How to Start an LLC in District of Columbia (DC LLC 2024)


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein, founder of LLCBuddy, is a specialist in corporate formations, dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs and small business owners through the LLC process. LLCBuddy provides a wealth of streamlined resources such as guides, articles, and FAQs, making LLC establishment seamless. The diligent editorial staff makes sure content is accurate, up-to-date information on topics like state-specific requirements, registered agents, and compliance. Steve's enthusiasm for entrepreneurship makes LLCBuddy an essential and trustworthy resource for launching and running an LLC.

All Posts by Steve Goldstein →
Business Formation Expert  |   Fact Checked by Editorial Staff
Last updated: 
LLCBuddy™ offers informative content for educational purposes only, not as a substitute for professional legal or tax advice. We may earn commissions if you use the services we recommend on this site.
At LLCBuddy, we don't just offer information; we provide a curated experience backed by extensive research and expertise. Led by Steve Goldstein, a seasoned expert in the LLC formation sector, our platform is built on years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the nuances involved in establishing and running an LLC. We've navigated the intricacies of the industry, sifted through the complexities, and packaged our knowledge into a comprehensive, user-friendly guide. Our commitment is to empower you with reliable, up-to-date, and actionable insights, ensuring you make informed decisions. With LLCBuddy, you're not just getting a tutorial; you're gaining a trustworthy partner for your entrepreneurial journey.

How to Start an LLC in Washington D.C.: If you’re looking to start an LLC in D.C., you’ve come to the right page. Setting up an LLC is easy and cost-effective. To form an LLC, you must follow a few steps that include naming your LLC, hiring a registered agent, filing your formation documents, doing the operating agreement, and finally obtaining the EIN. You can easily set up your LLC at a very low cost in District of Columbia. Though, you must pay the mandatory state filing fee. These fees and charges can be tax deductible, making the LLC formation cost almost negligible.

On this page, You’ll find all the steps that must be taken to ensure that your District of Columbia LLC has been correctly formed. We recommend you read the whole article very carefully, word by word, don’t miss anything 🙂

How to Start an LLC in Washington D.C.

An LLC (aka Limited Liability Company) is a hybrid business entity combining a corporation’s characteristics with a partnership or sole proprietorship. It separates your personal assets from your business assets, thus giving you personal asset protection. For an LLC, members’ personal assets are not affected by business debts. However, in some cases, if the LLC is sued for business debts, courts might pierce the corporate veil and use the owner’s personal assets to meet their corporate liabilities.

If you wish to start an LLC in D.C., you must file your Certificate of Formation with the State and pay a filing fee of $220. While it’s the most important step, it’s not the only one. There are 4 other crucial steps to follow to get your LLC formed in District of Columbia. Below mentioned all 5 steps that explain everything you need to do to start a D.C. LLC in 2024. Let’s get started! You can always hire a professional LLC formation service in District of Columbia to set up your LLC instead of doing it alone; a Pro service will ensure everything is done properly.

Step 1: Decide a Name for Your Washington D.C. LLC

washington dc name your llc

The first step while forming an LLC in DC is to give a proper name to your LLC. Before you name your business, you must know that the name should be easy to remember, available in the state, and follows all the LLC naming guidelines.

Washington D.C. LLC Naming Guidelines

There are a few specific requirements all the LLCs in Washington D.C. have to follow while naming their Company. Some of the most important requirements are as follows:

  • Your business name should be available and no other existing business in Washington D.C. can have the same name. ZenBusiness offers unlimited business name searches without any hassle.
  • “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “LC”, “L.C.”, and “Limited Company” – any one of these has to be used as a suffix in your business name.
  • You cannot use any name for your business that is confusing or misleading. Terms such as “Treasury”, “State Department”, “FBI”, “CIA”, etc. shouldn’t be included.
  • Terms like “Bank“, “University“, “Attorney“, “Doctor“, etc can be added only after the additional requirements by Washington D.C. State Government are fulfilled.
  • (Optional) It’s better to name your business something for which your desired domain is available.
Important Links –Submit Offline Form to –
D.C. Business Entity Search – Online Name Search
Name Reservation Form – PDF
D.C. LLC Name Search Guide – Instructions
Name Availability Standards – Guidelines
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 92300
Washington D.C. 20090

Reserve Business Name for Future

If you do not wish to file your LLC right now but want to hold the name you have decided on, then you can reserve your LLC name for 120 days. To keep the name, you must file a name reservation application and pay $50 to reserve your name with the Washington D.C. Secretary of State. For more information read our guide on Washington D.C. LLC Name Search.

