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District of Columbia · Registered agent rules

District of Columbia registered agent

Every District of Columbia LLC needs an agent with a physical District of Columbia address. Here's who qualifies, what switching costs, and how the paid services compare.

Last verified 2026-11-01 against official District of Columbia sources

Short answer: Physical D.C. street address is mandatory. Changing agents costs $50.

We've pulled these figures from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.

Who can serve as a District of Columbia registered agent

Physical D.C. street address is mandatory.

You can be your own agent in District of Columbia. The catch: your street address lands on the public record, and you need to be there during business hours to accept legal papers.

Paid registered agent services

Registered agent pricing checked November 1, 2026 on each provider's site.
ServiceYearly priceWhat stands out
Northwest Registered Agent$125Uses its address on your public filings by default; scans state and legal mail
BizeeFree year 1 with formation, then $149Says it runs its own offices in all 50 states; sends service of process by tracked FedEx
ZenBusiness$199Sold as an add-on, not included with formation
LegalZoom$249Sold separately from its LLC packages

Compare all four in our registered agent rankings, or read the Bizee vs Northwest comparison.

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia's fee to change registered agents is $50. That's the 4th highest of 45 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $20, so District of Columbia runs $30 above it.

District of Columbia and nearby states, fee to change registered agents. See all 45 jurisdictions.
StateFeeNational rank (1 = highest)
District of Columbia$504 of 45
Maryland$2513 of 45
South Carolina$1527 of 45
Delaware$504 of 45
Georgia$040 of 45
VirginiaVariesNot confirmed

District of Columbia fees that apply here

Source: Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division, checked November 1, 2026.
FilingState feeNotes
Articles of Organization$99Base filing fee.
Change of registered agent$50Requires filing a statement of change.

Registered agent rules: District of Columbia questions

What are the registered agent requirements in District of Columbia?

Physical D.C. street address is mandatory.

Can I be my own registered agent in District of Columbia?

Yes, if you meet District of Columbia's requirements. Your address will appear on public filings, and you'll need to be available during business hours.

How much does it cost to change registered agents in District of Columbia?

The state charges $50. Requires filing a statement of change.

Can a registered agent use a PO box in District of Columbia?

No. Registered agents need a physical street address in District of Columbia where legal papers can be delivered in person during business hours.

How much does a registered agent service cost in District of Columbia?

Commercial services typically charge a yearly fee. Northwest charges $125 a year and Bizee charges $149 a year after a free first year with formation, based on prices we checked. The state doesn't regulate these prices.

What happens if my District of Columbia LLC doesn't have a registered agent?

You can miss lawsuits and state notices, and the state can eventually move to revoke or dissolve the LLC. Failure to file triggers administrative dissolution.

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.