Key Takeaways

  • To change your Maryland LLC's resident agent, you can file either Articles of Amendment or a specialized Change of Resident Agent form with SDAT.
  • The Change of Resident Agent form is a faster, lower-cost option when it's the only change needed.
  • You can submit filings online via Maryland Business Express or through mail, fax, or in-person delivery.
  • Fees range from $25 for basic changes to $150 if expedited service is selected.
  • Your new agent must provide consent and a physical Maryland address.

Filing Articles of Amendment LLC Maryland will allow you to make changes to the formation documents of your limited liability company. For example, if you want to change the name of your company or appoint a new registered agent, you would need to file this document.

Filing a Maryland LLC Amendment

When starting a business, your main goal is to grow your company, and as your organization expands, it's possible you will need to make changes to your state business registration. Some of the most common reasons to alter your Articles of Incorporation or Organization include:

  • Changing your business's registered name.
  • Getting a new business address.
  • Altering the management structure of your company.

Generally, you will need to amend your registration in the state where you incorporated your business. If you have registered your business in other states, you will need to file Articles of Amendment in these states as well. If you want to alter the Articles of Incorporation for your Maryland LLC, you need to file Articles of Amendment with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). You can file your amendment articles in one of three ways:

  • By mail.
  • By fax.
  • In person.

You cannot file a handwritten document. Instead, you need to type in the proper information on the form provided by SDAT. Although using the SDAT form is the most convenient option, it is not required, and you can write your own LLC amendments if you so desire. Also, an original signature is not required on the form that you file. If you want to pay your filing fee by check, you should make your check payable to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

How to Change Resident Agent in Maryland

If you’re looking to change resident agent Maryland for your LLC, you have two options:

  1. File Articles of Amendment, or
  2. Submit the Change of Resident Agent form directly with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

The Change of Resident Agent form is ideal when no other changes are being made. It’s a streamlined, cost-effective option that requires a $25 filing fee. If you’re submitting the form by mail and need faster service, you can request expedited processing for an additional $50, bringing the total to $75. For fax or in-person filings, expedited service is mandatory, totaling $75.

Steps to change your resident agent:

  • Access the Change of Resident Agent form through the Maryland Business Express portal.
  • Provide your business name and Department ID.
  • Identify the new resident agent, who must have a physical Maryland address (P.O. Boxes are not accepted).
  • Obtain the new agent's signed consent (mandatory).
  • Submit the form via:
    • Mail: Include a check payable to “State Department of Assessments and Taxation.”
    • Fax: Include the Expedited Service Request cover sheet and credit card payment form.
    • In-person: Visit the SDAT office during business hours with payment.

Whether you're switching to a commercial registered agent or appointing an individual, accuracy and proper filing are essential. A rejected form could delay your business's compliance status.

Filing Options

When filing your amendments by fax, you will be automatically charged an expedited fee. While this option will cost a little more, it is still your best option, as your Articles of Amendment LLC Maryland will get processed much more quickly. You need to include an Expedited Request Cover Sheet, as well as your credit or debit card information, when filling by fax. You can visit the SDAT counter between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. if you wish to file in person. In-person filings also require paying an expedited fee. You may pay this fee by check, money order, or cash.

There is almost no limit to the information you can amend with this filing. In addition to changing the name of your LLC, you can amend your principal business address or the contact information of your Registered Agent. When filing your Articles of Amendment, you will need to pay a $100 fee. If you want your articles processed faster, or if you are filing by fax or in person, you will need to pay a $50 fee for expedited service.

Typically, SDAT will process your amendment articles within eight weeks. You should not expect confirmation, however, until at least 10 weeks after filing your documents. With expedited service, your articles will be processed within seven business days.

Unless you request otherwise, mailed Articles of Amendments will be processed normally. If you want to file by mail and also want expedited processing, you should include a cover letter with the phrase ‘Expedited Service Requested.' You should also include this phrase on your envelope. If you want your amendments returned to you after processing, you need to pay a $5 fee. If you don't pay this fee when filing your amendments, SDAT will destroy your amendments after they have been processed.

You can visit the Maryland Business Database to view your Articles of Amendment online. You can also print your documents from this database. After they have been processed, your Articles of Amendment should appear on this database within 10 days. By filing an amendment, you can change your LLC's managers and members.

You can also use an amendment to change your Registered Agent. If you are naming a new Registered Agent, the agent must sign the document. You can file an SDAT Change of Resident Agent Form if naming a new agent is the only change you need to make. Filing this form only costs $25. Similarly, if you only want to change your principal business address, you can file a Change of Principal Office Form, which also costs $25.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I change my Maryland resident agent online? Yes. You can file online using the Maryland Business Express portal, which offers the quickest submission option.

2. What’s the difference between Articles of Amendment and the Change of Resident Agent form? Articles of Amendment cover various changes (e.g., name, structure, agent), while the Change of Resident Agent form is exclusively for updating your registered agent.

3. How much does it cost to change a resident agent in Maryland? The standard fee is $25. Expedited service adds $50, totaling $75 for faster processing.

4. Does the new resident agent need to sign anything? Yes, the new agent must provide written consent, either on the form or as an attached document.

5. Can I use a P.O. Box for my resident agent’s address? No. The resident agent must have a physical street address in Maryland.

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