Business License Information

To obtain a license, you must first determine what type of license you need, if any. The Clerk's Office issues several types of licenses. The Clerk's Office will be happy to provide information regarding any of the licenses we issue and to assist with any of your procedural questions. Contact us at (301) 932-3308. However, we cannot provide any legal advice or be responsible for determining the type of license you should purchase.

You can quickly obtain access to information on the permits and licenses you may need to start, relocate, or expand a business in Maryland by using the following links:

How to Apply

  1. Complete the application by providing the following information to the Clerk:
    • Type of license for which you are applying
    • Owner's name (Individual, Corporation, etc.)
    • Location address
    • Mailing address
    • Social Security Number or Federal Tax Identification Number
    • Phone Number
    • Worker's Compensation Policy Number or Certificate of Compliance Corporate ID Number and number of employees (if applicable)
    • Amount of inventory, if applying for a Trader's License
    • Sales and Use Tax Number, if applying for a Trader's License
    • Number of Vending Machines, to include the address of each location
    • SDAT Account Number
  2. The application must be signed by the Owner or a Corporate Officer.
  3. Pay required license fees to the Clerk of the Circuit Court- cash, check, Visa, or Mastercard accepted.

For more information regarding Tobacconists and Other Tobacco Products Retailers, please read the following handouts from the Comptroller's Office:
TT-13 (frequently asked questions)
TT-68 (House Bill 88 - Other Tobacco Products Retailers, Tobacconists)

Trader's License

Trader's license fee is based on the wholesale value of your retail inventory. Please refer to the following chart for the fees. Each type of license is subject to a $2.00 issuing fee, which is separate from the license fee listed below.


Trader's License Fees - 
All Counties Excluding Baltimore City

INVENTORY AMOUNT

FEE

0

to

1,000

15

1,001

to

1,500

18

1,501

to

2,500

20

2,501

to

4,000

25

4,001

to

6,000

30

6,001

to

8,000

40

8,001

to

10,000

50

10,001

to

15,000

65

15,001

to

20,000

80

20,001

to

30,000

100

30,001

to

40,000

125

40,001

to

50,000

150

50,001

to

75,000

200

75,001

to

100,000

250

100,001

to

150,000

300

150,001

to

200,000

350

200,001

to

300,000

400

300,001

to

400,000

500

400,001

to

500,000

600

500,001

to

750,000

750

750,001 and over

800

 

Home Improvement Licenses