Where can I get more information about forming LLCs in Washington, D.C.?

We invite you to take a look at our guide to forming a limited liability company in Washington, D.C. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in the District step by step, helping ensure that you don’t miss any crucial elements.

How can I search the District of Columbia’s business name database?

One of the most important steps in forming a Washington, D.C., LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the D.C. Business Center’s business search to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Washington, D.C., check out our D.C. business search page.

Where can I find the Washington, D.C., Articles of Organization?

You can fill out the Articles of Organization in the District’s CorpOnline system.

What are D.C.’s ongoing LLC maintenance requirements?

In Washington, D.C., an LLC’s ongoing maintenance requirements include the biennial report. This filing is due every other year by April 1, and there’s a $300 filing fee.

Where can I learn more about the District of Columbia LLC licensing and permitting requirements?

Every D.C. LLC will need a business license, either a basic business license or a general business license. LLCs must also have a zoning permit, either a Home Occupation permit or a Certificate of Occupancy. Your business is also likely to need industry and/or other licenses and permits. See our District of Columbia business licensing page for more information.

How quickly does D.C. process LLC formations?

If you apply online, your request can take anywhere from 5 to 7 business days. If you file via mail, it can take approximately three weeks, not counting the time in transit. D.C. has options for expediting your filing for an additional fee.

Which company provides the best Washington, D.C., registered agent service?

If you want more details about what these companies can offer in the District, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to the best D.C. registered agent services .

How can I dissolve my District of Columbia LLC?

Unfortunately, not all businesses last forever. If the time comes when you need to close your LLC’s doors, you’ll need to do so in a manner consistent with the District’s regulations. That’s why we wrote our guide to D.C. LLC dissolutions , so you can complete the process in a compliant manner.

What if I need to expand a business from another state to Washington, D.C.?

If your LLC already exists in another state, you don’t actually need to “form” it in Washington, D.C. Instead, you’ll need to foreign-qualify the business in the District. This process is somewhat similar to LLC formation, but there are some crucial differences as well. Take a look at our guide to foreign qualifications in the District of Columbia for more information.

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Best LLC Services
> Best District of Columbia (DC) LLC Services

Best District of Columbia (DC) LLC Services of October 2025 (Reviewed by ZenBusiness)

ZenBusiness is our top choice for forming an LLC in District of Columbia (DC). With low costs ($0 formation, pay only the $99 state fee), Velo™ AI assistant, and a 4.8★ rating, ZenBusiness provides step-by-step guidance, tracks deadlines, and sends compliance alerts so you never miss filings. With 850,000+ businesses formed, it’s an easy, stress-free way to start your LLC.

Starts at $0 + state fee and only takes 5-10 minutes

Last Updated: August 27, 2025

Trying to find the best LLC formation service in the District of Columbia for your business? Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or an experienced business owner, choosing the right LLC formation service can save you time, money, and stress. In this comparison guide, we break down top providers like ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Bizee (formerly Incfile), and Northwest Registered Agent. You’ll see how they stack up in terms of pricing, features, and customer support — plus what each service is best known for. If you’re looking for great value and reliable service, ZenBusiness is a standout option for forming an LLC in the District of Columbia.

Compare the Best District of Columbia (DC) LLC Formation Services

LLC Service Provider	Starting Price (Excl. State Fees)	Registered Agent	Money-Back Guarantee	Best For
ZenBusiness	$0	Add-on, $199/yr	60 days	Overall value
Bizee (Incfile)	$0	1st year free, then $119/yr	✘	Basic formation
LegalZoom	$0	Add-on, $249/yr	60 days	Legal support
Northwest Registered Agent	$39	1st year free, then $125/yr	✘	Personalized support

✨ZenBusiness✨

Excellent LLC Services in District of Columbia (DC)

If you’re looking for an overall, excellent LLC formation service in District of Columbia (DC), go with us at ZenBusiness. We’ve already formed 850,000+ businesses since 2015!

Pros

✔ Free LLC formation (only pay District of Columbia (DC) state fees)
✔ 60-day money-back guarantee
✔ 25217+ reviews with a 4.8 average rating
✔ Award-winning customer support
✔ Extended customer service hours, including Saturdays and Sundays
✔ Socially conscious company (Public Benefit Corporation)

Cons

✘ Registered agent service costs extra after the first year
✘ Some advanced features require higher-tier plans

If you want socially conscious District of Columbia (DC) LLC formation services with a service discount, choose ZenBusiness.

Bizee (Incfile)

Another LLC service is Bizee (formerly known as Infile), with a basic formation service that would only require you to pay District of Columbia (DC)’s state filing fee. Bizee is a well-known choice, with more than one million businesses formed since they opened in 2004. They also have a variety of features to suit a business owner’s needs.

Pros

✔ Free LLC formation (only pay District of Columbia (DC) state fees)
✔ Includes one year of registered agent service ($119/yr afterward)
✔ Large customer base with 20,932+ reviews (as of April 2025)
✔ Phone and email support

Cons

✘ Lots of upsells can increase overall costs
✘ Customer support can be slow during peak times
✘ No weekend phone support available

Keep in Mind: Even though their District of Columbia (DC) LLC formation service is free, you’re going to deal with more upsells and potentially higher overall prices as a result.

