Maryland Charitable Registration Process Explained
With nearly 31,800 Maryland nonprofits employing 13% of the state’s workforce, transparency and accountability are critical in the state’s nonprofit sector. If you’re planning to fundraise in the state, registering your charitable organization is a legal requirement that helps build public trust and strengthens your organization’s credibility.
In this article, we’ll discuss the Maryland charitable registration **process**, covering key steps like initial registration and annual reporting. We’ll also explore how Harbor Compliance supports nonprofit organizations to ensure a seamless registration experience.
Maryland Charitable Solicitation Registration
Under the Maryland Solicitations Act, charities and fundraisers must register with the Secretary of State—Charitable Organizations Division before soliciting charitable contributions in Maryland. The law also prohibits deceptive practices in charitable solicitation and requires annual registration and reporting.
You must complete the registration before your organization starts soliciting charity donations. Donations can be requested in many ways, including phone calls, text messages, social media posts, emails, direct mail, or in-person requests at local stores.
Exemptions From MD Charitable Registration
Certain types of charitable organizations are not required to register under the Maryland
Solicitations Act. This includes religious organizations, educational institutions, hospital
foundations, veterans’ organizations chartered under federal law, volunteer organizations, and
firefighters or rescue/ambulance personnel involved in firefighting or rescue operations. However, some
of these exemptions apply only if the organization does not use a professional solicitor.
The following documents are required for exemption:
- A written request for exemption
- The organization’s bylaws
- A copy of the IRS tax determination letter confirming tax-exempt status
- Articles of incorporation
- Additional information explaining the organization’s mission
Organizations that solicit donations solely from their members are also exempt from registration. To be eligible, members must receive benefits beyond voting, electing officers, or holding office and provide the following documents:
- A copy of its bylaws detailing member rights
- A statement outlining the individuals or groups from whom donations are solicited
Maryland Nonprofit Registration Requirements
Before starting the process of initial registration for your charitable organization, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete the COR-92 form with the details of your organization and its purpose.
- Obtain the current copy of the organization’s Articles of Incorporation and bylaws.
- Secure a copy of your organization’s IRS tax determination letter or any other documents issued by the IRS.
- Get your financial review performed by an independent certified public accountant if your organization’s contributions are at least $300,000 but less than $750,000. However, for private foundations associated with any Maryland state agency, the threshold is $100,000.
- Get an audit performed by an independent certified public accountant if the contributions are at least $750,000.
- Submit an Audit and Agreed Upon Procedures Report if your organization is affiliated with any Maryland State agency.
- Provide the current list of the board of directors for your organization.
- Submit copies of all contracts with professional solicitors or fundraising consultants, along with any subcontracts or other agreements related to these contracts under which solicitation is carried out in Maryland.
You’re required to submit the documentation only if your organization received over $25,000 in direct support from public and private foundations, corporate grants, or special fundraising events in the last fiscal year. You also need to submit the necessary documents if you used a Professional Solicitor for fundraising, even with under $25,000 raised.
However, if your organization received less than $25,000, you only need to submit the Exempt Organization Fundraising Notice, with no registration fee.
Initial Charitable Registration in Maryland
To register your charitable organization with the secretary of state, follow these steps to fill out the initial registration application:
- Go to the Maryland OneStop homepage and create an account.
- Navigate to the Public Profile page for the charities initial registration application.
- Fill out the initial registration form by inputting information about your organization’s purpose and financial status.
- Submit the application along with the registration fee (ranging from $50 to $300).
Once you submit your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and the secretary of state’s Charity Officers will also be notified. If everything is in order, your application will be approved, and you will receive a confirmation email from the system.
However, if revisions are needed, you’ll receive a notification from OneStop detailing the required changes. You can then make the necessary adjustments and resubmit your application for review.
Maryland Charitable Registration Renewal
If your charitable organization is registered in the state of Maryland and has an existing record with the secretary of state, you must file for annual renewal to maintain your registration. This annual update must be submitted within six months after your organization’s fiscal year ends. You should note that the renewal to maintain the exemption has a different due date. It must be renewed annually within eight months after the fiscal year ends (there are no extensions).
If you miss the annual registration deadline but have a current registration, it will automatically be extended until the 15th day of the 11th month after the end of your last fiscal year.
Here are the steps to submit the annual update:
- In your Charity Record, select Complete Renewal Application from the Actions dropdown.
- Review the form; some fields (like the organization address) will be pre-filled and editable, while others (such as the expiration date and charity ID) will not be.
- Fill in all required fields and upload any necessary documents.
- Click Submit at the end of the form.
- If a fee is required, you will be directed to the payment step.
Soliciting Charitable Contributions in Multiple States
Organizations fundraising in multiple states must submit the Unified Registration Statement (URS) form, along with any necessary supporting documents, to all the states where the solicitation is taking place. This eliminates the need to complete separate forms for each state, simplifying and speeding up the registration process.
The filing process is straightforward:
- Complete the URS following the provided instructions.
