DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

How Much Does an LLC Cost in District of Columbia?

Forming an LLC in District of Columbia means filing the Articles of Organization with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type

LLC Corporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

Act as my own agent — $0Generally allowed if you have an in-state address and are available during business hoursHire a service — about $200/yrMarket estimate (typically $100–$300/yr), not a state fee

Processing speed

First-year government fees — District of Columbia LLC

$99

Official state fees

Articles of Organization filing fee$99

Ongoing fixed fees

Biennial report feeFirst report due April 1 of the calendar year after registration, then every two years$300 / 2 yrs

≈ $150/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$999

Estimated total (5 yrs)$999

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for District of Columbia, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — District of Columbia LLC
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Articles of Organization filing fee	$99	One-time	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Recurring & conditional obligations — District of Columbia LLC
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Biennial report fee Three biennial filings typically fall inside a first five-year window (about years 1, 3, and 5 after formation).	$300	Every 2 yearsFirst report due April 1 of the calendar year after registration, then every two years	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Filing process & processing times

File online through CorpOnline with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.

Processing options for District of Columbia LLC filings
Option	Typical turnaround	Added fee	Notes
Standard processing	5–15 business days	None	Online filings are processed faster than mail; the Division posts current times
3-day expedited service	3–3 business days	$50
1-day expedited service	1–1 business days	$100

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every District of Columbia LLCmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about District of Columbia

The District's $300 biennial report is one of the steeper recurring filings in the country, and the first one lands quickly — April 1 of the year after you register.
Most DC businesses also need a Basic Business License, a separate cost this calculator does not include.

District of Columbia LLC cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in District of Columbia?

The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection charges $99 to file the Articles of Organization. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of an LLC in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia LLCs generally must pay the biennial report fee of $300 every two years (first report due April 1 of the calendar year after registration, then every two years).

How long does it take to form an LLC in District of Columbia?

Standard processing generally takes about 5–15 business days. Expedited options are available: 3-day expedited service for $50 and 1-day expedited service for $100. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in District of Columbia?

Yes. Every District of Columbia LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

When is the District of Columbia biennial report fee due?

First report due April 1 of the calendar year after registration, then every two years. Three biennial filings typically fall inside a first five-year window (about years 1, 3, and 5 after formation). Missing the deadline can trigger late fees or administrative dissolution, so put the date on your compliance calendar.

What this page doesn't cover

Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
Whether an LLC — or District of Columbia — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

District of Columbia data last verified July 12, 2026.

Corporations Division — Filing Fees— DC Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost? 2026 Guide— RegisteredAgentCost.comaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?— ZenBusinessaccessed July 12, 2026