Q: How can I keep my home address private for a Maryland sole proprietorship?

A: You need a real address for the principal office. It does not need to be your personal residence. Obviously, that means you need to arrange for another address. If you have a friend or colleague willing to let you use their existing office for the purpose, basically a mail drop for you, that’s one option. There are “virtual” or satellite offices for lease that have brick and mortar addresses which provide basic services (phone, fax, receptionist) and use of a conference room or office, not necessarily a designated 24/7 space, but by scheduling in advance. Monthly costs vary. As for resident agents, there are a number of companies that act as resident agents for an annual fee.

A: In Maryland, as a sole proprietor, you are required to provide a business address when registering your business, but your home address does not necessarily have to be disclosed publicly. While a P.O. Box cannot be used for the business registration, you may still have options to maintain privacy. One possibility is to use a registered agent, who can act as the official point of contact for your business.

A registered agent’s address will be listed on official documents, which means your home address can remain private. However, note that the registered agent’s address will appear in public filings, so you should select a service that you trust and that offers the level of privacy you desire.

In addition to using a registered agent, you might also want to explore other privacy options like renting a virtual office address or using a commercial mailbox service, as long as they comply with Maryland’s business registration requirements. It’s a good idea to confirm with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation about the specific rules and ensure you're meeting all requirements while maintaining your privacy.