When a company wants to conduct business using a name other than its legal name, it uses a DBA, or “doing business as” name. A DBA in Maryland is valid for five years after it is registered. After that, the business owner will need to submit a new application and the necessary cost to renew the registration. How to Modify Your Business Name A business owner must submit an amendment to the SDAT if they choose to modify the legal name of their company. There is a charge for filing this, and you can do it online or by mail. Any other required paperwork, including the business owner’s tax ID number and any licenses or permits, must also be updated. In Maryland, is I allowed to act as my own resident agent? An individual or organization designated to receive legal documents on behalf of a company is known as a resident agent. In Maryland, a business owner who has a physical address in the state and is accessible to receive legal documents during regular business hours is permitted to serve as their own resident agent. To make sure they don’t overlook crucial legal notices, many business owners, however, opt to work with a qualified resident agent. Does It Make Sense to Register a Trading Name? A trading name and a DBA name are equivalent in Maryland. A company must register that name as a DBA with the SDAT if it wishes to conduct business under a name other than its legal name. The failure to register may result in penalties and fines as it is required by law. How Does One Create a Trade Name? The business owner must submit an application to the SDAT in order to register a trade name in Maryland. There is a charge for filing the application, which can be done either online or by mail. The intended trade name, the legal name of the company, and the owner’s contact information must all be included in the application.
Finally, establishing a business in Maryland necessitates registering with the SDAT and abiding by specific rules and laws. This involves filing an amendment if the business’s legal name changes, renewing the registration every five years, and registering a DBA name if the company wishes to conduct business under a name other than its legal one. Additionally, it’s crucial to think about using a qualified resident agent and registering any trading names with the SDAT. Business owners can make sure they are operating lawfully and in compliance with state requirements by taking the procedures outlined above.