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District of ColumbiaForm an LLC in District of Columbia for $0 plus the $99 state filing fee. We file with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, obtain your EIN, and file your BOI report.
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District of Columbian LLC Formation, 2026
Filing live in D.C. · same-day in select states

How to form an LLC in District of Columbia for $0 service fee.

District of Columbia state filing fee is $99. Standard processing is 15 to 20 business days. We file Articles of Organization with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, obtain your EIN, file your BOI report with FinCEN, and provide District of Columbia Registered Agent service free for the first year.

$0 service fee $99 state fee at cost 60-day money-back
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
DC
State filing fee$99
Processing15 to 20 business days
State GDP$155B
Population673k
Small businesses~80,000
Our service fee$0
$99 TOTAL
$99
District of Columbia filing fee
15 to 20 business days
Standard processing
$0
Our service fee
$155B
District of Columbia GDP
$0
Service fee
we file it free
$99
D.C. state fee
passed through at cost
10-15 biz days
Processing
state office turnaround
51
Jurisdictions
one platform if you expand
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5 minutes to start$0 service fee
EIN includedIRS SS-4 filed for you
District of Columbia Registered AgentFree for the first year
The District of Columbia business environment

Why entrepreneurs file an LLC in District of Columbia.

Federal contracting and lobbying dominate. Highest per-capita federal spending in the US. Biennial (not annual) report cycle. Personal income tax up to 10.75%.

State GDP$155BTotal state output
Population673kLatest census estimate
Small businesses~80,000Per SBA Office of Advocacy
NotableHighest per-capita federal spendingDistinguishing economic fact
Top industries in District of Columbia
Federal governmentLobbying & advocacyLaw firmsHospitality & tourismHealthcare
Top cities to file

Where District of Columbia businesses are based.

You can form your District of Columbian LLC from any of these metros (or anywhere in the state). Most founders form in the state where they live and operate.

Washington
The District. Federal government, lobbying, K Street law firms, think tanks.
Georgetown
Embassies, retail, hospitality.
Capitol Hill
Federal contractors, government affairs.
Dupont Circle
Embassy row, nonprofits.
Foggy Bottom
GWU, State Department.
District of Columbian LLC specifics

The District of Columbia formation rules at a glance.

  • $99 filing fee, $300 biennial report, plus DC franchise tax
  • Processing: 15 to 20 business days ($100 expedited)
  • Filed with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection in Washington, DC
  • Top industries: Federal government, Lobbying & advocacy, Law firms

Our take Form here if you operate in DC. Use expedited filing to avoid the long wait. Watch for DC-specific franchise tax.

DC
The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

Corporations Division processes LLC formations from Washington, DC. We file your Articles of Organization electronically with this office. Annual report obligation: $300 biennial report, plus DC franchise tax.

FILED ELECTRONICALLY · 15 TO 20 BUSINESS DAYS
Ready to file in District of Columbia?5 minutes, $0 service fee, $99 District of Columbia filing fee at cost.
What is included on Starter

Free with your District of Columbian LLC formation.

Starter is genuinely $0. We pass through the $state District of Columbia state fee at cost. Everything below is included free.

  • Articles filed with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, our service fee $0
  • IRS EIN application (Form SS-4) filed for you
  • District of Columbia-specific Operating Agreement or Bylaws template
  • District of Columbia Registered Agent service: first year free, then $99/year
  • Basic District of Columbia compliance calendar (annual report dates)
  • Document storage, 5 GB
Upgrade to Growth · $49/mo

Add the operating stack most District of Columbia businesses need.

BOI filing + annual report filing + custom domain (1 free) + business email (3 mailboxes) + business phone line + brand kit (logo + 100 cards) + website builder + books + CRM + e-signature unlimited + document vault unlimited + audit trail + priority support. See full Growth features →

Or pay as you need

BOI filing $249 · S-Corp election $99 · Annual report filing $149 + state fee · Foreign qualification $149/state · Trademark $249/class + USPTO fee · Custom Operating Agreement $199 · Expedited state filing state fee + $50 service. Full add-on pricing →

How it works

From form to filed in District of Columbia, in four steps.

Step 1
Tell us about your businessEntity name, members, and District of Columbia address. Five minutes.
Step 2
We file with District of ColumbiaArticles of Organization submitted to the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection same day.
Step 3
EIN, BOI, bankingEIN issued, BOI filed, you can open a District of Columbia business bank account.
Step 4
LiveStamped Articles in your vault. District of Columbia compliance calendar populated.
Skip the District of Columbia paperwork.We file with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection for you. 5 minutes to start.
Compare to nearby states

District of Columbia vs neighbors.

If you can operate from multiple states, here is how District of Columbia compares.

Virginia$100Northern Virginia has lower taxes, faster processing
Maryland$100Lower cost than DC, suburbs of DC
Delaware$110Holding company alternative
District of Columbia$99Form here if you operate in DC. Use expedited filing to avoid the long wait. Watch for DC-specific franchise tax.
Local resources

District of Columbia business resources beyond formation.

After you file, these District of Columbia-specific organizations help with mentoring, funding, exporting, and growth.

DC Department of Small and Local Business DevelopmentCapital city small business support
DSLBD Certification ProgramsCBE and other SBE programs
Washington DC ChamberCapital region chamber
Greater Washington Hispanic ChamberHispanic business community
60day promise

The File.Business Promise

If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. If you change your mind in the first 60 days, we refund our service fee in full. Your data stays yours, always.

60-day money-back Penalty-free filings Cancel anytime No surprise fees
FAQ

District of Columbia-specific LLC questions.

Is DC a state for business purposes?
For LLC formation purposes, DC functions like a state. You file with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
What is DC franchise tax?
DC imposes franchise tax on LLCs at 8.25% of net income (with minimum $250 to $1,000). Applies to LLCs with DC-source income.
Why does DC processing take 15+ days?
DC processing has been slower than peer states. Expedited filing for $100 brings it down to 1-3 days.
CBE certification?
Certified Business Enterprise program for DC-based businesses gets preference on DC government contracts. Worth pursuing for businesses targeting federal/DC contracts.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia charges a $99 state filing fee. Our service fee is $0. There are no add-on charges from us. Total upfront cost: $99.
How long does it take to form an LLC in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia processes LLC formations in 15 to 20 business days for standard filings. Expedited service is available for an additional $100.
Do I need to live in District of Columbia to form an LLC there?
No. You can form a District of Columbian LLC from anywhere. You will need a District of Columbia Registered Agent (we provide this free for the first year).
What is a District of Columbia Registered Agent?
District of Columbia requires every LLC to designate a Registered Agent with a physical address in District of Columbia. We provide District of Columbia Registered Agent service free for the first year, $99/year after.
What about BOI reporting for my District of Columbian LLC?
Required for every new LLC at the federal level (FinCEN), regardless of state. We file it for you at no cost as part of formation. Civil penalties for missing it run up to $591/day.

Start your District of Columbian LLC in 5 minutes.

Tell us a few details. We file with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, obtain your EIN, file your BOI, and set up your District of Columbia Registered Agent.

Pay only state fee $99 District of Columbia fee at cost 60-day money-back

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$129/yr Compliance Annual Filings · penalty-free

On the $129/yr Compliance Annual Filings plan, we cover state late fees.

When you autofile your annual report through the $129/yr plan and we miss the deadline, we pay the state's late fee. The guarantee applies to that specific plan and the filings it includes. Other File.Business services are billed at the prices on this page.

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