- Make a copy of the completed URS, leaving state-specific sections (like signature lines) blank.
- Fill in the required state-specific details.
- Sign the form (with or without notarization) according to each state’s rules.
- Attach the necessary documents, including governance documents for initial filings.
- Pay the required registration fee (if applicable) by check.
- Send the completed package, including the URS, to the appropriate state agency for processing.
Why Self-Managed Registration Can Be Tricky
Nonprofit registration in Maryland comes with its own set of challenges, and the requirements can be difficult to manage without guidance. Organizations must carefully track registration and reporting deadlines while keeping their records updated with the Maryland secretary of state’s office.
Navigating the exemption process adds another layer of complexity. This involves understanding the online system, submitting all necessary documents, and waiting for approval. Incomplete submissions or missed deadlines can lead to rejection, making the process even more frustrating.
Working with a professional service provider—like Harbor Compliance—who is familiar with Maryland’s charitable regulations can take the burden off your shoulders and save valuable time.
Outsource Charitable Registration to Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance offers comprehensive services to help you maintain good standing with Maryland’s secretary of state and handle charitable registrations with ease. Our Charitable Registration Service assists nonprofit organizations in soliciting charity through letters, calls, emails, social media, and grant applications.
With unmatched experience handling tens of thousands of charitable registrations each year—more than any other provider—we take the burden off your shoulders, managing the entire process so you can stay focused on advancing your mission.
Following our acquisition of Labyrinth, Inc., we now manage over 60% of registrations for organizations operating in over 38 states.
Our services include assigning a dedicated registration specialist to handle all filings. For added convenience, we provide the option to grant Power of Attorney, allowing us to sign applications on your behalf. We also offer tailored managed services for professional fundraisers, fundraising consultants, and commercial co-ventures, delivering efficient solutions for all charitable registration needs.
In addition, we assist charitable organizations with the following services completing charitable registration:
- Registered Agent Service—We act as your registered agent, ensuring prompt receipt and handling of your legal documents.
- Foreign Qualification Service—Planning to expand into a new state? We manage the entire foreign qualification process, from obtaining certificates of good standing to confirming filing approvals.
- Tax Exemption Status—We simplify the process of securing state tax exemptions for your nonprofit organization.
How To Order Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Service
To order our charitable registration services, follow the below steps:
- Go to the Charitable Registration Service page.
- Provide the required information, including your contact details, legal company name, business structure, etc.
- Submit the form.
Explore our free white papers to gain insights into navigating charitable solicitation compliance and mastering its complexities.
Additional Harbor Compliance Services
Besides charitable registration, we assist you in navigating a wide variety of legal obligations. Explore the table below to learn about our other range of services:
Category | Services |
---|---|
Entity lifecycle management | Name reservation DBA registration Amendments Initial and annual reports |
Licensing support | General business licenses Industry-specific licenses (construction, engineering, and architecture) |
Nonprofit formation | Incorporation |
Tax services | Payroll tax registration Sales and use tax registration Employer Identification Number (EIN) |
Document filing and retrieval | Drop-off filing Articles of reinstatement Certificate of good standing Certificate of Authority Certified copies |
Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting | BOI reporting Records Manager |
Maryland Charitable Registration FAQs
Below, we’ve covered some of the frequently asked questions about registering a charitable organization in Maryland. For additional details, visit our Information Center.
In Maryland, charities must register before soliciting donations from individuals, corporations, or foundations unless they qualify for an exemption.
Religious organizations, organizations affiliated with religious groups, and those soliciting only from members may qualify for an exemption.
If a charity fails to register or renew on time, it may be subject to a late fee of $25 per month or part of a month in addition to the regular registration fees.
Harbor Compliance—Your Reliable Partner in Simplifying Compliance
Harbor Compliance makes the charitable registration process less complex, where you don’t need to worry about meeting deadlines or obtaining the right documentation. Just provide us with details about your nonprofit organization, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Order our Charitable Registration Service to solicit donations for your good cause without worry with our dedicated registration specialists and a user-friendly online platform.
Use our FREE Harbor Compliance Score™ to check whether your nonprofit meets other state regulatory requirements. If there are areas that need improvement, we’ll assist you with our other solutions. Contact us to get started with our other services and schedule a free demo to explore our software.
For more details on charity registration requirements in other states, see the table below:

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- Maryland Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Maryland Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Maryland Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Maryland Bingo and Raffle Licenses
Not required
Charitable Gaming licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.
There is no state level licensing for games of chance in Maryland, however, many Maryland counties license charitable organizations for games of bingo and raffles.
