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District of Columbia LLC formation
Start your District of Columbia LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC prepares and files your District of Columbia Articles of Organization with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) usually within one business hour of a complete order (Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM Eastern; orders placed after hours are usually filed by 10 AM the next business day). You pay our $99 service fee plus District of Columbia's $99 state filing fee and $100 same-day expedited filing fee, both passed through at cost, so your total is $298. An EIN from the IRS and an operating agreement are included.
- State fee at cost, shown up front
- EIN included
- Documents by email
At a glance
District of Columbia LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. With the state rush included on every District of Columbia order, approval is expected the same business day. Every District of Columbia order is filed with the state's rush service: Same-day +$100. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us. Why rush is included: HourLLC files every District of Columbia order with the District's same-day expedited service instead of the standard queue (DC Corporations Division: fees).
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- $99
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Includes District of Columbia same-day expedited filing (+$100 state rush fee)
- +$100
- Your total
- $298
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- State approval (rush included)
- Same business day
- Filing office
- DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- $50
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- LLP $50 / LLC $50 / corporation $50
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by District of Columbia. We confirm your exact state fee before we file. Certified copies and Good Standing certificates are optional; the required District of Columbia rush fee is charged at checkout at the state's cost. No service fee on any of them.
Official District of Columbia fee source: official state fee page. Fees checked October 23, 2026; the price at checkout is what the state charges us, including any card or portal fee it adds.
How it works
Forming an LLC in District of Columbia with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your District of Columbia LLC name must include an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" and must not already be taken. We check availability before filing; give us a backup name on the form in case your first choice is taken.
- Fill out a 3 minute form. Members, a District of Columbia registered agent, and your business address. District of Columbia filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus District of Columbia's state fee and required rush fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). When District of Columbia approves it, we email your filing receipt and stamped Articles of Organization as PDFs and keep them in Documents at My account. Then we get your EIN.
After your District of Columbia LLC is approved
DC LLCs file a biennial report with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection every two years, with a $300 fee. The late fee is $100.
Your EIN is included: we apply to the IRS for it together with your state filing, so you can open a business bank account and file taxes under the LLC.
Almost every state requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who accepts official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have a District of Columbia address, or use a commercial registered agent.
What every HourLLC order includes
- Name availability check before filing
- Articles of Organization usually filed with the state within 1 business hour
- EIN from the IRS (federal tax ID)
- Free operating agreement
- Filing receipt and stamped, approved Articles of Organization, emailed as PDFs
- Annual report reminders, free with every LLC
Choosing a District of Columbia LLC formation service
Compare the all-in price, not the starting price. Ask each service: is the EIN included, is an operating agreement included, when exactly do you file, and what renews every year? With HourLLC the answer is one price ($99 plus District of Columbia's fee at cost), EIN and operating agreement included, usually filed within 1 business hour, and no yearly fee for the LLC itself. See a side by side comparison.
Yearly cost after your District of Columbia LLC is formed
DC LLCs file a biennial report with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection every two years, with a $300 fee. The late fee is $100. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
District of Columbia LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Registered agent · EIN · Cost breakdown · Other rules
District of Columbia LLC name rules
A District of Columbia LLC name must include “limited liability company”, “limited company”, “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “L.C.”, “LC”, “ltd. liability company”, “limited liability co.” or “ltd. liability co.”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
You can reserve a name before you file for $50 (good for 120 days). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
District of Columbia registered agent
Every DC LLC must name and keep a registered agent in the District of Columbia.
On our order form you name your registered agent and their District of Columbia street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in District of Columbia, or a commercial registered agent service.
Getting an EIN for your District of Columbia LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from District of Columbia, and the IRS does not charge for it. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees and file business taxes. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
If your LLC will sell taxable goods or services or hire employees, you may also need to register for District of Columbia state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
District of Columbia LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $99 |
|---|---|
| Required state rush fee (District of Columbia same-day expedited filing) | $100 |
| Yearly report or tax (by April 1) | $300 every 2 years |
| Name reservation (optional) | $50 |
| Assumed or trade name / DBA (optional, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) | $55 |
| Registered agent | $0 if you serve yourself; a commercial service charges its own yearly fee |
Add our $99 service fee once, at formation. There is no yearly HourLLC fee for the LLC itself.
Other District of Columbia rules to know
The first DC biennial report is due by April 1 of the calendar year right after the LLC is formed.
Checked on official District of Columbia sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, registered agent, name reservation, trade name, other rules. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
District of Columbia LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia charges a $99 state filing fee for a new LLC, and every District of Columbia order includes its same-day expedited filing (+$100 state rush fee). HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $298. That includes your EIN and an operating agreement. The state fee is passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
How long does it take to get an LLC in District of Columbia?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). With the required state rush, approval is expected the same business day. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my District of Columbia LLC?
Every District of Columbia order is filed with the state's rush service: Same-day +$100. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us.
Does a District of Columbia LLC have to file an annual report?
DC LLCs file a biennial report with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection every two years, with a $300 fee. The late fee is $100. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the District of Columbia formation document called?
In District of Columbia the document that creates your LLC is the Articles of Organization, filed with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). We prepare it from your order, file it, and email you the stamped, approved copy as a PDF.
Do I need a registered agent in District of Columbia?
Yes, like almost every state, District of Columbia requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who can accept official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have a District of Columbia address, or use a commercial registered agent and give us that address when you order.
Is the EIN really included?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs for free, and we prepare and submit the application for you together with your state filing, at no extra charge. You will usually need the EIN to open a business bank account or hire employees.
What does a District of Columbia LLC name need to include?
A District of Columbia LLC name must include "limited liability company", "limited company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "L.C.", "LC", "ltd. liability company", "limited liability co." or "ltd. liability co.", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a registered agent in District of Columbia?
Every DC LLC must name and keep a registered agent in the District of Columbia.
How do I get an EIN for my District of Columbia LLC?
An EIN is a free federal tax ID from the IRS. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your District of Columbia state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
Other states
Forming an LLC somewhere else?
We file in all 50 states and DC at the same $99 service fee. Each state sets its own filing fee and speed.
Nearby states
Sources checked October 2026: District of Columbia filing requirements