How to look up Maryland business entity information

You can easily find Maryland business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, through the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) business search portal. This free database provides immediate access to the key details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.

In this article, we'll walk you through exactly how to search the Maryland database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in Maryland's system. We'll also cover Maryland's multiple search options and the comprehensive information available through their user-friendly portal.

Summary table: Finding your Maryland entity information

How to search for Maryland business entities

Access the Maryland business entity search to look up any registered business by name or entity number (Department ID). 

For business name searches, you can enter either the complete legal name or distinctive keywords. Maryland's system supports partial matches, so searching "Chesapeake" will return "Chesapeake Solutions LLC," "Chesapeake Medical Group PLLC," and similar entities. However, using your complete legal name as registered ensures the most precise results.

Click on any business name in the results to view complete details, including your Department ID number, formation date, principal office address, registered agent information, and filing history.

What you'll see in search results

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)
• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, PLLC, LP, LLP, Not-for-profit Corporation, etc.)
• Department ID (8-digit unique identifier)
• Formation/registration date
• Current status (Active, Forfeited, Dissolved, etc.)
• Principal office address
• Registered agent name and address

How to find your entity number in Maryland

Your Maryland entity number, officially called your 'Department ID,' is an alphanumeric identifier (typically a letter followed by digits) assigned by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation when your entity was formed.

Where to locate your Maryland Department ID

1. Maryland business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in search results as a clickable link
• Labeled as: "Department ID"
• Format: 12345678 (8 digits)

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document
• May be labeled as "Department ID" or "ID Number"
• Stamped by SDAT when the document was processed

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official SDAT documents
• Used as your account identifier for all state filings
• Referenced in good standing certificates and compliance notices

Maryland entity number format

• Format: Alphanumeric (typically a letter followed by digits)
• Example: D12345678
• Pattern note: Sequential assignment based on registration order, not related to formation year. The leading letter (e.g., D, F, W) identifies the entity type (e.g., Domestic LLC, Foreign Corporation).

How to find your entity type in Maryland

Maryland recognizes numerous business entity types, listed exactly as shown in your business search results and formation documents.

Where to find your Maryland entity type

1. Maryland business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: Prominently in search results and on the detailed entity page
• Listed as: "Entity Type" or "Business Type"
• Examples: LLC, Corporation, PLLC, LP, LLP, Not-for-profit Corporation

2. Articles of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document
• States the specific entity type being formed
• Uses formal legal language matching Maryland's official designations

3. Annual reports

• Listed in the entity information section
• Cannot be changed without formal amendment filing
• Must match the original formation documents

How to find your formation date in Maryland

Your formation date (when SDAT officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in Maryland business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation.

Where your Maryland formation date appears

1. Maryland business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Formation Date" or "Date Filed"
• Location: Visible in search results and on the detailed entity page
• Format: MM/DD/YYYY

2. Articles of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document with SDAT filing stamp
• May show 'Filed on [date]' or 'File Date: [date]'; in Maryland, the effective date is always the same as the filing date, and both dates do not appear separately.

3. Annual report confirmations

• References original filing date
• Used as an identification reference in official records and good-standing certificates
• Annual report due date is April 15 each year, not based on the original filing date

Formation date vs. effective date

In Maryland, businesses may specify a future (delayed) effective date when filing formation documents with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). If no effective date is provided in the filing, the date that SDAT approves the paperwork becomes both the formation date and the effective date of the entity. 

For most Maryland entities, these dates are typically the same, as most filers do not request a delayed effective date, but the option is available under Maryland law.

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