland.gov
  8. October 2026: Maryland Business Express, egov.maryland.gov
  9. October 2026: Corporations and Associations § 4A-1002, mgaleg.maryland.gov
  10. October 2026: Corporations and Associations § 4A-1009, mgaleg.maryland.gov
  11. October 2026: Corporations and Associations § 4A-1007, mgaleg.maryland.gov
  12. October 2026: Tax-Property § 11-101, annual report, mgaleg.maryland.gov
  13. November 12, 2026: Maryland Registered Agent.co pricing page
  14. November 12, 2026: MD Registered Agent.org pricing page
  15. November 12, 2026: Mainstay Filing Maryland service page