Want to learn more? See our Bizee review.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is the most well-known service in this industry, handling millions of LLC formations since 1999. They handle huge volumes of entity formations in District of Columbia (DC) and offer legal services beyond formations.

Pros

✔ Established brand with 4 million+ LLCs formed
✔ Extended customer service hours, including Saturdays
✔ Offers legal services beyond District of Columbia (DC) LLC formation

Cons

✘ Aggressive upsells during the ordering process
✘ Registered agent service is expensive ($249/yr)
✘ Not the best value compared to other services available in District of Columbia (DC)

Want to learn more? See our LegalZoom review.

Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent also offers a good business formation service in District of Columbia (DC), with personalized customer support as their standout feature. They’ve been forming businesses since 1998.

Pros

✔ Personalized customer support
✔ Includes one year of registered agent service ($125/yr afterward)
✔ Industry experience since 1998

Cons

✘ Higher starting price than competitors who offer free District of Columbia (DC) LLC formation
✘ No customer service hours on Saturday or Sunday and no chat support
✘ Limited brand recognition compared to larger competitors

Want to learn more? See our Northwest Registered Agent review.

Compare ZenBusiness Plans

+ state fees | does not renew

Starter

Standard

$199

+ state fees | renews at $199/yr

Pro

Washington, D.C., LLC Fast Facts

LLC Formation Speed: If you apply online, your request can take anywhere from 5 to 7 business days. If you file via mail, it can take approximately three weeks, not counting the time in transit. D.C. has options for expediting your filing for an additional fee.
Cost to File a DC LLC: $99, plus the service’s fee if you use one
How to File Your Articles of Organization: Online or by mail
Biennial Reports: Due every other year by April 1st; costs $300 to file
General Business License: Required for every business in the district; industry and other licenses may also apply
PLLCs: Permitted for certain professional service businesses in D.C.

DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Contact Information

Address: 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024	Office Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Thursday 10:30 am to 4:30 pm In-person service stops accepting visitors at 4:00 pm.
Telephone: (202) 671-4500	Website: https://dlcp.dc.gov/

The Total Cost of Forming and Maintaining an LLC in Washington D.C.

In addition to the costs of a business formation service or hiring an attorney (which are optional, as we’ve discussed), there are other required and optional expenses when forming and maintaining a Washington, D.C., business. You cannot form an LLC in Washington, D.C., without filing the Articles of Organization, the document that officially registers your business within the District. The filing fee is $99.

Some areas require all their businesses to submit annual reports, but the District of Columbia is a bit different: the District requires all businesses to submit a biennial report every other year. This report is pretty simple, but it keeps the District updated on vital business facts like your registered agent and your address. The filing fee is currently $300. Read more about Washington, D.C., LLC costs.

FAQs Related to the Best LLC Services in Washington

Where can I get more information about forming LLCs in Washington, D.C.?

We invite you to take a look at our guide to forming a limited liability company in Washington, D.C. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in the District step by step, helping ensure that you don’t miss any crucial elements.
How can I search the District of Columbia’s business name database?

One of the most important steps in forming a Washington, D.C., LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the D.C. Business Center’s business search to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Washington, D.C., check out our D.C. business search page.
Where can I find the Washington, D.C., Articles of Organization?

You can fill out the Articles of Organization in the District’s CorpOnline system.
What are D.C.’s ongoing LLC maintenance requirements?

In Washington, D.C., an LLC’s ongoing maintenance requirements include the biennial report. This filing is due every other year by April 1, and there’s a $300 filing fee.
Where can I learn more about the District of Columbia LLC licensing and permitting requirements?

Every D.C. LLC will need a business license, either a basic business license or a general business license. LLCs must also have a zoning permit, either a Home Occupation permit or a Certificate of Occupancy. Your business is also likely to need industry and/or other licenses and permits. See our District of Columbia business licensing page for more information.
How quickly does D.C. process LLC formations?

If you apply online, your request can take anywhere from 5 to 7 business days. If you file via mail, it can take approximately three weeks, not counting the time in transit. D.C. has options for expediting your filing for an additional fee.
Which company provides the best Washington, D.C., registered agent service?

If you want more details about what these companies can offer in the District, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to the best D.C. registered agent services.
How can I dissolve my District of Columbia LLC?

Unfortunately, not all businesses last forever. If the time comes when you need to close your LLC’s doors, you’ll need to do so in a manner consistent with the District’s regulations. That’s why we wrote our guide to D.C. LLC dissolutions, so you can complete the process in a compliant manner.
What if I need to expand a business from another state to Washington, D.C.?

If your LLC already exists in another state, you don’t actually need to “form” it in Washington, D.C. Instead, you’ll need to foreign-qualify the business in the District. This process is somewhat similar to LLC formation, but there are some crucial differences as well. Take a look at our guide to foreign qualifications in the District of Columbia for more information.

District of Columbia DC Business Resources

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team

The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. Our writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.

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