File the LLC formation document with DC’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Then apply for the business licenses and location approvals your work requires.
This guide covers forming a new Washington, DC LLC. If your LLC already exists in another state or country, use the foreign-registration process instead.
Washington, DC LLC at a glance
- Official filing website
- DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
- Business name check
- Open the BOSS business portalUse the public business-entity search in the current DLCP portal.
- Formation document
- Domestic LLC organization filing (DLC-1)
- State filing fee
- $99Formation filing only; other required costs and optional services are separate.
- Processing time
- Online5 business daysPaper2-4 weeks; add mail transitPublished guide estimate. Published guide estimate for a complete filing; not a state guarantee. Check the filing office before setting a deadline.
- Ongoing report or tax
- Biennial Report
- Report / renewal charge
- $300Fee for this filing only.
- Frequency / due date
- First due April 1 of the next year; every two years thereafter
- Sales tax base rate
- 6%July 1, 2026 snapshot; not an address-specific rate. The general rate is 6%; certain categories such as meals and lodging have separate rates.Official tax agency ↗
- Names in formation records
- Management names requiredList persons with more than 10% aggregate direct or indirect ownership, plus persons controlling financial/operational decisions or day-to-day operations even at 10% or less. Other filings and private bank/tax records may identify owners.
Before you file in Washington, DC
Prepare the name, principal office, DC agent, organizer and the ownership/control information required by the filing.
File the Domestic LLC organization filing (DLC-1)
- Open BOSS and choose a domestic LLC organization filing.
- Add the company, office and agent details. Complete the beneficial-owner/control section and organizer information.
- Sign, pay and save the approved document and entity number.
What to enter in the form
- Principal office
- Enter the business address. Forming the LLC does not approve the use of that location.
- Agent
- Appoint an eligible DC agent with the required District office.
- Ownership/control
- List each person whose combined direct or indirect ownership interest exceeds 10%. Also list a person who controls financial or operational decisions or directs day-to-day operations, even at 10% ownership or less. Include the requested residence and business addresses.
- Organizer
- The organizer signs the filing. This role does not replace required owner/control disclosures.
After approval in Washington, DC
- For a home business, check the Home Occupation Permit requirements. For commercial premises, check the Certificate of Occupancy requirements.
- Complete the DC tax registration and business-license applications that match the activity.
Biennial Report
DC LLC filing and reporting instructions ↗
- File the first biennial report by April 1 of the year after formation, then every two years.
- In BOSS, select the company and report period. Update or confirm its office, agent and required ownership/control details.
- Sign, pay the report fee and save the accepted filing. Renew business licenses on their own schedule.
Compare the filing cycles in our annual report and recurring-fee table.
Next steps: operating agreement · get an EIN · starting checklist.
Sources and filing links
Sources checked . Confirm the state’s current fees and instructions before filing.
- DLCP: Limited Liability Company fees
- DLCP: Domestic Limited Liability Company
- DLCP: License and Corporate Filing Fees
- DLCP: beneficial owner and control-person disclosure
Research and walkthrough references
These references provide background and filing walkthroughs. Follow current state instructions if an older walkthrough differs.
See our editorial policy for the research process and contact page for correction information.