How to Form an LLC in District of Columbia

Forming an LLC in District of Columbia means filing formation documents with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) and paying a $99 filing fee. The steps below follow the order most founders work in, from checking the name to setting up ongoing compliance. District of Columbia charges $300 for the report, filed every two years, so plan for that from the start.

Step 1: Choose and check your LLC name

Your District of Columbia LLC name must be distinguishable from other registered entities and include a designator such as "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." Search the state's business database through the District of Columbia filing office before you commit to a name, and check that a matching domain and trademark are free. Many states let you reserve a name for a short period for a small fee if you need time before filing.

Step 2: Appoint a registered agent

Every District of Columbia LLC needs a registered agent with a physical street address in the state who can accept legal papers during business hours. You can serve as your own agent if you live in District of Columbia, appoint a co-owner who does, or hire a commercial service. Our registered agent guide covers the trade-offs.

Step 3: File the formation document

File the Articles of Organization (some states call it a Certificate of Formation) with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). The filing fee is $99. Online filing is available in most states and is usually faster than mail. Processing times and expedite options vary, so check the current schedule before you file.

Step 4: Write an operating agreement

An operating agreement sets out ownership, management, voting, profit splits, and what happens if a member leaves. District of Columbia may not require you to file it, but having one supports your liability protection and settles disputes before they start. Single-member LLCs benefit too, because it documents that the business is separate from you. See the operating agreement guide for a clause outline.

Step 5: Get an EIN and open a business bank account

Apply for a free Employer Identification Number on IRS.gov. Never pay a third party for this. With the formation document and EIN you can open a business bank account, which keeps personal and business money apart.

Step 6: Handle ongoing filings and taxes

District of Columbia charges $300 for the report, filed every two years. District of Columbia also has an entity-level tax to plan for: Franchise tax for corps. District of Columbia taxes personal income, so LLC owners report their share of profit on a District of Columbia return in addition to the federal one. Put every deadline on a calendar the day you form, because missed reports can lead to penalties and administrative dissolution.

Step 7: Register for local licenses and state taxes

Check city and county requirements wherever you operate in District of Columbia. Many municipalities require a business license even for home-based or online businesses. If you sell taxable goods or services, register with the District of Columbia tax agency for a sales tax permit, and register as an employer before you hire.

District of Columbia LLC at a glance

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia's LLC filing fee is $99, $1 below the national median of $100. 14 of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) charge less to file. Filing fees are only part of the picture, so the table below sets District of Columbia beside five states founders often consider.

Forming outside the state where you live and work rarely saves money. A business operating in District of Columbia that forms elsewhere generally still has to register as a foreign LLC in District of Columbia and pay both states' fees. Our best states for an LLC guide explains when an out-of-state filing makes sense.

District of Columbia specific notes

DC is unusual: LLCs file with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection rather than a Secretary of State, and the biennial report carries one of the higher fees in the country.

What it costs to get started

State fees for the first year come to $99 for the filing, before optional extras such as a commercial registered agent, expedited processing, or a certified copy of your formation document. The District of Columbia LLC cost breakdown shows the full picture.