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6 Resources to Find the Information You Need About a Maryland Business
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District Court Judges
report that failing to sue the proper legal party is
a common mistake for self-represented persons.
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The DAT database shows the business's principal office and other contact information such as the resident agent. The resident agent is the person designated to accept service of a lawsuit. More terms used in the DAT database.
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Tip - When you look up a business, you
will find a principal office listed. This may not be the
same location as the one where you conducted your business
transaction. To find out if this is the same business,
contact the resident agent or owner. Ask if they have a
business at the location with which you are familiar. The
database lists an address but not a phone number. You can
find the phone number by searching the Internet or calling
Directory Assistance.
Resource #2 - If you know the Trade Name of the Business …
Businesses can (but are not required to)
register a "trade name" with the
Department of Assessments
and Taxation. “A trade name is the
name by which a business is known to the public to
distinguish it from another business or person.”
For information on trade names, contact the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation,
Trade Name Search and Registration.
Resource #3 - If you know the Trademark of the business…
“A trademark is a unique graphic symbol or logo associated with a business, which distinguishes it from another business or person.” For more information on trademark registration, contact the Trademark Division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
Resource #4 - For individuals with certain occupations, research the business license
Contact the
Clerk of the Circuit Court in
the county in which the business is located.
Regulatory licenses are issued by the Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation (DLLR).
The DLLR website has information on licensed individuals and their
locations. You can also call the Division of Occupational
and Professional Licensing (410) 218-5925
“Individuals working in the following areas need to obtain occupational or professional licenses in addition to State and local business licenses:”
- Architects
- Barbers
- Bay Pilots
- Certified Public Accountants
- Cosmetologists
- Master Electricians
- Examining Engineers
- Foresters
- Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Home Improvement Contractors and Sales
- Interior Designers
- Landscape Architects
- Office of Cemetery Oversight
- Professional Engineers
- Professional Land Surveyors
- Plumbers
- Real Estate Appraisers
- Real Estate Brokers and Sales
- Secondhand Precious Metal Object Dealers and Pawnbrokers
- Sports Agents
- Members of the Boxing, Kickboxing and Wrestling Industry
Resource # 5 – Information on finance companies and financial institutions
“The MD Division of Financial Regulation (410) 230-6100
regulates and, in many instances, licenses, the operation of
banks, credit unions, consumer loan companies, sales finance
companies, mortgage companies, and collection agencies. “
See their
website for
official address information on these regulated institutions.
Resource # 6 – Finding the information behind the fictitious name
A fictitious business name is the name of a business that is different than the owner’s name. If a person is operating a business under the name "Elf Web Design", Maryland requires that person to call the Department of Assessments and Taxation to reserve a business entity name and to provide the following information:
- the full legal name of the entity;
- the address of the business entity and
- type of legal entity of the business. (Corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, etc).
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Last date updated 01/08/08 (PLL/M.A.J.) |