District of Columbia (DC) LLC Cost

What does it cost to start a business in DC? There is more than one District of Columbia LLC filing fee that could apply when you are starting your limited liability company.

District of Columbia LLC Filing Fee – $99

District of Columbia limited liability companies costs $99 to get started. These fees are subject to change, so make sure to check with the D.C. Corporations Division for the latest filing fee schedule

Basic Business License – $95 to $200

Every business in the District of Columbia needs to have a basic business license. Your business activity determines what type of license you need. Costs vary depending on the industry. You can apply for this license online, and it is good for two to four years.

Registered Agent Fee – Varies

This component can be free if you choose to be your own registered agent, but this course is not recommended because it requires availability during regular business hours, making it inconvenient. A registered agent is responsible for receiving all legal and business correspondence for your LLC.

So, the cost to start a business in Washington, DC can vary depending on the type of business and whether you hire a registered agent.

The District of Columbia LLC filing fees can vary depending on your specific business. Here are some fees that may apply.

Name Reservation Fee

$50: Prevent another business from taking the name you have chosen by reserving your business name for up to 120 days.

DBA in the District of Columbia

$55: A D.C. DBA or “doing business as” is used when a business does not want to go by its legally registered name. In the District of Columbia, this is also called a Trade Name.

D.C. Certificate of Fact

$50: A Certificate of Fact is often referred to as a Certificate of Good Standing. It is frequently required by banks and lending institutions. You can receive this document through the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

Business Licenses and Permits

Varies: Depending on your industry and location, you may need various business licenses and permits to operate your business. It is important to check for these at the federal and local levels. We can help reduce the countless hours you spend researching what you need with our Business License Report service.

D.C. Biennial Report

$300: This DC biennial report filing fee is paid on April 1st of the year following the formation of your District of Columbia LLC. A new report is due every second year on the same date.

Starting at just $0 plus state fees, we can form your District of Columbia LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in the District of Columbia. 

If you fail to pay your filing fees on time in the District of Columbia, you may be subject to penalties and fees. These costs vary depending on which fees are late. 

Complete failure to submit required forms and fees could result in the dissolution of your limited liability company. Failing to pay your one-time fees for your Articles of Organization means that your LLC was never started, and you are operating as a sole proprietorship or general partnership. Neither of these business entities require official registration, although they do require other components of business compliance. You should also know that a sole proprietorship or general partnership does not offer robust liability protection.

Your Articles of Organization LLC formation fees are paid to the Washington D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

The largest District of Columbia LLC cost you will incur upon formation is the $99 fee to register your Articles of Organization. Every other year, you will have a $300 fee for your Biennial Report.

If you are filing online, credit card payment is accepted. You can also mail your payment using a check or deliver your documents in person. Walk-in customers will be charged an additional $100 fee for expedited service.