Doing Business As (DBA) or Trade Name

Once you have a legal name for your LLC, you can register it. However, it is not mandatory. You can, instead, use DBA, Fictitious Name, or Trade Name. In that case, you must register your name with the Washington D.C. Secretary of State by submitting the Trade Name Certificate by mail, or you can file it online along with the filing fee of $55.

Recommended: You can do name search, business domain, website, emails, and a lot more in one place by hiring a professional service. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness($0 for LLC Formation)

Apart from LLC formation, ZenBusiness offers customized website templates and business emails at a very reasonable price. If you plan to get a website, then it is wise to have a “.com” domain for your business, but these days you can also use other TLDs like “.io”, “.company”, “.xyz,” etc. Here you can get everything you need for your business in one dashboard.

Do I have to include LLC in my company email/domain?

It is not legally mandatory to use the word LLC in your domain name or email. If you want, you can use it. However, it is recommended not to use LLC in the domain name. A domain name should be short and easy to remember.

Step 2: Assign a Registered Agent in Washington D.C.

Washington dc registered agent

The second step to forming an LLC in D.C. is to appoint a Registered Agent. A registered agent is a person or business entity working on your LLC’s behalf. This person or business will receive important tax forms, legal documents, all notices of lawsuits, and other official government correspondence in Washington D.C. Hence, hiring a competent Washington D.C. Registered Agent for your LLC is necessary.

Make sure your registered agent is a resident of D.C. or has a physical street address. This address will be used as the principal address of your LLC to receive any legal documents. Most LLC formation companies also provide registered agent services. Below are two great LLC formation services; even if you buy their cheapest plan (normally $0), you also get registered agent service and other services at a very reasonable price.

LLC Service

Our Rating & Pricing

Top Features

Learn More

#1 TOP PICK

$0 + State Fees

  • 100% accuracy guarantee

  • Worry-free service

  • Great customer support

  • Established reputation

  • Extras are bit more expensive

  • Good customer support

These two are our top recommendations for registered agent service, as they are competent and authorized to conduct business in D.C. Some LLC formation services also offer standalone Washington D.C. registered agent services. You can purchase only Registered Agent services without purchasing any other LLC formation services. This standalone service might become handy if you are doing it yourself and don’t want to disclose your home address or you don’t want to pierce the corporate veil.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent?

A person above 18 years of age and has a physical address in the state of Washington D.C. can be a Registered Agent. A Registered Agent can be an independent person or can be a business entity. One is responsible for handling all the legal documents on the LLCs behalf.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent if you are a resident of the state of Washington D.C. and you are above 18 years of age. To become a registered agent, you must have the authority to conduct any type of business in Washington D.C.

Why Shouldn’t I be My Own Registered Agent?

There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t be your own registered agent. The address of the registered agent is used to communicate with the SOS or for any legal activities. If you are your own registered agent, you might have to upload your personal address to the public forum. Besides, the registered agent must be at the address during business hours. It won’t be easy for you as you also have to take care of other things in your LLC. Hence, it is wiser to appoint a separate entity as your registered agent.

What is Piercing the Corporate Veil in LLC?

If an LLC is sued in D.C., in some cases, courts might decide to lift the corporate veil, which means the owners of the LLC will be personally liable for their business debts. They might have to forgo their personal assets to repay their business debts. This is called piercing the corporate veil, where personal and business assets are not separated anymore. Your personal assets can be protected if you have enough capital and all your LLC documents are properly filed.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization in Washington D.C.

washington dc certificate of formation

The third and most important step in forming a Washington D.C. LLC is to file the Articles of Organization. This Washington D.C. Articles of Organization is a legal document that is required to register your business with the Washington D.C. Secretary of State. It costs $220 (online and by mail filing) and $320 (In-person drop-off) to file your formation certificate in Washington D.C.

The Certificate of Formation includes details like the name of the LLC, the registered agent’s name, address, employees’ details, and the company’s structure (member-managed or manager-managed). Before hiring employees in D.C. LLC, one should know about the rules and regulations thoroughly. Also, if you are expanding your existing business (an LLC) in other states to Washington D.C., you must register as a Washington D.C. Foreign LLC.

How to File Online

Go to the Secretary of State Online Service. You will get the Home Page. If you have subscribed to their official portal then Sign-in with your credentials. If you are not a subscriber yet, then you need to sign-up. Click the button below to sign-up on the portal. Read more about the Washington D.C. Articles of Organization for online registration.

