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District Of Columbia Registered Agent

Starting a business in Washington DC? You’ll need a trusted local registered agent—and that’s where Northwest comes in. As a reliable DC registered agent, we make the process simple by receiving your official and legal mail and getting it to you quickly and securely.

Have questions? Our expert Corporate Guides® are just a call or email away. We’re here to help you navigate business compliance with confidence. Want more? Northwest offers business formation service, domain name registration, EIN obtainment, and everything else a business needs. Find out why business owners choose Northwest.

When You
Want More
$125 Per Year
  • Business Address & Mail Scanning
  • Domain, Website, Email & Phone Line
  • Automatic Brand Protection

  • Privacy By Default®

Rated 4.7 / 5 stars by 1861 clients on Google

What Is a Registered Agent?

A DC registered agent is a person or company that is designated by you to receive legal mail (aka service of process) on behalf of your business. In short, registered agents exist to provide an official and reliable way to contact your business.

If your business is ever served with a lawsuit, the process server will deliver the paperwork directly to your registered agent. At that point, your business is legally considered served. The registered agent should then forward you your mail, quickly and securely.

Residency

Be a DC resident or a company that provides registered agent services.

Address

Maintain a registered office and be listed on a statement of appointment.

Service

Accept legal documents (service of process) during normal business hours, 9 AM to 5 PM.

How Do I Change My DC Registered Agent?

Changing your registered agent is a straightforward process.

Step 1

File a Statement of Change of Registered Agent form with the Washington DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).

Step 2

If you place an order with us, the form will be available instantly. We’ll even pay and file the change of agent filing for you.

Step 3

It’s a simple change, but for more info, see our guide: How to Change Your Registered Agent in District of Columbia.

Why Northwest is the Best Registered Agent Service

Choosing the right registered agent is a critical decision for your business’s success. As the industry’s leading registered agent service, we provide the tools, support, and reliability you need to keep your business compliant and running smoothly.

Hire Northwest and get:

  • Same-Day scans: We scan your legal docs the same day we receive them and reach out if your essential mail goes unread.
  • Privacy by Default®: We list our business address on public docs to keep your personal info safe. And unlike those other guys, we never sell your data.
  • Total Brand Protection: Keep an eye on your business name, domains, and trademarks, with built-in Brand Protection. We’ll alert you to potential conflicts early, and give you simple tools to build and manage your brand all in one place, totally free.
  • Corporate Guides®: Have questions? We have answers. Our guides are business experts whose sole job is to provide support for all your business questions.
  • Identity Services: You’ll get a free domain name, website hosting, a business email address, and a separate business phone line so you can protect your data and keep your communication professional.

How to Order Registered Agent Service

Step 1

You sign up online, clicking on one of the buttons or links that says HIRE US.

Step 2

We collect the first year of the registered agent service fee up front.

Step 3

For new businesses, we’ll become your Washington DC registered agent once your business registration filing with the Washington DC Secretary is complete.

Step 6

About a year later, we’ll send you an invoice for another year of Washington DC Registered Agent Service. If you want to keep using us, great; if you don’t, you can easily cancel.

Step 5

It’s easy to add registered agent services in other states if your business expands. We have offices in every state. We don’t farm out work (or your info) to other companies—wherever you are, WE are your registered agent.

Step 6

We make your account a real go-to resource for you, not just for Washington DC registered agent service or paying a bill but for keeping up with Washington DC corporate compliance.

Get a Registered Agent Today!

DC Registered Agent FAQs

  • State law requires all legitimate, registered businesses to appoint one.
  • The Secretary of State will reject your business filing if you don’t appoint a registered agent.
  • A registered agent requirement gives the public and the state a reliable way to contact your business.