- Filing fee
- $99
- Biennial Report
- $300
- First-year gov. cost
- $198
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name District of Columbia will accept
Must include standard designators and be distinguishable.
Search existing District of Columbia business names before you commit. District of Columbia naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Physical D.C. street address is mandatory.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare District of Columbia registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division through the official filing portal and pay $99. Base filing fee.
Processing: online Roughly 15 business days; by mail N/A. Expedite: 3-day turnaround for $50, and 1-day processing for $100..
Write an operating agreement
Not filed, but deeply essential to avoid default rules under D.C. Code § 29-801.07.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Biennial Report ($300), due April 1 of the year following registration, and every two years thereafter. $100 late fee applies immediately after the deadline District of Columbia report deadlines.
Every District of Columbia LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $99 | Base filing fee. |
| Biennial Report | $300 | biennial, April 1 of the year following registration, and every two years thereafter |
| Minimum state tax | $250 | Owed regardless of income |
| Name reservation (optional) | $50 | Not specified in report |
| Change of registered agent | $50 | Requires filing a statement of change. |
| Amendment | $220 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $50 | |
| Foreign Registration Statement | $220 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Statement of Dissolution (Form DLC-8) | $220 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $55 | state |
How District of Columbia compares nationally
- District of Columbia's filing fee of $99 is the 16th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- District of Columbia's first-year government cost of $198 is the 11th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- District of Columbia's yearly cost after that of $400 is the 4th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division costs $99 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a District of Columbia street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before District of Columbia's own fees:
| Route | Year one with District of Columbia fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $99 | $0 |
| Northwest | $138 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $99 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax (UBT) at 8.25% on net income if gross receipts exceed $12,000. Mandatory minimum tax of $250.
What's different about District of Columbia
- Nearly every operating D.C. LLC is legally required to obtain a Basic Business License (BBL) before conducting business.
- Business income is essentially double-taxed at the entity level and personal level.
More District of Columbia LLC guides
District of Columbia LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in District of Columbia?
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division charges $99 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $198 in government fees ($99 for Articles of Organization plus ~$99 for a standard Basic Business License.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in District of Columbia?
Online: Roughly 15 business days. By mail: N/A. Expedited: 3-day turnaround for $50, and 1-day processing for $100..
Does a District of Columbia LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. District of Columbia requires the Biennial Report, which costs $300, filed biennial. Due: April 1 of the year following registration, and every two years thereafter. $100 late fee applies immediately after the deadline
Can I be my own registered agent in District of Columbia?
Yes. Physical D.C. street address is mandatory. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does District of Columbia require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. District of Columbia has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in District of Columbia?
Not filed, but deeply essential to avoid default rules under D.C. Code § 29-801.07.
What taxes does a District of Columbia LLC pay to the state?
Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax (UBT) at 8.25% on net income if gross receipts exceed $12,000. Mandatory minimum tax of $250.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: name reservation.duration.