How to File by Mail

If you prefer filing real-life forms for your Washington D.C. LLC registration, then you can download form DLC-1. Read the form thoroughly, fill it out, and send it to the address mentioned below.

Mailing Address: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 92300
Washington, D.C. 20090

In-Person Submission:
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
1100 4th St. SW
Washington, D.C. 20024

Processing Time: Normally, it takes around 3 weeks (approx) to get your LLC formed in Washington D.C. The processing time for online filing might be a little faster than offline filing. With an additional cost, you can get expedited filing as well. However, the document processing time can be changed due to various factors.

Recommended: Online LLC Formation service can provide all these documents way faster than usual time with lifetime customer support and 100% accuracy. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

Every LLC owner has to pay the filing fees to register their business in Washington D.C. This fee is mandatory but also tax deductible. If you’re doing it yourself (filing on your own), it will not cost you any additional service fee. However, it is not feasible to do that as the DIY process might be delayed, complicated, and messy, especially if you’re a novice entrepreneur. Hence, it is recommended to get professional guidance to get your LLC formed in Washington D.C.

Step 4: Create Your Washington D.C. LLC Operating Agreement

washington dc operating agreement

Moving on to the fourth step, filing your operating agreement. An operating agreement is a document that legally outlines the proprietorship and operating procedures of your LLC. This document is vital as it ensures that all business owners are on the same page regarding how they operate, thus reducing future conflicts.

When it comes to filing a Washington D.C. LLC Operating Agreement, the state does not require you to have a comprehensive operating agreement, but it is ideal to have one that contains all the details of your business operation that helps in taking future business decisions, especially if you decide to dissolve Washington D.C. LLC later. Hence, having an operating agreement may not be necessary, but it is surely ideal.

Recommended: You can get a professionally made operating agreement for very less cost with ZenBusiness. You don’t need to worry about drafting it as they will take care of it on your behalf. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

The operating agreement draft can be created for free if you don’t hire a professional. However, there is an advantage to appointing a proficient person/service. You will get a businesslike quality operating agreement at a very cheap fee, which will help you in the future. Hiring a professional service means you can sleep well at night 🙂

Step 5: Filing an LLC EIN in Washington D.C.

washington dc file EIN for llc

The Employer Identification Number (aka EIN) is a nine-digit number given by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make it easier to identify the type of business for tax purposes and taxes in general. The EIN is necessary for any active business or any form of business.

EIN is needed when the LLC hires employees. Hiring employees in Washington D.C. LLC requires following specific rules and regulations. On the other side, EIN for Washington D.C. foreign LLC should be obtained if your LLC is based in other states.

To obtain EIN (aka FEIN), one has to fill up a form (Online or by mail) and submit it to the IRS. Enter details of your LLC, and finally, complete the form and send it to the address given. You can also get an EIN Assistant to help you with the process.

Mail to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935 | Fee: Free

Recommended: This hassle will be reduced when you hire an LLC formation service. They take care of obtaining EIN and all other things for your LLC. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

Note: You don’t need a Social Security number when getting an EIN. You can proceed to fill out I.R.S. Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. You must then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Agents or employees will help you with that.


Congratulations, you are now done with all the necessary steps to form your Limited Liability Company in Washington D.C. If you do it yourself, it should take you a long time to understand and do all the steps properly.

However, if you use ZenBusiness, it should be way faster. You will always have a live chat option and phone support with experts for any help you need. Their worry-free service will make things easier for you.


After Starting Your Washington D.C. LLC

After forming your LLC, there are still some things that you will need. The most important thing is to separate your business and personal assets. LLCs have limited liability protection that protects your personal assets from business liability. This is called a corporate veil. However, the corporate veil can be lifted or pierced by the court if the LLC is sued. In that case, the owners of the LLC become personally liable for their corporate debts. A few things like appointing a legit registered agent, having enough capital, and filing all the major documents with the state can save the LLCs from being pierced into the corporate veil.

Apart from that, there are a few things you need to take note of,

This page has provided you with steps to LLC formation and filing processes. You now have to remember upcoming filing deadlines and filing fees or filing costs, including fees for late filings to make sure your LLC is up-to-date.

