How to Start an LLC in Washington DC (2026)

Q: How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington DC?

The Articles of Organization, Form DLC-1, cost $99 with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Your EIN is free from the IRS. The recurring cost is the $300 biennial report, due April 1 every two years, and most DC businesses also need a Basic Business Licence, which is priced by activity.

Q: When is the DC biennial report due?

April 1 of the year following registration, and then April 1 every two years after that. It is the BRA-25 form filed with the Corporations Division, it costs $300, and filing late adds a $100 penalty. Every registered entity must file it and maintain a registered agent to stay in good standing.

Q: What is clean hands in Washington DC?

It is the District's rule that you cannot obtain certain licences and permits if you owe the District more than $100 in outstanding fees, fines, taxes or penalties. That includes things people forget, like unpaid parking tickets. Clear anything outstanding before you apply for a Basic Business Licence.

Q: Do I need a Basic Business Licence in DC?

Most businesses operating in the District do, and the category and fee depend on your activity. It is separate from registering the LLC with the Corporations Division: the entity filing creates the company, and the licence permits the activity. Check your specific category with DLCP before you start trading.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

To start a Washington DC LLC, file the Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1) with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection for $99, name a registered agent in the District, and get a free EIN. Then plan for the $300 biennial report, due April 1 and every two years after, with a $100 late fee. Most DC businesses also need a Basic Business Licence.

Quick note: we're operators, not attorneys or accountants. This is general educational info, not legal or tax advice. DC layers a business licence and, for many owners, a clean hands certification on top of the entity filing.

Washington DC is cheap to form in and expensive to maintain, with a $300 report every two years and a licensing layer most states do not have. Here is the whole process in plain English, written for people starting something real like a courier route.

The $99 is the small number The formation fee is modest, but the biennial report is $300, with a $100 late fee if you miss it, which averages $150 a year before you have licensed anything. Most DC businesses also need a Basic Business Licence from DLCP, and the District requires a clean hands certification, meaning you cannot owe the District more than $100 in unpaid fees, fines or taxes. Sort any outstanding parking tickets before you apply.

How to start a Washington DC LLC in 6 steps

Name it, appoint a DC registered agent, file Form DLC-1 ($99), write an operating agreement, get a free EIN, then file the $300 biennial report by April 1 every two years.

Name your DC LLC

The name must be distinguishable from other entities registered in the District and include an LLC designator. Check availability through the DLCP Corporations Division before you file, and grab the matching domain while you are there.

Appoint a DC registered agent

You need a registered agent with a District of Columbia address. It can be a commercial registered agent or a noncommercial one, and changing the agent later costs $50. If you are not a District resident, this is a paid service. Northwest includes agent service free the first year with their $39 filing.

File the Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1)

Deliver Form DLC-1 to the Superintendent of Corporations at DLCP, online or by mail. The fee is $99.

Write an operating agreement

The District does not require one, but write it anyway. It sets out ownership, management, and who can sign, it backs your liability protection, and banks usually ask for it at account opening. A simple template covers a single-owner courier business.

Get a free EIN and check your licence requirements

Your EIN is free at irs.gov and takes about ten minutes. Then check whether your activity needs a Basic Business Licence from DLCP, which most DC businesses do, and make sure you are in clean hands standing with the District before applying.

File the $300 biennial report by April 1

Every entity registered with the Corporations Division files a BRA-25 biennial report. It costs $300, the first one is due April 1 of the year after registration, and subsequent reports are due April 1 every two years after. Filing late adds $100.

Washington DC LLC cost breakdown

$99 to form, then $300 every two years, plus a business licence for most activities.

Item	Cost	Required?
Articles of Organization (Form DLC-1)	$99	Yes
EIN	Free from the IRS	Yes (free)
Registered agent service	$0 (yourself, if in DC) to $300/yr	No
Biennial report (BRA-25), due April 1	$300 every two years	Yes
Biennial report late fee	+$100	If late
Change of registered agent	$50	Only if changing
Basic Business Licence	Varies by activity, via DLCP	Usually yes

Washington DC figures as of August 2026, from the DLCP Corporations Division LLC fee schedule and business registration FAQs. Licence requirements vary by activity. Confirm before filing.

Rather have it filed for you? Northwest will form your Washington DC LLC for $39 + the $99 state fee and act as your registered agent the first year, keeping your home address off the public record. See the $39 formation service → Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Setting up to run courier routes in Washington DC?

The LLC is step one. Our course covers the rest: insurance and certifications, the business bank account, and how to find routes and win contracts with Washington DC clinics, labs, and hospitals.

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Washington DC LLC FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington DC?

Form DLC-1 costs $99 and your EIN is free. Then a $300 biennial report every two years, plus a Basic Business Licence for most activities.

When is the DC biennial report due?

April 1 of the year after you register, then every two years. It is the BRA-25, costs $300, and late filing adds $100.

What is clean hands in Washington DC?

It is the District rule that you cannot get certain licences while owing DC more than $100 in fees, fines or taxes, including old parking tickets.

Do I need a Basic Business Licence in DC?

Most DC businesses do. It is separate from the LLC registration, and the category and fee depend on your activity. Check with DLCP.

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