How to Change Your Registered Agent in Maryland (2026)
To change your Maryland resident agent, file the Resolution to Change Principal Office or Resident Agent. You file it with SDAT's Charter Division. The fee is $25.
Maryland law calls this role a resident agent, not a registered agent. SDAT's Charter Division handles the filing, not the Secretary of State. File online through Maryland Business Express for automatic expedited handling. Or mail the paper form in and wait about 4 to 6 weeks.
Quick Summary
- Filing online through Maryland Business Express gets your change treated as expedited right away, at no extra fee.
- Your new resident agent has to sign the form too. SDAT treats that signature as their consent to serve.
- An LLC can't be its own resident agent. It has to name a Maryland resident or an active Maryland corporation instead.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Form | Resolution to Change Principal Office or Resident Agent |
| Filing agency | Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division |
| Filing fee | $25 |
| Expedited fee | $50 by mail or in person, automatic and free online |
| Standard processing | 4-6 weeks |
| Online portal | Maryland Business Express |
| Filing address | 301 W. Preston Street, 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201-2395 |
Who Can Be a Maryland Resident Agent
Maryland limits this role to two kinds of parties. You can name a Maryland citizen who lives here, or an active Maryland corporation.
That rule means an LLC can't act as its own resident agent. The LLC itself is neither a person nor a corporation. So owners handle this by naming themselves, a co-owner, or another person instead. That person just needs a real Maryland street address, not a P.O. box.
Maryland's code doesn't split resident agents into commercial and noncommercial categories. Some states draw that line. Maryland doesn't. Name a person or hire a paid service. Either way, the filing works the same.
How to Change Your Maryland Resident Agent
Your new agent has to agree to the role first. Our guide to an LLC registered agent covers what the job involves. Maryland itself calls the role a resident agent, though.
Once you have that person or corporation lined up, the same Resolution form makes the switch official. Maryland Code § 2-108 governs corporations [1]. Section 4A-210 governs LLCs instead [2].
Both sections require two signatures on the form. One comes from an officer, general partner, or authorized person at your company. The other comes from your new resident agent, accepting the role. Our guide to changing a registered agent covers the general steps most states share.
1. Using a Professional Resident Agent Service
Hiring a professional resident agent service saves you the hassle of tracking deadlines. You sign up, confirm your details, and the provider handles the SDAT filing for you.
That convenience costs a yearly fee. But it also gets your personal address off Maryland's public entity record, if you'd been listed there yourself. Compare current options through the best registered agent services in Maryland before you commit.
2. Filing Online Through Maryland Business Express
Maryland Business Express routes online filers to a dedicated Resolution to Change Resident Agent action. Search for your entity first. Then pick that option to update the agent's name and address.
Online filings get treated as expedited right away. SDAT processes them in about 7 business days. There's no extra charge beyond the standard $25 fee. Skipping paper saves you both time and the $50 expedite fee.
3. Filing by Mail
Download the same Resolution form linked above. Fill it out, and get both required signatures. Mail it with a $25 check made out to SDAT.
Send it to State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division. The address is 301 W. Preston Street, 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201-2395. Standard processing runs 4 to 6 weeks.
For faster handling, add $50. Write "EXPEDITED SERVICE REQUESTED" in bold on your cover letter and envelope. SDAT will then handle it within 7 business days instead.
4. Filing In Person
The same form and address work for walking it in. SDAT's Charter Division takes walk-ins Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In-person filing only happens as expedited service. So the $50 fee always applies, on top of the $25 filing fee. Same-day handling is available in limited quantities if you're in line by 4:15 p.m. Bring your payment as a check.
Keep your resident agent's name and address current no matter which method you pick. An outdated agent means a legal notice can go unanswered. For the company-formation step itself, the best LLC formation services in Maryland guide walks through that part. And the registered agent services rankings compare providers nationwide too.
FAQs
What Does It Cost to Change a Resident Agent in Maryland?
Changing a resident agent in Maryland costs $25 to file. Filing by mail or in person adds $50 if you want it faster. Filing online through Maryland Business Express gets that same speed for free.
How Long Does It Take to Change a Resident Agent in Maryland?
Changing a resident agent in Maryland takes 4 to 6 weeks under standard processing. Pay the expedite fee by mail or in person, or file online instead, and that drops to about 7 business days.
How Do I Resign as a Maryland Resident Agent?
You resign as a Maryland resident agent by filing a signed resignation, or a photocopy of one, with SDAT's Charter Division. There's no fee. It takes effect right away if the entity has more than one resident agent on file, or 10 days after filing if you're the only one.
Can My LLC's Owner Serve as Its Resident Agent?
Yes, your LLC's owner can serve as its resident agent, as long as that person is a Maryland resident with a real street address, not a P.O. box. The LLC itself still can't hold the role directly. Naming yourself or a co-owner both work.
References:
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gca§ion=2-108&enactments=false
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gca§ion=4A-210&enactments=false
