Notary Permits & Licenses in Silver Spring, MD

Required for all LLC formation in Maryland. Annual Personal Property Returns also required thereafter (separate requirement below).

All Maryland LLCs must file regardless of activity. Notary-specific assets (e.g., equipment) may be reportable.

Must complete 4 hours continuing education every 4 years (fee ~$50-100). $25 late fee if renewed within 30 days of expiration.

$20,000 surety bond required for 4 years, covering official misconduct.

Required for any person performing notarial acts. Business itself does not need separate notary license - applies to individual notary public.

Required if notary business uses DBA/assumed name different from LLC legal name.

Additional training and technology requirements. Effective July 1, 2020 per MD Code State Gov't § 18-102.1.

Required for all LLCs in Maryland; provides the legal entity needed to obtain state tax accounts.

Registers the entity for Maryland income tax (Corporate Income Tax if taxed as a corporation, or for filing pass‑through information).

Estimated tax payments are required quarterly (March 15, June 15, September 15, December 15).

Provides a Maryland Withholding Tax account number for remitting employee taxes.

Electronic filing is required for most employers.

Provides a UI account number for reporting wages and paying UI taxes.

Electronic filing via the Maryland UI portal is required.

Notary services are exempt from Maryland sales tax; registration is only required if the business also sells taxable goods.

Electronic filing is mandatory for most filers.

The privilege tax is based on gross receipts; rates vary by business classification.

Professional liability or errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is not legally required for Notaries Public in Maryland. However, it is highly recommended because the $75,000 surety bond does not protect the notary personally—it protects the public. E&O insurance covers legal defense and damages arising from unintentional mistakes in notarial acts. The Maryland Department of Labor does not mandate this coverage.

If the notary LLC uses a vehicle registered under the business name or for business purposes (e.g., mobile notary services), commercial auto insurance is required. Personal auto policies may not cover business use. Maryland mandates minimum liability coverage: $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage.

Product liability insurance is not required for Notaries Public in Maryland, as they do not manufacture, distribute, or sell physical products. This insurance is only relevant if the business were to sell tangible goods (e.g., notary supplies), which is not typical for standard notary services.

Liquor liability insurance is not required for Notaries Public in Maryland, as they do not serve or sell alcohol. This insurance applies only to businesses with alcohol licenses (e.g., bars, restaurants).

This is the same $75,000 surety bond required for all notaries. It is a license bond mandated by the state to ensure compliance with notarial laws. The bond is filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and remains in effect for the 4-year commission term. Renewal requires a new bond.

Most Maryland counties require all LLCs to obtain a general business license. Notaries operating from home or as mobile notaries must comply with local regulations. Contact your county clerk for details.

All LLCs, even those with no employees, must have an EIN to file federal tax returns and open bank accounts.

LLC may elect corporate taxation (Form 1120) which has its own deadlines.

Notary services advertised online, in print, or via signage must not misrepresent the scope of authority (e.g., cannot claim to notarize documents for foreign jurisdictions).

Even a single‑member LLC that hires a part‑time assistant must complete Form I‑9 for each employee.

A notary business with no employees and no dedicated worksite may be exempt from most OSHA recordkeeping, but general safety standards still apply.

If the notary operates solely online with no public office, ADA requirements are limited to website accessibility (WCAG 2.0 Level AA is recommended).

Standard notary activities do not generate hazardous waste; therefore EPA hazardous waste regulations generally do not apply.

All Maryland LLCs must file an Annual Report with SDAT by April 15. The filing can be completed online via the Maryland Business Express portal.

Three (3) hours of approved continuing education are required for each renewal cycle.

Notary services are considered a professional service and require this local license.

Required for all businesses operating within Baltimore City limits, including notary services. Apply online or in person.

Confirms property is zoned for business use. Home occupations (e.g., notary from residence) have restrictions on signage/traffic.

Not required in municipalities within county that have their own licensing (e.g., Towson). Notaries classified under professional services.

Allowed in residential zones with limits (no external signage, <25% floor space, no employees). See Section 409.5 of Baltimore County Zoning Regulations.

Required for most businesses including professional services like notaries. Municipalities (e.g., Rockville, Gaithersburg) may have additional requirements.

Notaries qualify as low-impact home occupations per Zoning Ordinance § 59-4.5. Limits on clients/traffic.

Professional services like notaries require license. Home-based may need additional zoning approval.

Required in most cities/counties (Baltimore, Montgomery, PG, etc.). Home occupations often prohibited from exterior signs.

Typically not required for home-based notaries or small offices without assembly occupancy.

Required in Baltimore City, Montgomery, PG Counties. Not applicable to cellular-only alarms.

A $75,000 surety bond is required for all Maryland notaries. The bond protects the public from financial loss due to improper notarial conduct. The bond must be issued by a surety company authorized in Maryland. The bond is filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county of residence. This requirement applies regardless of business structure (including LLCs).

Maryland law mandates workers' compensation insurance for all employers with one or more employees. Notaries operating as an LLC must carry coverage if they have employees. Sole proprietors or LLC members without employees are exempt. Coverage is administered through the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission.

General liability insurance is not legally required by the State of Maryland for notaries or most small businesses. However, it is strongly recommended to protect against third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage. Some commercial landlords or clients may require proof of coverage as a condition of contract or lease.

LLCs taxed as corporations must file Form 500 annually. Estimated tax payments are due quarterly (April 15, June 15, Sep 15, Jan 15 of following year).

If the LLC is a pass‑through entity, members report income on their personal returns. Estimated personal tax payments follow the same quarterly schedule as corporate.

LLC taxed as corporation files Form 1120; taxed as partnership files Form 1065. Estimated quarterly payments are due April 15, June 15, Sep 15, Jan 15.

Most Maryland counties and cities require a general business license for any operating entity. Verify with the specific locality.

Maryland law requires workers’ comp coverage for any employer with one or more employees.

Employers must file UI wage reports (Form UI‑1) each quarter.

Required posters include Minimum Wage, OSHA, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Maryland-specific notices.

Maryland law requires a notary to keep a bound journal of all notarial acts.

Maryland does not require a bond, but some clients may request one.

Most home‑based notary services operating from a private residence are exempt, but a commercial office may need inspections.