ZenBusiness reviews its own products and services and compares them to others in the industry.
Compare the best District of Columbia (DC) registered agent services below as reviewed by ZenBusiness.
*SPECIAL OFFER: $99 + DC state fees for the first year when you switch to ZenBusiness! Renews at $199/yr, subject to change.
Last Updated: June 5, 2025
Looking for the best registered agent service in the District of Columbia to support your business? We’ve evaluated top providers based on key factors like pricing, features, customer service, and reliability to help you find the best fit. Whether you’re looking for affordability, expert legal assistance, or personalized support, this guide showcases the top options available now.
Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has quickly become a top player in the business formation and compliance space. With over 850,000 businesses formed and a strong reputation, our registered agent service offers solid value and top-tier support in District of Columbia (DC).
✔ First year is 50% off at $99 plus state fees (renews at $119/year)✔ 60-day money-back guarantee✔ 22922+ reviews with a 4.8 average rating✔ Responsive, award-winning customer support via phone, email, and chat✔ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
✘ Registered agent service is not included with formation packages✘ No multi-state discount for businesses operating in more than one state
Rocket Lawyer is a legal services platform that also offers registered agent services as part of its suite of tools. While not the cheapest option, it may appeal to users who want bundled legal help. If you find value in their legal services plan, Rocket Lawyer is an intriguing choice for registered agent services in District of Columbia (DC). If you don’t need its subscription service, you can probably find a more suitable alternative.
✔ Includes access to legal documents and attorney consultations✔ 30-day money-back guarantee✔ Discount of 50% with legal plan subscription
✘ Registered agent service is basic and lacks advanced features✘ Higher ongoing costs unless you’re on a subscription✘ Not a core focus of their platform — limited functionality compared to standalone services
Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, has been a popular choice for business formation and compliance services in District of Columbia (DC) since 2004. With over 1 million businesses served, Bizee is best known for its basic LLC formation package (only pay District of Columbia (DC) state fees), which includes one year of registered agent service.
✔ Free 1st year with LLC formation✔ $119/year after the first free year✔ Good value for basic compliance needs
✘ Registered agent service must be manually renewed✘ Customer support is slower and less detailed than top competitors✘ No refund policy on services once submitted
LegalZoom is a household name in online legal services, with over 3 million businesses served. Its registered agent service is backed by brand trust and comes with useful compliance tools. While its registered agent service comes at a higher price, the added perks and company reputation may justify the cost for some District of Columbia (DC) business owners.
✔ Compliance calendar and deadline reminders included✔ 60-day money-back guarantee✔ Large support team with extended hours
✘ $249/year pricing is one of the highest on this list✘ No first-year discount or bundling options✘ Less value for cost compared to smaller, more focused competitors
Northwest Registered Agent has been offering registered agent services since 1998 and is known for being a solid choice in District of Columbia (DC). Northwest Registered Agent now has thousands of registered agent service subscribers across the country.
✔ $125/year pricing✔ Scans all mail, not just government documents
✘ Not the cheapest option for LLC formation✘ Limited refund policy✘ No online compliance dashboard or automation tools
If you want to receive personalized registered agent service at reasonable price points, Northwest Registered Agent might be worth a look. However, keep in mind that Northwest charges at least $39 to form an LLC, so there are many cheaper options for that service in District of Columbia (DC).
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Every business entity in the District of Columbia is required to have a registered agent. In fact, you won’t be allowed to finish the formation process for your company until you designate your registered agent.
The most important aspect of this role is receiving document deliveries from the District government and process servers, then alerting your business of the delivery before forwarding the documents to you. The role of the registered agent is so important because it establishes a point of contact for your business with the District government and others so that they have a reliable place to get in touch with an official representative of your company at any time.
Washington, D.C., actually has two different kinds of registered agents: commercial and noncommercial. There is no difference between these types of agents, except for the fact that a commercial registered agent has filed a listing statement with the District and also paid a filing fee.
Each jurisdiction has its own rules and regulations surrounding registered agents. For the most part, these laws are fairly similar, but it’s always worth taking a look to see what Washington, D.C., requires.
