ZenBusiness reviews its own products and services and compares them to others in the industry.
Compare the best Maryland Resident Agent services below as reviewed by ZenBusiness.
*SPECIAL OFFER: $99 + MD state fees for the first year when you switch to ZenBusiness! Renews at $199/yr, subject to change.
Last Updated: May 27, 2025
Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has quickly become a top player in the business formation and compliance space. With over 800,000 businesses formed and a strong reputation, our registered agent service offers solid value and top-tier support in Maryland.
✔ First year is 50% off at $99 plus state fees (renews at $119/year)✔ 60-day money-back guarantee✔ 22549+ reviews with a 4.8 average rating✔ Responsive, award-winning customer support via phone, email, and chat✔ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
✘ Registered agent service is not included with formation packages✘ No multi-state discount for businesses operating in more than one state
Rocket Lawyer is a legal services platform that also offers registered agent services as part of its suite of tools. While not the cheapest option, it may appeal to users who want bundled legal help. If you find value in their legal services plan, Rocket Lawyer is an intriguing choice for registered agent services in Maryland. If you don’t need its subscription service, you can probably find a more suitable alternative.
✔ Includes access to legal documents and attorney consultations✔ 30-day money-back guarantee✔ Discount of 50% with legal plan subscription
✘ Registered agent service is basic and lacks advanced features✘ Higher ongoing costs unless you’re on a subscription✘ Not a core focus of their platform — limited functionality compared to standalone services
Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, has been a popular choice for business formation and compliance services in Maryland since 2004. With over 1 million businesses served, Bizee is best known for its basic LLC formation package (only pay Maryland state fees), which includes one year of registered agent service.
✔ Free 1st year with LLC formation✔ $119/year after the first free year✔ Good value for basic compliance needs
✘ Registered agent service must be manually renewed✘ Customer support is slower and less detailed than top competitors✘ No refund policy on services once submitted
LegalZoom is a household name in online legal services, with over 3 million businesses served. Its registered agent service is backed by brand trust and comes with useful compliance tools. While its registered agent service comes at a higher price, the added perks and company reputation may justify the cost for some Maryland business owners.
✔ Compliance calendar and deadline reminders included✔ 60-day money-back guarantee✔ Large support team with extended hours
✘ $249/year pricing is one of the highest on this list✘ No first-year discount or bundling options✘ Less value for cost compared to smaller, more focused competitors
Northwest Registered Agent has been offering registered agent services since 1998 and is known for being a solid choice in Maryland. Northwest Registered Agent now has thousands of registered agent service subscribers across the country.
✔ $125/year pricing✔ Scans all mail, not just government documents
✘ Not the cheapest option for LLC formation✘ Limited refund policy✘ No online compliance dashboard or automation tools
If you want to receive personalized registered agent service at reasonable price points, Northwest Registered Agent might be worth a look. However, keep in mind that Northwest charges at least $39 to form an LLC, so there are many cheaper options for that service in Maryland.
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Every business entity in the state of Maryland is required to have a resident agent. In fact, you will not be allowed to finish the formation process for your company until you designate your resident agent.
One quick note: most states refer to this position as a registered agent. Maryland, however, refers to them as resident agents. That’s just a semantic choice; don’t let it throw you off.
The most important aspect of this role is receiving document deliveries from the state government and process servers, then alerting your business of the delivery before forwarding the documents to you. The role of the resident agent is so important because it establishes a point of contact for your business with the state and others so that they have a reliable place to get in touch with an official representative of your company at any time.
Unlike some states, Maryland does not provide a comprehensive (or even partial) list of resident agents in the state. You’ll need to do your own research to find your agent. Thankfully, that’s where this guide comes in.
Each state has its own rules and regulations surrounding resident agents. For the most part, these laws are fairly similar, but it’s always worth taking a look to see what Maryland requires.
In Maryland, we’ll need to take a look at the Corporations and Associations Chapter of the Maryland Code, which says:
All of the companies we discussed above meet these regulations and are options for Maryland resident agent service. When you’ve made your choice, you can indicate your resident agent’s name and address on your Articles of Organization.
As you’ve probably noticed, the resident agent services we’ve listed here serve businesses across the country. But if you Google “Maryland Resident Agent,” you’ll probably see results for local services, too. These can be local entrepreneurs with a knack for clerical tasks, offices dedicated to serving businesses in their counties, or statewide companies.
On one hand, using a local service can have its advantages. Some will be cheaper than nationwide firms (but not always!). And each state has its own nuances for business compliance requirements, Maryland included. A resident agent service that services Maryland alone may have detailed knowledge about those requirements. Granted, most national services do an excellent job of understanding local requirements. But they might not give you the same “homegrown Maryland” feeling as a local agent service.
That said, national businesses like ZenBusiness give you streamlined solutions. Let’s say you’re using a local Maryland-only resident agent service, but it’s time to add locations in Delaware. You could search for an additional agent that services Delaware businesses. But that’s going to require a lot of additional paperwork, including new receipts, new automatic payments, more emails…you get the idea. But if you’re using a national service, you can cut down the “new” paperwork and focus on what really matters: growing your business.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you, and there’s no “wrong” answer. The most important thing is that you appoint one so you can run a compliant Maryland business.
The role of a Maryland resident agent is critical to your company’s compliance and legal standing. This position requires dealing with seemingly simple tasks, yet if they’re handled incorrectly, they could cost you a considerable amount of money in fines and could even potentially see the state dissolve your business.
While you can always change your resident agent down the line, we think it’s essential to pick the right resident agent for your business starting at the formation phase. You should also keep an eye on your compliance standing to ensure nothing goes awry along the way.
With ZenBusiness, you can purchase reliable resident agent service at an affordable rate, leaving this role in the hands of experts while you focus on growing your business.
In Maryland, there aren’t many complicated requirements for resident agent eligibility. Any individual or business entity authorized to conduct business in the state can serve as your company’s resident agent. The only requirements are that they have a permanent address in Maryland and that your company itself can’t serve as its own resident agent (although you or one of your co-owners may assume this role individually).
Unlike most states, Maryland also requires that individual resident agents be at least 18 years old. We recommend that you pick a responsible individual you trust or one of the services listed above. If the resident agent does not fulfill their duties completely and accurately, it can cause unnecessary hassle for a business. Most responsible adults can fill this role easily, but we do recommend careful consideration while you make this appointment.
Yes. If your resident agent is an individual, that person must live in Maryland. If your agent is a business entity, that company must either be a domestic Maryland business or one with the authority to conduct business in the state.
Maryland keeps the process of changing your resident agent pretty simple. All you have to do is download the Resolution to Change Principal Office and/or Resident Agent form, fill it out, and submit it to the Department of Assessments and Taxation. Include the $25 filing fee, and you’re set to go. For more information, see our Maryland resident agent page.
If your resident agent chooses to resign and no longer serves as your agent, they will notify you. They are also required by law to notify the Department of Assessments and Taxation by writing a letter of resignation. There is no fee for the resignation, and Maryland does not require an official form, but it’s an essential step if your agent resigns.
Unless you choose to expedite your filings, Maryland only charges $25 for the process of changing your resident agent. File correctly, and that’s all you’ll have to pay. However, if you file late (causing a lapse in your resident agent coverage), you may incur additional penalties and fees, so we highly recommend filing this as soon as your agent resigns.
The best place to learn more about forming a Maryland LLC is our step-by-step guide. You might also be interested in checking out our list of the best best Maryland LLC formation services.
Maryland Business Resources
Best Registered Agent Services Reviewed in All States
We break down the best registered agent services in every state. View all of our guides below.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 800,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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