Maryland Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Initial Registration
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | Maryland requires charities to apply for a permit to receive exemption from state insurance laws. There is no form, but the charity should submit proof that it meets the requirements for exemption. To qualify organizations must have been in existence as a 501(c)(3) for at least 10 years and must maintain a separate fund reserve fund for annuity funds. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually within 90 days of the charity's fiscal year end. |
Notes: | There is no renewal form, but charities should submit the required statements and audit to renew their permit. |
Maryland Charitable Organization Registration
Agency: | Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Law: | Maryland Ann. Code, Business Regulation Article, § 6-401 et seq |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
One-Time Exemption Registration
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
Charitable organizations that do not use a professional solicitor and either:
Additionally, the Secretary of State may exempt from the requirement of a registration statement or annual report a charitable organization that:
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Law: | Maryland Ann. Code, Business Regulation Article, § 6-102 and Maryland Ann. Code, Business Regulation Article, § 6-413 |
Notes: | There is no registration requirement, but charities must submit a letter to the Secretary of State stating their claim of an exemption. |
Registration to Obtain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: | Charities that received less than $25,000 in contributions during their most recent fiscal year |
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail, email dlcharity_sos@maryland.gov, or online |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Renewal to Maintain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: | Charities that received less than $25,000 in contributions during their most recent fiscal year |
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail, email dlcharity_sos@maryland.gov, or online |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually within 8 months after fiscal year end. |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on charitable contributions:
|
Turnaround: | 15-45 days |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
Notes: |
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Before you Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on charitable contributions:
|
Due: |
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Due Date Extension: | Due dates are automatically extended for 4.5 months beyond the original due date. |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
Penalties: | There is a late fee of $25 for each month that passes after the due date. The late fees do not cap off. |
Notes: | Make sure to include all required attachments, including annual financial report |
Required Attachments: |
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Reinstatement
Not required
Formal reinstatement is not required. Charities that wish to renew a canceled registration should submit an Annual Update of Registration filing for each delinquent fiscal year (including required financials, attachments, and payment of both the late fees and registration fees).
Change of Fiscal Year
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Varies |
Notes: | Fiscal year can be changed during the standard renewal process. |
Cancelation
Filing Method: | Mail or email dlcharity_sos@maryland.gov |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | To close out your registration, submit articles of dissolution or a letter stating the organization is no longer soliciting in Maryland. Past due filings or fees are not required in order to close an organization's registration. |
Maryland Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.
Maryland does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.
A Fund-Raising Counsel definition under Business Regulation Article, §6-101(h) is a person who is compensated for advising a charity about a solicitation in Maryland or holding, planning, or managing a solicitation in Maryland. The Fund-Raising Counsel is prohibited from directly soliciting or receiving charitable contributions.
Maryland Fund-Raising Counsel Registration
Agency: | Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Before you Apply: |
|
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Due: | Annually |
Contract Filing
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | A Fund-Raising Counsel is required to submit a copy of each fund-raising agreement by the tenth day after the agreement is made or the start of the charitable solicitation, whichever is earlier. |
A Professional Solicitor is a person who is compensated for advising a charity about a charitable solicitation, holding, planning, or managing a solicitation in Maryland, or soliciting or receiving contributions for a charitable organization. The solicitation or receipt of contributions is the distinction between a fund-raising counsel and Professional Solicitor.
Maryland Professional Solicitor Registration
Agency: | Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $350 |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
Notes: | Prior to starting a solicitation, a Professional Solicitor is required under Business Regulation Article, §6-502 to submit a fund-raising notice for each fund- raising campaign. The notice requests information concerning the type of fund-raising method to be used and the dates of the solicitation. In addition to completing the fund-raising notice, a solicitor is required to submit with the notice a copy of the fund-raising agreement. Business Regulation Article, §6-616 requires that agreements between Professional Solicitors and charities include the names and addresses of the parties, the minimum percentage of the gross receipts from the solicitations that will be used by the charity exclusively to advance its charitable purpose, and the text used in each solicitation. In addition to submitting a copy of any fund-raising agreements between a solicitor and a charity, the solicitor is also required to submit copies of any subcontracts or other contracts in furtherance of the agreement between the charity and solicitor. This includes the submission of caging agreements, generally defined as an agreement between a solicitor or charity and a person engaged to receive or hold contributions resulting from an agreement between a charity and solicitor. |
Before you Apply: |
|
Required Attachments: |
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Bond Amount: | $25,000 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $350 |
Due: | Annually |
Contract Filing
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | A Professional Solicitor is required to submit a copy of each fund-raising agreement by the tenth day after the agreement is made or the start of the charitable solicitation, whichever is earlier. |
Financial Reporting
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | A final accounting report is required within three months after the end of each fund-raising campaign and must account for all funds received and disbursed during the entire fund-raising campaign. |
Individuals raising money on behalf of public safety organizations are required to register and disclose certain information. Business Regulation Article, §6-101(1) defines a Public Safety Solicitor as a person who, for pay, solicits or receives public safety contributions, personally or through another.
Maryland Public Safety Solicitor Registration
Agency: | Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $100 per contract |
Notes: | This application must be submitted by a Public Safety Solicitor for each Public Safety Organization with which the Public Safety Solicitor contracts. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $100 per contract |
Due: | Annually by date of issuance |
Notes: | This application must be submitted by a Public Safety Solicitor for each Public Safety Organization with which the Public Safety Solicitor contracts. |
Individual Licenses
Maryland Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Maryland Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.
Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in Maryland.