In Washington, D.C., we’ll need to take a look at the Business Organizations Title of the Code of the District of Columbia, which says:
All of the companies we discussed above meet these regulations and are options for a Washington, D.C., registered agent service. When you’ve made your choice, you can indicate your registered agent’s name and address on your Articles of Organization.
As you’ve probably noticed, the registered agent services we’ve listed here serve businesses across the country. But if you Google “Washington D.C. Registered Agent,” you’ll probably see results for local services, too. These can be local entrepreneurs with a knack for clerical tasks or entire companies dedicated to serving the District of Columbia.
On one hand, using a local service can have its advantages. Some will be cheaper than nationwide firms (but not always). And each jurisdiction has its own nuances for business compliance requirements, including Washington, D.C.
A registered agent service that services Washington, D.C., alone may have detailed knowledge about those requirements. Granted, most national services do an excellent job of understanding local requirements. But they might not give you the same “homegrown Washington, D.C.” feeling as a local agent service.
That said, national businesses like ZenBusiness give you streamlined solutions. Let’s say you’re using a local Washington, D.C.-only registered agent service, but it’s time to add locations in Maryland. You could search for an additional agent that services Maryland businesses. But that’s going to require a lot of additional paperwork, including new receipts, new automatic payments, more emails … get the idea. But if you’re using a national service, you can cut down the “new” paperwork and focus on what really matters: growing your business.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you, and there’s no “wrong” answer. The most important thing is that you appoint one so you can run a compliant Washington, D.C., business.
The role of a Washington, D.C., registered agent is critical to your company’s compliance and legal standing. This position requires dealing with seemingly simple tasks, yet if they’re handled incorrectly, they could cost you a considerable amount of money in fines and could even potentially see the District dissolve your business.
While you can always change your registered agent down the line, we think it’s essential to pick the right registered agent for your business starting at the formation phase. You should also keep an eye on your compliance standing to ensure nothing goes awry along the way.
With ZenBusiness, you can purchase reliable registered agent service at an affordable rate, leaving this role in the hands of experts while you focus on growing your business.
In Washington, D.C., there aren’t many complicated requirements for registered agent eligibility. Any individual or business entity authorized to conduct business in the District can serve as your company’s registered agent. The only requirements are that they have a permanent address in Washington, D.C., and that your company itself can’t serve as its own registered agent (although you or one of your co-owners may assume this role individually). Also, the agent must be present at the registered office during all normal business hours to accept service of process.
Washington, D.C., is a tad unusual because it maintains a system of commercial and noncommercial registered agents. But let’s clear things up a bit: commercial and noncommercial registered agents accomplish the exact same tasks, and they both fulfill the District’s statutory requirements. Commercial registered agents just complete the additional task of registering with the District to be included in the registered agent database, usually so they can offer their services as a business venture. Noncommercial registered agents are appointed on a private basis instead. You can appoint whichever type works best for your needs.
Yes. If your registered agent is an individual, that person must live in Washington, D.C. If your agent is a business entity, that company must either be a domestic Washington, D.C., business or one with the authority to conduct business in the District.
Washington, D.C., keeps the process of changing your registered agent pretty simple; all you have to do is download the Registered Agent Combined Form, fill out the third page, and submit it to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. There is a $50 filing fee. For more information, see our District of Columbia registered agent page.
If your registered agent chooses to resign and no longer serves as your agent, they will notify both you and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs by filing a Statement of Resignation of Registered Agent. This form doesn’t become effective until 31 days after it’s filed, giving you time to find a replacement.
As long as you file all your paperwork in a timely fashion and don’t allow your registered agent coverage to lapse, you won’t incur any additional penalties or fees, keeping your filing fee at just $50.
One common option is to serve as your company’s own registered agent or enlist the assistance of a trusted friend or family member. The other route is to hire an attorney or accountant to handle this role. Maybe you prefer the added professionalism these people can provide, maybe you have an existing relationship with an attorney or accountant you trust, etc.
The best place to learn more about forming a Washington, D.C., LLC is our step-by-step guide. You might also be interested in checking out our list of the best Washington, D.C., LLC formation services.
District of Columbia DC Business Resources
Best Registered Agent Services Reviewed in All States
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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 Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 850,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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