A trade name is a Maryland DBA (doing business as). A Maryland trade name registration permits a company to operate under a name other than its legal name.

DBA registration in Maryland will not safeguard your personal assets. Forming a formal company structure, such as an LLC or corporation, can provide you with liability protection as well as a business name.

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In Maryland, you may register a DBA.

It is simple to register a Maryland trade name, commonly known as a DBA.

A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. A DBA does not safeguard your personal assets in the event that your company is sued. As a result, we highly advise that a DBA be utilised exclusively by a formal company structure such as an LLC or corporation to add new brands to an existing firm.

If you operate an informal company (sole proprietorship or partnership), we highly advise you to create an LLC to keep your business and personal assets distinct. The name of the LLC might be chosen to serve as the business’s brand name.

Learn How to Register a Trade Name in Maryland in Two Easy Steps:

Begin by doing a Maryland Trade Name Search.

Create a Maryland DBA.

A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. To keep your company and personal assets distinct, we propose incorporating an LLC.

Step 1: Conduct a Maryland Trade Name Search.

Maryland trade names must be distinct and comply with Maryland’s company name criteria.

To begin, go to the Maryland Business Express website and look up your new DBA name to ensure it isn’t already in use.

Review the Maryland naming criteria next. Trade names in Maryland should NOT include:

Unless the company is genuinely an LLC, corporation, or etc., any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp., etc.

Any phrase used to describe a financial institution, such as “bank,” “banc,” “banco,” “banque,” “banker,” “trust business,” “savings and loan association,” “savings bank,” “credit union,” or other similar names.

Words that may cause confusion between your company and a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).

Need Assistance Choosing a DBA Name?

Try our company name generator if you need assistance coming up with a DBA name. This programme may be used to produce both company names and domain names.

We suggest that you check to see whether your name is accessible as a web domain (URL). You may not want to launch a company website right now, but you may wish to prevent others from gaining your URL.

Step 2: Create a Maryland DBA.

Your Maryland trade name may be registered with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation either online or by mail. You may either file online using the Maryland Business Express website or fill out the Trade Name Application form.

The following are some critical portions of the form:

Section 3: The legal name of the trade brand’s owner

Unincorporated account number (Section 4)

Section 6: Business Description

Maintain Control of Your Maryland Trade Name

General Concerns

Dial (410) 767-1350 to reach the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Renew Your Business Name with the State

Your Maryland trade name is valid for five years after it is accepted. It can be renewed at any time up to six months before the expiration date. You can renew your membership online.

Change Your Company Name

To change your business’s trade name, you need to cancel your current registration and file for a new one using the Trade Name Application form.

If you want to change the owner’s name, address, or the address where the trade name is being used, you can fill out the Trade Name Amendment Application.

Processing time is typically between 4-6 weeks unless expedited. The amendment filing fee is $25, and there is a $50 expediting fee if you want that service. Mail or bring the completed application and payment to:

State Department of Assessments and Taxation

Charter Division

301 W. Preston, Room 801

Baltimore, MD 21201-2305

Remove Your Trade Name

To withdraw or cancel your business’s trade name, you must complete the Trade Name Cancellation Application form. The fee is $25 made payable to the Department of Assessments and Taxation. This form can be mailed or delivered in-person to the address found below: