Maryland Business Entity Search

Check your name against Maryland law before you file. The state's search tells you whether a name exists. It does not tell you whether yours is legal, or whether it is too close to one already on the register. This does both.

Search the official Maryland register Form this LLC for $399

What this does not check

  • • Whether the name is already taken. That needs the state’s live register, which we link below.
  • • Trademarks. A name can be free on the state register and still infringe a federal or common law mark.
  • • Domain and social handle availability.
  • • Whether the name is available in any other state you later register in.

Maryland LLC naming rules

Md. Code, Corps. & Ass’ns §§ 4A-208, 1-502 and 1-503 and Md. Code, Corps. & Ass’ns § 1-504

Your name must include one of

  • Limited Liability Company
  • L.L.C.
  • LLC
  • L.C.
  • LC

Your name must not

  • • Language stating or implying that the company is organised for a purpose other than one allowed by its articles of organization

When is a name too close to one already registered?

This is what catches most filings. Maryland compares your name against what is already on the register, and a difference that looks obvious to you may not count.

These do

  • • The name must be distinguishable on the records of the Department from the name of every entity organised or authorised to transact business in Maryland, from every name reserved or registered under the subtitle, and from the disclosed assumed name adopted by a foreign entity authorised to transact business in Maryland

Our comparison cannot judge: Repeated or dropped letters. Texas treats "Texxas Strong" as the same name as "Texas Strong". Words that sound alike. Texas treats "Xpress Auto" as the same as "Express Auto". Words that mean the same thing in another language, where the state translates them. Anything the filing officer decides at their own discretion, which every state reserves.

Searching the official register

  • • Maryland LLCs file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, not the Secretary of State
  • • A name reservation lasts 30 days, and a transferee of a reservation gets a fresh 30 days but may not transfer it again (§ 1-505)
  • • The test applies across entity types: an LLC name is compared with corporations, partnerships, trade name filers and business trusts on the Department’s records, not just other LLCs (§ 1-501)

Exceptions worth knowing

  • • A benefit LLC must instead use "benefit limited liability company", "Benefit L.L.C.", "Benefit LLC", "Benefit L.C." or "Benefit LC" (§ 1-502(b)(2))
  • • A name recorded, registered or reserved before October 1, 1998 may continue to be used even if it does not comply with the current rules (§ 1-507)

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation

Maryland business name questions

How do I search Maryland business entity names?

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation runs the official register at https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch. Search there for the exact name you want. Before you do, use the checker above to confirm the name satisfies Md. Code, Corps. & Ass’ns §§ 4A-208, 1-502 and 1-503, because a name can be unused and still be refused for breaking the naming rules.

What must a Maryland LLC name contain?

Under Md. Code, Corps. & Ass’ns §§ 4A-208, 1-502 and 1-503, the name must include one of: Limited Liability Company, L.L.C., LLC, L.C., LC.

What words are not allowed in a Maryland LLC name?

Maryland does not allow: Language stating or implying that the company is organised for a purpose other than one allowed by its articles of organization.

What makes two Maryland business names too similar?

Maryland requires the name to be distinguishable on the register but does not publish a mechanical list of what counts. The name must be distinguishable on the records of the Department from the name of every entity organised or authorised to transact business in Maryland, from every name reserved or registered under the subtitle, and from the disclosed assumed name adopted by a foreign entity authorised to transact business in Maryland

Does a name search reserve or protect my Maryland name?

No. A search tells you what is on the register at that moment. It is not an approval, and it gives you no rights in the name. Availability is finally determined only when your formation document is reviewed.

Can StartGlobal form my Maryland LLC?

Yes. Formation is $399 one time with all state and government fees included, and it works from anywhere in the world with no SSN and no US address required.

More for Maryland

Check a name in another state

Sources for Maryland

  1. Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 1-502, Entity name requirements — Maryland General Assembly (checked Oct 5, 2026)
  2. Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 1-503, Prohibited name language — Maryland General Assembly (checked Oct 5, 2026)
  3. Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 1-504, Distinguishable names — Maryland General Assembly (checked Oct 5, 2026)
  4. Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 4A-208, Name of limited liability company — Maryland General Assembly (checked Oct 5, 2026)
  5. Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 1-505 (reservation) and § 1-507 (pre-1998 names) — Maryland General Assembly (checked Oct 5, 2026)
  6. Maryland Business Express: Business Entity Search — Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (checked Oct 5, 2026)