In Short: How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Maryland
Maryland’s certificate of good standing is the Certificate of Status, issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division. Order it online through Maryland Business Express under Business Entity Search, Certificate of Status and Document Order, or request it by mail. The SDAT fee is $20, plus $20 for expedited service. Online certificates can be verified on the SDAT site. A long form certificate is also available for $20.
- Official name: Certificate of Status (SDAT’s fee schedule also calls it a Certificate of Good Standing)
- Issued by: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division
- Fee: $20 for LLCs and corporations; $20 more for expedited service
- How to order: Online through Maryland Business Express, or by mail to SDAT
- Turnaround: Not published by the state; expedited service available for $20
- Free status check: Maryland Business Express Business Entity Search
- What keeps you in good standing: Filing the Form 1 Annual Report by April 15 ($300 for LLCs and stock corporations) and keeping a resident agent on record
Maryland is one of the states where the document name and the state agency surprise people. The good standing certificate is called a Certificate of Status, and it comes from SDAT, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, not the Secretary of State. This guide covers how to order it on Maryland Business Express, what it costs, and the Form 1 Annual Report that keeps a Maryland entity eligible for one. For every other state, see how to get a certificate of good standing.
What a Maryland Certificate of Good Standing Is
A Maryland Certificate of Status is SDAT’s official confirmation that an LLC, corporation or other registered entity is in good standing on the state’s records. SDAT’s fee schedule lists the same document as a Certificate of Good Standing, so the two names refer to one certificate.
SDAT’s fee schedule also lists a long form certificate of good standing for $20. Order the long form only when the requester asks for it by name.
Who asks for a Maryland Certificate of Status:
- Banks and credit unions opening or reviewing a business account
- Other states, when a Maryland entity applies to register there as a foreign entity
- Lenders, including SBA loan underwriters
- Payment processors reviewing a merchant application
- Buyers in a sale of the business
- Maryland and local licensing agencies, and government contracting offices
How to Order a Certificate of Status in Maryland
SDAT handles online orders through Maryland Business Express. Its Certificate of Status page explains both the online and mail routes.
- Open the Maryland Business Express Business Entity Search.
- Search for your entity by business name.
- Open your entity’s record and choose Certificate of Status and Document Order.
- Select the Certificate of Status, and add the long form or expedited service if needed.
- Pay the fee by card and receive the certificate.
- Use the verification feature on the SDAT site if the recipient wants to confirm the certificate is authentic.
By mail: send a written request naming the entity, with the $20 fee (plus $20 for expedited service), to the SDAT Charter Division. SDAT’s Certificate of Status page gives the mailing instructions.
Maryland Certificate of Good Standing Fees and Processing Time
SDAT charges one fee for LLCs and corporations. The figures below come from the SDAT fee schedule. Confirm any online processing charge at checkout.
| Method | Fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Status, online (LLC or corporation) | $20 | Not published by the state |
| Certificate of Status, mail | $20 | Not published by the state |
| Expedited service (online or mail) | $20 added to the fee | Not published by the state |
| Long form certificate of good standing | $20 (expedite not available) | Not published by the state |
A standard Certificate of Status with expedited service costs $40 in total. The long form cannot be expedited.
How to Check Maryland Good Standing Status for Free
Use the free Maryland Business Express Business Entity Search to see an entity’s status before you order. Search by business name. If the record shows the entity as forfeited, SDAT will not issue a Certificate of Status until the entity is reinstated or revived.
Our Maryland business entity search guide explains the search results and status labels.
How a Maryland LLC Stays in Good Standing
Every Maryland entity that existed on January 1 files an Annual Report, Form 1, with SDAT by April 15. Form 1 includes the Business Personal Property Return where required. The filing fee is $300 for LLCs and stock corporations, per the Form 1 instructions. A 60-day extension is available if you request it by April 15.
- File Form 1 and pay the $300 fee by April 15, or request the 60-day extension by that date.
- Pay any late filing penalty right away. The penalty starts at $30, runs up to $500, and adds interest.
- Make sure the filing fee payment clears. A dishonored check is a ground for forfeiture.
- Keep a resident agent (Maryland’s term for a registered agent) on record and update SDAT when the agent or address changes.
SDAT forfeits an entity for failure to file Form 1, failure to pay a late filing penalty, or a dishonored filing fee check. Business Express has a maintain good standing status page with the state’s checklist. Compare Maryland with other states in our list of annual report filing requirements by state.
What to Do If Your Maryland Business Is Not in Good Standing
A forfeited Maryland entity cannot get a Certificate of Status. The fix depends on the entity type:
- Search Business Express to confirm the entity is forfeited.
- File every missing Form 1 Annual Report and pay the filing fees and late penalties owed.
- For an LLC, file Articles of Reinstatement with SDAT. The fee is $100.
- For a corporation, file Articles of Revival with SDAT. The fee is $100.
- Add $50 if you want the reinstatement or revival expedited.
- Order a new Certificate of Status once Business Express shows the entity in good standing.
For a general walkthrough, see how to reinstate an administratively dissolved LLC.
Maryland Tax Good Standing vs Secretary of State Certificate
Maryland has two good standing documents from two agencies. SDAT’s Certificate of Status covers the entity’s charter record: Form 1 filed, fees paid, not forfeited. The Comptroller of Maryland issues a separate tax Certificate of Good Standing, which confirms the business is current on Maryland taxes.
The Comptroller’s General Accounting Division handles tax certificate requests through the Maryland Good Standing Certificate Request form (GAD GSC), submitted by email to [email protected]. It takes 7 to 14 business days and the certificate is valid for six months. Request it when a lender, licensing board or buyer asks for tax good standing, and order the SDAT Certificate of Status when they ask for proof of existence.
Using a Maryland Certificate in Another State
To register a Maryland LLC or corporation in another state, the other state’s filing office asks for a current good standing certificate from Maryland. Send the SDAT Certificate of Status. If the timing is tight, add the $20 expedite. For how this certificate relates to the other state’s registration, read certificate of good standing vs certificate of authority.
$0 formation fee plus the state filing fee. Registered agent free for the first year.
Maryland Certificate of Good Standing FAQs
What is a Maryland Certificate of Status?
It is Maryland’s certificate of good standing, issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). It confirms the entity is in good standing on SDAT’s records. SDAT’s fee schedule also lists it as a Certificate of Good Standing.
How much does a Maryland Certificate of Good Standing cost?
SDAT charges $20 for a Certificate of Status, by mail or online. Expedited service adds $20. A long form certificate of good standing costs $20 and cannot be expedited.
How do I order a Certificate of Status online in Maryland?
Use Maryland Business Express: search the entity, open Certificate of Status and Document Order, choose the certificate and pay. Online certificates can be verified on the SDAT site.
Is the Comptroller’s Certificate of Good Standing the same as SDAT’s?
No. SDAT’s Certificate of Status covers the entity’s charter record, while the Comptroller’s certificate covers Maryland tax compliance. The Comptroller’s certificate is requested on form GAD GSC, takes 7 to 14 business days and is valid for six months.
When is the Maryland Annual Report due?
Form 1 is due April 15 for every entity that existed on January 1. The fee is $300 for LLCs and stock corporations, and a 60-day extension is available if requested by April 15. Missing it leads to late penalties and then forfeiture.
Fees verified against official Maryland sources in October 2026. State fees change; confirm the current amount on the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation site before you order.
