MBE Required Documents

This includes:

• Completed, signed application with six digit NAICS codes included
• Notarized Disclosure of Affidavit
• “N/A” written for any section that does not apply

For owners claiming disadvantaged status:

• Statement of Disadvantage, signed, notarized, and dated with a wet-ink or electronic signature

This includes:

• Official Certificate or screenshot from the Maryland Business Express (MDAT) website
• Business registered as a Foreign Entity, if your business is an out-of-state firm

This includes:

• Business registration payment showing the owner’s initial contribution
• Canceled checks (not blank or voided) showing payment for ownership interest
• Wire transfer records used to acquire ownership
• Personal and/or business bank statements showing transfer of personal funds into the business

Special circumstances

If the business is over five (5) years old and original documents are unavailable:

• Signed, itemized statement detailing personal financial investment
• Supporting documents showing ongoing personal contributions (i.e. SDAT Annual Filing/Property Tax filings)

If ownership was acquired through a gift:

• Gift letter or legal documentation describing the gift (date, value, terms)
• Updated organizational documents reflecting the ownership transfer

If no supporting documents are available:

• Written explanation explaining why documentation cannot be provided

Each resume should include: 

• Job titles and detailed duties in chronological order
• Date, roles and duties within the firm
• All places of ownership/employment
• Dates for each position listed
• Education, professional certifications, licenses, and affiliations

This includes:

• Signed U.S. Passport or
• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card or
• Signed Naturalization Certificate or
• Birth Certificate and Government issued photo ID

This includes, the following, for personal assets and liabilities only:

• Personal net worth statement. This is required for all disadvantaged owners with 51% ownership.
• Last 2 bank statements. Include all pages for all personally held accounts.
• Retirement and Investment account statements
• Most current credit card statements
• Most current mortgage statements. Only for additional real estate owned.
• Home insurance declarations page
• Most current loan statements from all personal loans. This includes car note and Kelley Blue Book Report.

Learn how to calculate your personal net worth

Required for each owner holding 51% ownership. 

Taxes must include:

• Separate tax returns by year
• Original wet ink or electronic signature(s) with date. If filed jointly, both signatures are required.
• All schedules, statements, attachments, worksheets, and footnotes 

Do not provide password protected documents. Individual tax return pages will not be accepted.

Taxes must include:

• Separate tax returns by year
• Original wet ink or electronic signature(s) with date
• All schedules, statements, attachments, worksheets, and footnotes
• All pages of Schedule C (Form 1040) for the past 3 years, if you used Schedule C for your business taxes

Do not provide password protected documents. Individual tax return pages will not be accepted.

Taxes must include:

• Original wet ink or electronic signature and date

Statements must be as of December 31st.

New businesses must provide a current financial statement.

Non-CPA statements are acceptable.

This includes:

• Quarterly State Tax Wage Reports for all states where the business files unemployment 
• Employee list
• 1099s issued for the previous tax year, if workers are independent contractors/subcontractors

Special circumstances

If an owner takes drawings:

• Include proof of owner's draws (i.e. cancelled checks, personal bank statements) for the last fiscal year

If none of the above apply:

• Include a written statement indicating why

This includes:

• Copy of all home state MBE certifications, if applicable
• Copy of any additional certifications held
• Copies of all certification approvals and denials

All copies must come from a state or local governmental agency.

Out-of-state firms seeking Maryland MBE Certification must be certified in the home state before seeking MBE Certification in Maryland. All Out-Of State firms must meet Maryland MBE eligibility standards.

This includes:

• Industry-specific licenses held by the business. For out-of-state firms, provide permits & licenses from your home state and Maryland.
• Licenses, permits, or certifications held by the disadvantaged owner(s)

This includes:

• Signature card or
• Bank letter showing who is authorized to sign checks on the business account(s) 

This includes all pages, unredacted and signed by all parties of:

• Leases (i.e. office space, storage locations, equipment rental)
• Loan agreements
• Supplier contracts
• Distributorship agreements
• Any additional agreements (i.e. bartering agreements, subcontracting agreements)

This includes:

• Computers, laptops, tablets, phones, software etc. 
• Vehicles 
• Machinery 
• Tools
• Other essential equipment

This includes:

• State-issued vehicle titles or registrations for all vehicles/equipment owned by the business
• Current vehicle insurance policy declaration page
• Current business insurance policy covering vehicles/equipment
• Executed lease agreement, signed by both parties, for any leased vehicles/equipment

If your personal vehicle is used for business purposes, please provide the above and a written statement explaining this.

This includes:

• All pages of three signed and dated contracts and invoices, if applicable. Task orders, purchase orders, proposals, and invoices are acceptable.
• A statement of work (SOW)
• Proof of payment for each contract/invoice
• Scopes of work for job contracts, if applicable 

If the business has no contracts, provide a written statement indicating this.

This includes:

• All pages of any trust agreements for the past three years, signed and dated by all parties, for all owners claiming disadvantaged status
• A list of all assets held in the trust and trust
• A list of all trust beneficiaries
• Trust tax documents for the most recent 3 years, if applicable

This is encouraged for businesses less than one year old, but not required.

Sole Proprietorships

• Active Trade Name Registration, if operating under a trade name
• Active Sole Proprietorship registration

Limited Liability Companies (LLC)

• Original and amended Articles of Organization, state-signed
• Original and amended Operating Agreements with all exhibits 

Corporations

•  Original and amended Articles of Incorporation, state-signed
• All Board of Directors and Stockholder meeting minutes, signed and dated
• Stock ledger
• All stock certificates, current and canceled
• Original and amended Bylaws, signed and dated
• Shareholder Agreements, signed and dated

Partnerships

• Executed Partnership Agreement(s), signed and dated
• Profit-sharing agreement with all attachments, signed and dated