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Start a business in District of Columbia

District of Columbia LLCs are formed by filing the Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1) with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection for $99, with typical processing of 5-10 business days. We prepare every supporting document around those exact requirements — District of Columbia names, addresses, agent rules and deadlines baked in.

Filing office
DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
LLC document
Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1)
LLC filing fee
$99
Corporation fee
$99
Ongoing report
Biennial report ($300)
Processing time
5-10 business days

District of Columbia watch-out — Basic Business License and clean hands certification usually required.

How to start an LLC in District of Columbia

  1. 01

    Choose and check your District of Columbia business name

    Search the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection business-name database for an available name that includes an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company".

  2. 02

    Appoint a District of Columbia registered agent

    District of Columbia requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state during business hours. We can serve as your agent for $89.95 per year.

  3. 03

    File the Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1)

    Submit the Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1) to the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection with the $99 filing fee. Typical processing is 5-10 business days.

  4. 04

    Get your federal EIN from the IRS

    Your District of Columbia LLC needs an EIN to open a business bank account, hire employees and file taxes. Our EIN service prepares and submits IRS Form SS-4 for $49.95.

  5. 05

    Adopt an operating agreement

    An operating agreement sets ownership percentages, voting, distributions and buy-out rules for your District of Columbia LLC. Generate one here for $2.95.

  6. 06

    Stay compliant

    Biennial report ($300). Missing a report can administratively dissolve your District of Columbia entity, so calendar it the day you form.

How much does an LLC cost in District of Columbia?

The District of Columbia LLC filing fee is $99, paid to the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection when you submit the Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1). A corporation costs $99. After formation: biennial report ($300).

District of Columbia LLC cost breakdown
ItemCost
District of Columbia state filing fee (Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1))$99
Registered agent (optional, per year)$89.95
Operating agreement$2.95
EIN filing service (IRS Form SS-4)$49.95
Full formation document kit$2.95 per document

District of Columbia formation documents

Articles of Organization Worksheet (State-Specific)

Every answer your state's filing office asks for, prepared and explained — so the formation filing goes through first time.

LLC Operating Agreement (State-Specific)

Ownership, capital, distributions, voting and exit terms written against your state's LLC act — the document banks and investors ask for.

EIN Application Worksheet (IRS Form SS-4)

Line-by-line SS-4 preparation so your federal EIN application is accepted on the first submission.

Corporate Bylaws (State-Specific)

Board, officer, shareholder and meeting rules for a new corporation, matched to your state's corporations code.

Organizational & Banking Resolutions

First-meeting resolutions appointing officers, adopting the operating agreement and authorizing the business bank account.

Beneficial Ownership (FinCEN BOI) Worksheet

Work out whether your new entity is a reporting company and prepare every data point FinCEN asks for.

Business Startup Checklist (State-Specific)

Filing, EIN, licences, bank account, insurance and tax registrations for your state, in the order they must happen.

Launch services for District of Columbia

  • Registered Agent — 1 year

    We act as your registered agent in your formation state, keep a compliant street address on the public record and forward every service of process the day it arrives.

    $89.95
  • EIN Application Service

    We prepare and submit your IRS Form SS-4 so your federal Employer Identification Number lands without the IRS portal headaches.

    $49.95
  • Trademark Search & Filing Prep

    Full USPTO knock-out search, class selection and a filing-ready TEAS application package for your business name or logo.

    $89.95
  • Online Notary Session

    Remote online notarization for formation documents, bank resolutions and affidavits — identity-verified, recorded and sealed.

    $24.95
  • AI Logo & Brand Mark Package

    AI-generated logo concepts built from your business name, industry and style direction — delivered with the files you need for filings, banking and your website.

    $19.95

Other states

View all 51 jurisdictions →

The Doc Rocket provides self-service document generation and filing support, not legal representation or legal advice. District of Columbia fees and deadlines change — confirm current figures with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection before filing.