How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in District of Columbia?

Washington D.C. LLC Online Filing Fee: $99

The main cost to start an LLC is the $99 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the Washington D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.

For a look at LLC cost in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.

Washington D.C. Biennial Report Fee: $300

Washington D.C. requires LLCs to file a biennial report with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.

You can submit this form through the Washington D.C. CorpOnline website. It is due on April 1 of the year following LLC formation. Thereafter, a new report must be filed every second year by April 1. Washington D.C. charges a $100 penalty for failure to file on time.

Registered Agent Fee

In Washington D.C. you can be your own registered agent, but using a registered agent service helps keep your company in compliance and reminds you of important filing deadlines and avoid late fees.

• If you need to form a new business and get a registered agent, the best package is by Northwest Registered Agent $29 + state fees

OR:

• If only a registered agent is required, Northwest provides an excellent service: $125

Read our guide to learn more about Washington D.C. Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Washington D.C.

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Washington D.C., you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Washington D.C.

The cost for registering a Washington D.C. foreign LLC is $220. You can register a foreign LLC in Washington D.C. by filing a Foreign Registration Statement (Form FN-1).

Business Permits and Licenses

Depending on your industry and geographical location, your business might need federal and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Washington D.C. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.

Learn more about local licensing with our guide to getting a Washington D.C. business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 60 days prior to LLC formation (with the option to renew) by filing Form GN-3 and paying the $50 filing fee.

“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
Register for a trade name online and pay the $55 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Certificate of Fact:
You can obtain a Washington D.C. certificate of good standing by ordering through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection and paying the $50 fee. A certificate of good standing is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Washington D.C.

Step 1: Name Your Washington D.C. LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Washington D.C. LLC

When you name your Washington D.C. LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in Washington D.C.
2. Meets Washington D.C. naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Washington D.C. guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Washington D.C.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

All LLCs in Washington D.C. must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the district. But most importantly, they are responsible for accepting service of process in the event your business is sued.

Your Washington D.C. registered agent must:

• Be at least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in Washington D.C.
• Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

The Washington D.C. Form DLC-1 - Articles of Organization is a document that is filed with the Washington D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection to form an LLC. The fee for filing the Articles of Organization is $99 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Articles of Organization, visit our How to File the Washington D.C. Articles of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for Washington D.C. LLCs, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Washington D.C. LLC operating agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening a business bank account
• Hiring employees