Cost of Washington D.C. LLC

LLCs can be formed by spending very less price. Apart from the mandatory state filing fees, you don’t have to bear additional service charges if you do it yourself. Following are the fees and taxes LLCs in Washington D.C. must pay to register and run a business in the state. Forming an LLC is no doubt cost-effective compared to other business structures. However, the fees and charges (tax-deductible) that you must pay to the state, such as name reservation fee, name filing fee, LLC filing fee, and Franchise Tax & Sales Tax (If applicable). Here are the main fees and taxes you must pay while forming your limited liability company in D.C.,

Fees/TaxAmount to be Paid
Name Reservation Fee$50 for 120 days
Certificate of Formation Fee$220
Biennial Report$300
Sales Tax6%

In Washington, LLC name reservation is mandatory. You can register your LLC name at the time of registering your LLC. If you wish to hold the name for some time without registering your LLC, then a Name Reservation is needed. It can be registered by paying $50. Your LLC name will be reserved for 120 days. In some states, Name Reservation is not mandatory. Read more in our guide on LLC cost in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. Foreign LLC

If you are interested in forming a Foreign LLC in Wahington D.C. then you need to file the Certificate of Foreign LLC to the Washington D.C. Secretary of State. Foreign LLCs allow you to operate your business in more than one state. Along with the Certificate of Foreign LLC, you need to submit some more documents like the Certificate of Good Standing, etc. to the Washington D.C. SOS to form your foreign LLC in D.C. To know more in detail, check out our guide on Washington D.C. Foreign LLC.

Reasons to Start an LLC in the District of Columbia

Starting an LLC or any type of business in the District of Columbia, also known as Washington D.C., will be profitable for small businesses. With a capital investment of $3.36 billion, Washington D.C. has become one of the strongest economies in the United States. Being the capital city of the United States, D.C. offers many benefits to the businesses while they start their LLCs in Washington, D.C.

Tax Benefits

There are a series of tax benefits provided by the state government to the LLCs and new businesses. Read more on the D.C. classification of LLC tax. Following are the tax incentives one can expect –

  • Job and employment opportunity benefit of $15,000 per year
  • Tax benefits up to 10-years for using personal property to operate your LLCs in the state.
  • First 5-years no corporate franchise tax is to be paid. From the 6th year, it would be a 6% annual rate.
  • No tax on the real property for up to 5 years

Main Street Programs

In Washington D.C., there are some comprehensive programs which are called Main Street Programs. Under this program, traditional businesses are encouraged to revitalize again. Any new LLC registered in the state can enjoy these programs’ benefits if they are involved in D.C.’s traditional businesses. Georgetown, Eastern Market, North Capitol are some of the main street programs.

Loans and Grants for Small Businesses

Another reason for starting an LLC in Washington D.C. is the loans and grants the state government provided to the small businesses. Some of the important loans and grants programs are as follows –

  • On the Job Training Program – Under this program, up to 75% of the total wage paid to the trainees can be reimbursed. Up to 1040 hours can be reimbursed under this program. Any new LLC can register under this OJT program if they have a size of a minimum of 100 employees.
  • Anacostia Economic Development Corporation Program – The program, initiated by the AEDC, is administered for small businesses. Under this program, if the LLCs are involved in facade improvement projects, they can get up to 75% of the project’s total capital cost.
  • The Community Development Financial Institute Program – This program is designed to improve financial institutions and structures in the state. The government has already spent $2.3 billion on this program. They provide loans and grants to small businesses to improve the financial structure of the state.

Best Businesses in the District of Columbia

If you want to form an LLC in the District Of Columbia, then you possibly have a business idea in your mind. If not, then you should look at the best options available below.

Recycled Material

If you look around in the District of Columbia’s industries, many people are fond of using showcases and furniture made of old and recycled materials. If you think you have some extra innovative skills, you can enter the recycled materials business and make products out of waste. If people start liking what you are offering, you can charge according to your skillset and maybe more.

Environmental Friendly Product Business

District of Columbia’s residents keep extra care of the environment. Their love for the environment can be easily seen through the products they are using. That is why there is a huge scope of starting the business of environmentally friendly products. All you need to do is find the best products in the market and start the business.

Subscription-Based Businesses

The next business that is rising in the District of Columbia is subscription-related businesses. Every month there is a growth of 1% in subscription-based businesses. That is, there is a never-ending demand for subscription-based businesses. The subscription may be related to anything like food, accessories, etc. You have to select the niche in which you have the maximum interest and earn the maximum profit.

The next business that is gaining massive popularity in the District of Columbia is legal services. It is the capital state of the United Nations of America due to which the legal work in the state is at its peak and also the demand for a reliable legal services business. That is why to enter the business; you need to offer value to your legal clients and see how your business booms.

