Each filing submitted to SDAT undergoes a thorough review by a staff member to ensure compliance with all legal requirements established by the state of Maryland. Upon approval and determination of legal sufficiency, the document is integrated into the public record, with the effective date corresponding to the initial date of submission. If a filing is not deemed legally sufficient, its effective date will correspond to the date on which the necessary corrections are successfully made.

Current Filing Review Status

The tables below show the oldest online submission dates currently under review. These dates:

• Apply only to filings submitted through Maryland Business Express using Expedited Service
• Are grouped by filing type
• Do not include paper filings

If your Expedited filing was submitted or resubmitted after the date shown for your filing type, it is still in line for review.

Filings are reviewed in the order they are received. Thank you for your patience.

Processing Speeds

Processing speed is the time it takes for SDAT to review a filing for the first time after it is submitted.

If your filing is returned and then resubmitted, the review clock starts over from the date and time you resubmit.

Non-Expedited Filings

• Filings without an expedited fee will be reviewed during the second calendar month after submission.
• Example: A non-expedited filing submitted in October will be reviewed in December.

Expedited Filings

• Initial review is between 7-10 business days.
• Expedited filings are not reviewed before the 7th business day.
• Please use Rush service if faster processing time is needed.

 Rush Filings ($325 Fee for online filings)

• Submitted before 2:30 PM on a business day: Reviewed within three hours.
• Submitted after 2:30 PM or outside business hours: Reviewed the next business day.
• After approval: You’ll receive acknowledgment and any certified copies electronically the next business day.

Note: Paper (hard copy) Rush filings requesting two-hour service require a $425 fee.

Choosing a Processing Speed

• You can choose your desired processing speed at checkout.
• Not all filing types qualify for every service option.
• Availability may vary depending on the filing type.

Filing Approval and SDAT ID Numbers

After Approval of a Business Formation Filing:

• Your business is assigned a new SDAT ID which starts with a letter followed by eight numbers (e.g., D12345678).
• The ID appears on your Business Express Account Home page the next business day after approval.
• You’ll also receive an email with the new SDAT ID by the next business day.
• You can look up your business registration using the Business Search tool.

Filings That Require PDF Uploads

If your filing requires uploading a PDF form:

• It will display as “Approved” on your Account Home page the same day it’s approved.
• It will appear in the business’s filing history by 4:30 PM the next business day, after SDAT updates its database.
• Please wait until the second business day after approval before contacting SDAT if the history hasn’t updated.
• Acknowledgment letters will be mailed within 2–3 business days after approval.