Do I have to register for Maryland FAMLI? Yes, with one employee in Maryland — and only an Authorized Officer can register
Published Sep 19, 2026
Page updated Oct 10, 2026
Short answer, as of October 8, 2026: Yes, if you have at least one employee in Maryland. The official registration page says: "There are no exceptions under state law." Registration opened to all employers on September 1, 2026. The State's two registration pages give no deadline for existing employers (read October 8, 2026), but deductions apply to wages paid on or after January 1, 2027. Only an Authorized Officer of the employer can register.
Who must register
The registration page gives one test: at least one employee in Maryland.
- Size does not matter. An employer with fewer than 15 employees registers too. It pays less. See the under-15 rule.
- A family that employs a nanny is an employer. The Contributions FAQ (April 2026, Q35) says: "Yes, an employer is anyone who pays a salary or wage to at least one person." See household employers.
- Groups that are exempt from unemployment insurance are not exempt from FAMLI. The same FAQ (Q36) says: "There are no exemptions".
- An employer that plans to use a private plan registers too. The Declaration of Intent is filed in the FAMLI account.
Who does not register as an employer
§ 8.3-101 says a sole owner who is the only person employed by their own business is not an "employer". That person is self-employed under the law. § 8.3-201 says self-employed Maryland residents may opt in later. The rules for that option are due on or before July 1, 2028.
Who can register: the Authorized Officer
Only an Authorized Officer can register. The registration page names these roles:
- owner or partner
- executive director
- CEO, CFO or COO
- president
- secretary
- household employer
- another person with equal legal authority under the employer's bylaws
The Authorized Officer proves identity through Login.gov. The check uses a Social Security Number and a driver's licence or state ID card. The State says this data "will not be stored in your FAMLI account". The officer confirms the role "under penalty of perjury".
Who cannot register for you
The State says: "TPAs cannot complete registration on behalf of their clients. This helps prevent unauthorized enrollment." A payroll bureau, CPA or other third-party administrator (TPA) can work for you only after you register.
- You register.
- The TPA sends you an invitation.
- You sign the Power of Attorney within 30 days of the invitation.
- If the invitation expires, ask the TPA for a new one. The State's Manage FAMLI for clients page (read October 8, 2026) says: "The invitation expires after 30 days. Please check with your TPA and request a new invitation, if it expired."
More: third-party administrator and Power of Attorney.
One registration for each EIN
The registration page says one registration for each federal EIN. Sub-agencies and divisions that share an EIN register together. The registration guide warns that the registration type (employer or TPA) cannot be changed later.
Is there a deadline?
| Employer | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Existing employer | No deadline on the State's two registration pages (read Oct 8, 2026). "As soon as possible." | Governor's release, Sep 1, 2026 |
| Employer that starts after contributions begin | Within 20 days of the first payment of wages to a qualified employee | COMAR 09.42.02.03 |
An early registration period for "key employers" ran before September 1, 2026 (MD Labor bulletin, July 6, 2026). An employer can truthfully say that it registered before that date.
What happens if I do not register
Sections 8.3-901 to 8.3-905 of the statute (Md. Code, Labor and Employment) do not have the word "register", and the two registration regulations (COMAR 09.42.02.02 and 09.42.02.03) name no penalty (all read on October 8, 2026). This does not mean no penalty. You cannot file the quarterly report or pay without an account. The first report and payment are due Apr 30, 2027.
- COMAR 09.42.02.09 gives 30 days to cure a missed payment. Interest is 1.5 percent per month or part of a month.
- § 8.3-903 allows an extra assessment "not to exceed two times the contributions withheld". COMAR 09.42.02.09B(2) says "not to exceed two times the contributions delinquent to the Division".
- If reports are not filed, the Division may estimate wages and assess on the estimate.
- § 8.3-905 allows a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each employee.
Details: penalties and interest.
Next step
Read the registration walk-through for the data you need. Use the steps checker to see which steps apply to your business.
This is a private website, not a government site. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Official site: paidleave.maryland.gov.
Sources
- Maryland FAMLI — Understand employer registration — checked Oct 8, 2026
- Maryland FAMLI — Registration guide — checked Oct 8, 2026
- Maryland FAMLI — Manage FAMLI for clients (third-party administrators) — checked Oct 8, 2026
- COMAR 09.42.02.03 — registration of new employers — checked Oct 8, 2026
- MD Labor — news index (release of September 1, 2026) — checked Oct 8, 2026
- Maryland FAMLI — Contributions FAQ, April 2026 (Q35, Q36) — checked Oct 8, 2026
Frequently asked questions
›Is there a deadline to register for Maryland FAMLI?
The State's Understand employer registration page and its registration guide give no deadline for existing employers (read October 8, 2026). The Governor's release of September 1, 2026 says employers are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible. A new employer that starts after contributions begin must register within 20 days of its first wage payment (COMAR 09.42.02.03).
›Can my payroll company or accountant register for me?
No. The State says third-party administrators cannot complete registration on behalf of their clients. You register first. Then the administrator sends an invitation and you sign a Power of Attorney within 30 days.
›I have one part-time employee. Do I have to register?
Yes. The registration page says an employer with at least one employee in Maryland is required to register online. It says there are no exceptions under state law.
›I own an LLC and I am the only worker. Do I register?
No. Under § 8.3-101 a sole owner who is the only person employed by their own business is not an employer. Self-employed residents may opt in later. The rules for that option are due on or before July 1, 2028.
›Do I register one time for each location?
No. The registration page says one registration for each federal EIN. Divisions with the same EIN register together.
Private website. Not affiliated with the State of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Labor or the FAMLI Division. Official site: paidleave.maryland.gov. General information with sources and check dates — not legal, tax or insurance advice. We are not a licensed insurance producer; we do not recommend any agent, insurer or plan, and we receive no commission or fee based on any insurance sale.