DoorWorthy

Who needs a trade name registration (DBA) in Maryland?

Issued by Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), at step 1 of 6 in the opening sequence: set up the business.

Every kind of business in Maryland

The Maryland table lists this for every kind of business.

Needed whenever the business trades under any name other than the owner’s legal name or the LLC’s registered name. The registration runs five years from acceptance; if it is not renewed SDAT forfeits the name and a new application is needed.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 1 of 6: Set up the business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

Sources and dates

SDAT trade name application and instructions (Corporations and Associations Article 1-406). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.