Washington DC LLC Filing:
Choose a Business Name
When selecting a name, please include the corporate indicator(LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liabiliy Company, etc). Keep in mind that certain words may require further review for approval from the state(ex: bank, insurance, financial institution,etc)
To begin, you’ll submit 3 business name options in order of preference. Our team will conduct a name availability and trademark search for each. Once we receive the results, we’ll let you know which names are available.
Once you confirm your final choice, we’ll start the filing process
Choose a Registered Agent
When forming a business in DC, you are required to designate a registered agent. This individual or company is responsible for receiving official correspondence on your behalf, including documents from state and federal agencies like the IRS or the court system.
Washington DC allows you to serve as your own registered agent if you reside in the state. If you’re not a DC resident, you’ll need to appoint a third-party agent, which may involve a registered agent service fee.
*No PO Box Allowed*
*While NGBS is not currently a registered agent in DC, we’re happy to provide trusted third-party recommendations upon request.*
Washington DC Biennial Report
Every 2 years on the odd number year(ex:2027) you will be required to file a biennial report with the Secretary of State. This report is mandatory to maintain compliance. Failure to file by the deadline will result in late fees.
Basic Business License
Washington DC requires most LLC's to obtain a Basic Business License to operate within the District. While some businesses are exempt it is recommended that you confirm with the Dept of Licensing. If you need assistance please reach out for guidance.
Business Registration
Once you have read and understand the process and requirements for choosing your business name, deciding upon a registered agent, and understanding that your business requires routine filling maintenance; you are now ready to form your business.
Below is the link to the formation order form. Once this form is completed, we will prep the documents and submit them to the Secretary of State for processing. Washington DC has a state filing fee of $99. The processing time varies based on current volume and when the documents are filed.