‹ Maryland Filing Guide
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Maryland
The form, the fee, and how to file it.
Filing details
- Form name
- Resolution to Change Principal Office or Resident Agent
- Filing fee
- $25
- Online filing
- Yes
- Processing time
- 6-8 weeks standard processing; 7-10 business days for expedited ($50 extra); same-day Rush via online for $325
- Secretary of State
- Maryland SOS ↗
Note: Maryland uses the term "resident agent" rather than "registered agent" - they refer to the same role. File the Resolution to Change Principal Office or Resident Agent form with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) through Maryland Business Express, by mail, or in person. The base fee is $25, but Maryland Business Express adds a 3% convenience surcharge on online payments. Standard mail processing is notoriously slow - 6 to 8 weeks. Pay $50 expedite to get processing in 7-10 business days. The new resident agent must sign the form (consent is required by law).
Open online filing portal ↗
How to change your registered agent in Maryland
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Choose your new registered agent first.
Do not file the change form until you have a new agent lined up. The new agent has to consent to the appointment, and most states will not process the change without that consent in hand. If you let coverage lapse, the Maryland SOS can administratively dissolve your LLC.
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Get the Resolution to Change Principal Office or Resident Agent. Download the form ↗
You can file this online through the Maryland Secretary of State portal. The form requires your LLC name, the new agent name and address, and a signature. The new agent must consent to the appointment.
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Pay the $25 filing fee.
Pay by credit card during the online filing. A small processing surcharge usually applies. Mail filings accept check or money order made out to the Maryland Secretary of State.
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Notify your old agent.
Once the change is processed, your old agent's responsibility ends. If you are paying them an annual fee, cancel that subscription so it does not auto-renew. Most services prorate or refund the unused portion.
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Verify the change in state records.
Search your LLC name on the Maryland SOS business search and confirm the new registered agent is listed. Processing typically takes 6-8 weeks standard processing; 7-10 business days for expedited ($50 extra); same-day Rush via online for $325, so check back after that window.
Important to know about Maryland
- Maryland uses "resident agent" instead of "registered agent" - same role, different name.
- Standard processing takes 6-8 weeks. If you need it done quickly, the $50 expedited fee (total $75) cuts processing to 7-10 business days. Online filings through Maryland Business Express are inherently expedited at no extra cost.
- Online filings include a 3% Maryland Business Express convenience surcharge on top of the $25 fee.
- A single form covers all entity types - LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs - but signature requirements vary (LLCs need an authorized person's signature plus the new agent's consent).
Have a service handle the change for you
Northwest will file the Resolution to Change Principal Office or Resident Agent and pay the state filing fee when you sign up. The change is usually filed the same business day.
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This page provides general information based on publicly available Maryland Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Forms, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Maryland SOS before filing.