Here are businesses with some low investment

  • Breweries business
  • Nursery Farms
  • Online advertisement business

District of Columbia LLC Formation Review

Time needed: 5 minutes

Just to recap, here are the easy steps again when forming an LLC in D.C. Click on the steps in this list to read the full detail.

  1. Name your Washington D.C. LLC

    The first thing you must do is to choose a company name, which should be unique, easy to find, and available in the state.
    name your llc

  2. Choose a Registered Agent

    In Washington D.C., it is mandatory to select a registered agent for your LLC. Get a professional Registered Agent from LLC formation services to get things done hassle-free.
    registered agent

  3. File a Formation Certificate

    Filing a formation certificate is necessary when forming an LLC in D.C. Depending on the state, it could be called any of the following: Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or Certificate of Organization.
    articles of organization

  4. Create an Operating Agreement

    An operating agreement is not a strict requirement in Washington D.C. but something encouraged when you start an LLC to avoid future conflicts.
    operating agreement

  5. Get an EIN

    The Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called Federal Tax Identification Number, serves to identify a business entity like a social security number but for a company.
    file EIN for llc

F.A.Qs

Can I file an LLC in Washington D.C. by myself?

If you are a resident of Washington D.C., then you can file your LLC by yourself. However, it is always worth having a professional than doing it yourself to handle legal complexities, paperwork, and other documentation.

What is the cost of forming an LLC in Washington D.C. in a year?

Apart from the formation fee of $220 (domestic LLC) and $220 (foreign LLC), LLC costs in Washington D.C. include $300 for Annual Reports every year. LLCs are liable to pay sales tax of 6% every year.

How long does it take to get an LLC in Washington D.C.?

It takes 5-7 business days to get an LLC in D.C. if you file it online. For the mail filing, it takes 3 weeks to get an LLC. If you hire a professional LLC service, then it might take less than that. We recommend TailorBrands which has impeccable turnaround time.

How to renew my LLC in Washington D.C.?

Every year all the LLCs have to submit a Biennial Report instead of Annual Report and pay $300 to the Washington D.C. Secretary of State and renew the LLC. It is mandatory to renew your LLC every year.

What is the tax structure for an LLC in Washington D.C.?

Generally, for the LLCs, it is a default tax structure. Once you will obtain the EIN, you will get the various tax structure options to select. Sometimes LLCs choose S Corp to reduce federal tax burdens. Read more on the Washington D.C. Classification of LLC Tax.

How Fast Can I Form an LLC in District of Columbia

When filing via mail, Washington DC LLC may take upto 3-4 weeks. While online filing procedure may take 5-7 business days. For speeding up the process, you can pay an additional fee to the state.

The first step in forming an LLC in D.C. is deciding on a business name and checking its availability. This step can be completed relatively quickly online through the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) website. Once you have chosen a name that is available, you can move on to the next step in the process.

Next, you will need to file Articles of Organization with the DCRA. This document officially establishes your LLC and includes important information such as the name of the LLC, its registered agent, and the members or managers of the LLC. Filing the Articles of Organization can be done online or by mail, with online submissions typically being processed faster.

After filing the Articles of Organization, you will need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number is used for tax purposes and is necessary for hiring employees or opening a business bank account. Applying for an EIN can be done online and is generally a quick process.

Once you have completed these steps, your LLC will be considered legally formed in D.C. However, there are a few additional steps that you may want to take to ensure that your business is operating properly. You may need to apply for any necessary business licenses or permits, depending on the nature of your business. Consulting with an attorney or business advisor can help you determine what licenses or permits may be required for your specific business.

Overall, forming an LLC in D.C. can be a relatively quick process if all of the necessary steps are completed promptly. By taking the time to research and understand the requirements for forming an LLC in the District of Columbia, you can ensure that your business is up and running in a timely manner.

It is important to note that while forming an LLC in D.C. can be done quickly, rushing through the process may lead to errors or oversights that could have negative consequences for your business down the line. Take the time to carefully research and understand the requirements for forming an LLC in D.C. to ensure that your business is set up for success from the start.

In Conclusion

LLCs are easier to establish than other business structures. Small businesses, especially start-ups can easily start an LLC in District of Columbia at a bare minimum cost. LLCs have a ‘pass-through taxation’ advantage for which they are excluded from certain taxes. The formation of limited liability companies requires much lesser documents and legal processes. Share your queries with us, and leave a comment below.

1 thought on “How to Start an LLC in District of Columbia (DC LLC 2024)”

Leave a Comment