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How to Start an LLC in Washington, D.C.
Bizee can take care of all your Washington, D.C., LLC formation paperwork — for free. Just pay the required Washington, D.C., state fee ($99).
Why Create a Washington, D.C., LLC?
Within the District of Columbia, business owners can take advantage of various incentives, provided your LLC meets the specific criteria. For example, Washington, D.C., offers new businesses the opportunity to apply for funding provided by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund. The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) is a nonprofit community loan fund based in Washington, D.C. providing access to capital and expertise to entrepreneurs and community organizations.
For entrepreneurs wanting to start a business in Washington, D.C.,, creating a Washington, D.C., limited liability company (LLC) is generally the fastest and easiest way. With more simplified rules and regulations, an LLC is an ideal business entity for startups and small to medium-sized businesses, granting you the advantages and protections that larger District of Columbia corporations benefit from.
Benefits of starting a Washington, D.C., LLC:
Protect your personal assets from your business liability and debts.
Create, manage, regulate, administer, and stay in compliance easily
Easily file your taxes and discover potential advantages for tax treatment
Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure.
In this detailed guide, you’ll find information on naming your LLC, getting a Registered Agent, the fees you’ll need to pay, Washington, D.C., business taxes, and much more. We also cover your registration needs, filing your Washington, D.C., LLC, and how you'll correspond with the Washington, D.C., Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
How to Form an LLC in Washington, D.C., Yourself in Six Steps
Step 1: Complete a Washington, D.C., LLC Search and Choose a Unique Business Name
To start the process, you’ll need a name for your LLC that’s original and stands out, but one that’s not used by any other business or corporation in the District of Columbia. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name, try using Bizee’s Business Name Generator to brainstorm ideas. You'll also need to follow a few naming rules, which you can read about in detail on the Washington, D.C., Business Names page.
Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need to make sure it’s available in Washington, D.C., To find out whether another company in the District of Columbia is already using your desired business name, use our tool to do a business name search. You can also carry out an entity name search via the Washington, D.C., Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs online resources.
Step 2: Provide an Official Business Address for Your LLC
Whether your business is in an office building, a home (if the company is run from a residence), or any other physical location, every Washington, D.C., LLC must have a designated street address. It can be located outside the District of Columbia, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.
Step 3: Assign a Registered Agent
A Registered Agent is someone who receives official legal and tax correspondence and is responsible for filing reports with the Washington, D.C., Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Every LLC in Washington, D.C., is required to have a Registered Agent.
This position can be filled by you, another manager in your business, or a dedicated Registered Agent service. If your Washington, D.C., Registered Agent is a person, they must have a physical street address in the District of Columbia and be present during business hours to receive important documents on behalf of your business. In the District of Columbia, you appoint your Registered Agent when you file your Articles of Organization and formally create your Washington, D.C., LLC.
All of Bizee’s packages include Registered Agent service. It’s free for the first year and just $119 per year after that. You can also log in to our dashboard and easily view any document we've received on your behalf.
Step 4: File Your Articles of Organization With the Washington, D.C., Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Once you've gathered all the information for your Washington, D.C., LLC, you’ll need to file your Articles of Organization with the Washington, D.C., Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
This certificate must include:
Name of your LLC
The street address of the initial principal office
Registered agent's name and address in the District of Columbia
A statement that the LLC has at least one member
The effective date of the Articles of Organization
Names, residence, and business addresses of all members or managers
Organizers name, address, signature, and date
To file your Articles of Organization with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, you can either use the District of Columbia's online business portal to file online, or mail your forms to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. The Washington, D.C., LLC filing fee is $220.
You only need to file your Articles of Organization once, but most states - Washington DC included - require all LLCs to file an annual (or other periodic) report. Washington DC requires a biennial report to be filed every other year. The filing fee for this is $300. Incfile can either remind you to do it, or we can do it for you.
What Are the Fees and Requirements to Form a Business in Washington, D.C.?
Annual Report
Step 5: Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) From the Internal Revenue Service
You’ll need an EIN to identify your business to the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. An EIN is also required to open a business bank account. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or you can have Bizee obtain one for you as part of the Washington, D.C., LLC formation process.
Step 6: Create an Operating Agreement
An LLC Operating Agreement is a kind of "instruction manual" that explains how you'll run your business, and details key components of your business. For example, how decisions will be made, how the business is divided among members, and what will happen if a member leaves the company.
Although some states require that a company have this document in place, the District of Columbia does not mandate that you are required to have an LLC Operating Agreement At Bizee, we think it’s still a good idea to have one regardless.
Other Washington, D.C., LLC Types
Professional LLC
Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs) are different from professional corporations in that they typically have licensing requirements applicable to certain fields, such as law and medicine. In order to form a PLLC, you may need a state license to practice.
Learn more about PLLC vs. LLC and which one is right for your business.
Foreign LLC
If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to the District of Columbia — or vice versa — you’ll need to form a Foreign LLC.
Learn more about Washington, D.C., Foreign LLC registration.
Helpful Resources From the District of Columbia
More Information in This Guide
How to Name Your Washington, D.C., LLC
How to search the District of Columbia business registry and find the right name. Includes information on naming rules, DBA names, reserving a Washington, D.C., LLC name, and more.
District of Columbia Registered Agent
How to appoint, change, and search for Registered Agent. Also includes the rules they’re required to follow.
Washington, D.C., LLC Fees and Requirements
How to understand the various fees you’ll need to pay and the state and federal requirements you’ll need to meet. Includes details of Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), state and federal business licenses, annual reports, and more.
District of Columbia Business Tax Rules
How to understand the various taxes you will need to pay to the district and federal governments. Includes details of district taxes such as sales and income, and federal taxes such as income and self-employment.