District of Columbia LLC Registration

How to form an LLC in District of Columbia:

You form District of Columbia LLCs by filing articles of organization with the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).

What is required to file District of Columbia LLC Articles of organization?

To form a district of Columbia LLC, you file LLC articles of organization with the DCRA. The District of Columbia articles of organization will cost a $220 DCRA filing fee. These LLC articles can be basic or complicated. We custom draft your District of Columbia LLC articles of organization when you hire Northwest to do your District of Columbia LLC registration, but if you'd like to save some money, you could just hire us as your DC registered agent, and then we supply you all the correct forms to file and filing instructions in your online account immediately. The basic District of Columbia LLC requirements are:

• The business name must have a LLC ending or variation of it
• The District of Columbia company name must be different than already registered District of Columbia companies
• The effective date of the articles of organization
• The District of Columbia LLCs principal address
• The LLC must have at least one member
• State the date when a person or persons became members of the LLC
• The DC registered agent name and the physical address
• The DC organizers name, address, and signature

District of Columbia does not require original signatures on LLC filings. The filing will be mailed to the address on the envelope.

What's the actual process to start a District of Columbia LLC?

1. District of Columbia LLC registration is started when you file the articles of organization for a DC LLC with the DCRA.
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number with the IRS after you have confirmation from District of Columbia that the LLC is completely filed.
3. You should be able to open a LLC banking account with these two items.
4. You register your District of Columbia LLC with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue or DC Department of Employment Services if you're going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax. 
5. Almost all DC businesses need a DC Basic Business License from the DCRA Business License Division. Your license fees and requirements will depend on your business activities in DC. We provide links and DC licensing information in your online account.
6. Get a trade or occupational license if you need one. Many professions are exempted from the DC Basic Business License requirement. Make sure you do your research; some businesses need a professional license AND the DCRA Basic Business License!
7. If you're going to have an office or shop, you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location. 

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:

If you want to form a district of Columbia limited liability company yourself, you can just hire us as your District of Columbia registered agent, and you'll instantly have the District of Columbia LLC forms to file and filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to file a district of Columbia LLCs. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, compliance reminders and the support of a professional District of Columbia LLC agent service.