Wedding Planner Permit Requirements in Baltimore, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a wedding planner in Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland.

Verified 2026-08-19 5 stops $100–$600 est. 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees, operate as an LLC/corporation, or file certain business tax returns. Free from the IRS. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their SSN instead.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Maryland

2 stops

  1. Maryland Sales and Use Tax Registration

    Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland. Register free with the Maryland Comptroller's Office.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via bFile)

  2. General Liability Insurance (Recommended)

    Wedding planners in Maryland are not legally required to carry liability insurance, but most venues require proof of $1M–$2M general liability coverage before allowing a planner to work on-site. Many clients also require it in your contract.

    $400–$1,200/yearSame day (online quotes)

City of Baltimore / Baltimore City

2 stops

  1. Baltimore Business License

    Baltimore City does not issue a generic business license for all businesses. Maryland business licensing runs through the state court system: businesses that sell goods need a traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (fee based on average commercial inventory, $20-$2,125/year in Baltimore City per Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807). Most pure service businesses need no traders license. Baltimore City's Department of Finance issues only specific license types (e.g., late-night commercial operations, going-out-of-business sales), and location-based businesses need a DHCD use & occupancy permit.

    Official government source

    $0 general licensing for a pure wedding-planning service1–3 weeks

  2. DBA (Doing Business As) Registration

    If operating under a trade name (e.g., 'Perfect Day Events'), register it with SDAT via Maryland Business Express before accepting payments under the business name.

    Official government source

    SDAT trade-name filing - standard fee $25 (confirm current amount); expedited extra1–2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$600 · 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses

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