Form an LLC in District of Columbia
We file your Articles of Organization, register an agent, and deliver your formation documents. Total cost from $224 on Standard.
State filing fee
$99
Typical processing
21 days
Annual report
$300 / yr
The District of Columbia treats LLC formation like a state would. Filing is with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, the fee is $99, and the biennial report (every two years, $300 fee) is due by April 1 of the report year.
DC is unique in being a small market where many LLCs are formed by federal contractors, lobbyists, and consultants who need a registered business presence in the District for procurement or government-facing work. For purely remote founders, the $300 biennial cost and the requirement to also register for a Basic Business License push DC outside the cheap-state tier.
Best for: Federal contractors, lobbyists, and consultants with a DC client base.
Cost & compliance breakdown
| State filing fee | $99 |
|---|---|
| Typical processing | 21 days |
| Annual report fee | $300 |
| Annual report due | April 1 of every odd-numbered year |
| Premium expedited fee | $149 (3-day filing) |
- The biennial report fee is $300, not annual - paid every two years, so the average annual cost is $150.
- Premium plans use the $149 expedited state fee for three-day filing.
- Basic Business License fees vary by activity category - most service businesses pay $200-700 every two years.
How we file your District of Columbia LLC
- 1
File the Articles of Organization
We file with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP, formerly DCRA). The fee is $99.
- 2
Register for a Basic Business License
Most DC LLCs need a Basic Business License from DLCP - the category depends on activity. We help identify the right one and route the registration.
- 3
EIN, FR-500, and operating agreement
We obtain the EIN and walk you through Form FR-500 (the DC tax registration), plus deliver a DC operating agreement.
- 4
Set up biennial report tracking
The biennial report is due April 1 of the year following formation. We add it to your compliance calendar.
What's included
Articles of Organization
Registered agent
EIN (Federal Tax ID)
Operating Agreement
Frequently asked questions
Is the DC report annual or biennial?
Biennial. DC LLCs file the report every two years on April 1, with a $300 fee.
Do I need a Basic Business License in DC?
Most LLCs do. The DLCP categorizes business activity and assigns a license category; some passive holding LLCs may avoid it but most operating businesses need one.
Can a non-DC resident own a DC LLC?
Yes. There are no residency requirements. Our DC registered agent covers the in-District presence rule.
Does DC have a franchise tax?
DC has an Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax (D-30) at 8.25% for entities with DC-source gross receipts above $12,000, but most pass-through LLCs without DC operations do not trigger it.
Compare with other states
The states founders most commonly weigh against District of Columbia.
Ready to form your District of Columbia LLC?
Total from $224 on Standard. Most founders finish the application in about 15 minutes.