The minimum cost to form an LLC in the District of Columbia is $99, and you can pay it without a formation company’s help. Here’s how to start an LLC in Washington, DC (a limited liability company, a business structure that separates your personal assets from the business) using the state fee alone.
According to the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division, the fee to file a domestic LLC’s Articles of Organization is $99. You can file it yourself, and the IRS gives you an EIN for free.
“Free” here means no formation-company markup. The $99 goes to the District and can’t be skipped. A paid service is optional, and we’ll show where one genuinely saves time. For the seven-step overview that applies in every state, see our start-here guide.
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Last updated: October 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The state filing fee for a DC LLC is $99, paid to DLCP, Corporations Division.
- A biennial report costs $300 every two years and is due April 1 of the year it’s due. Late filings cost an extra $100.
- An EIN costs $0 when you apply directly with the IRS.
- A formation service adds its own fee on top of the $99. It’s a convenience, not a requirement.
How to Start an LLC in Washington, DC: Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (formation) | $99 | One time, when you form |
| Biennial report | $300 | Every two years, due April 1 of the year it’s due |
| Late fee on the biennial report | $100 | If filed after April 1 of the year due |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | One time |
Sources: DLCP formation fee; DLCP corporate filing fees; IRS.
Registered agent services, formation services and other extras cost more. Those aren’t District fees.
How to Start an LLC in Washington, DC, Step by Step
1. Choose and check your business name
Your LLC needs a name that’s distinguishable from other entities already on file. Use the business name search on the DLCP, Corporations Division website to see what’s taken. Then check that the name isn’t someone else’s trademark. The USPTO’s free trademark search at USPTO.gov is a good place to look.
Check the DLCP site for naming rules, such as required wording like “LLC,” and for any option to reserve a name before you file.
2. Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is the person or company designated to receive legal papers and official government mail for your LLC. You have three options:
- Yourself, if you qualify and you’re reliably available during business hours.
- Someone you trust, such as a business partner, who meets the same requirements.
- A commercial registered agent service, which adds a recurring cost but means legal papers don’t land on your doorstep.
Confirm the registered agent requirements, including address rules, on the DLCP website before you file.
3. File the Articles of Organization with DLCP
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your LLC. DLCP’s fee schedule calls it a “certificate of organization,” and the fee is $99.
You’ll typically provide:
- Your LLC’s name
- Your registered agent’s name and address
- Basic information about the organizer (the person filing)
Check the DLCP, Corporations Division website for the current filing method, required fields and processing times.
Here’s an illustrative example. Say you’re launching a one-person consulting LLC. You search the name on DLCP’s site, confirm it’s available, list yourself as registered agent and pay the $99 filing fee. Your out-of-pocket state cost to form is $99.
4. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that spells out how your LLC runs: who owns it, how profits are split and who makes decisions. You keep it with your records rather than filing it with the state. Check the DLCP site to see whether DC requires one.
Required or not, a written one is smart even for a single-member LLC. It helps show that your business is separate from you personally, and banks often ask to see it.
If you have more than one owner, put the agreement in writing before money changes hands. Consider having an attorney review it.
5. Get your free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (employer identification number) is your business’s federal tax ID, like a Social Security number for the company. According to the IRS, you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free, and you never have to pay a fee for one.
Apply only at IRS.gov using the “Get an employer identification number” tool. Sites that charge for EINs are charging for something you can do yourself. Apply after your Articles of Organization are approved. You’ll need your LLC’s legal name and details about the responsible party.
Still deciding how your LLC will be taxed? Read our LLC vs. S corp breakdown before you make any tax elections.
6. Open a business bank account
With your approved Articles, EIN and operating agreement in hand, you can open a business checking account. Keeping business money separate from personal money is one of the most important habits for protecting your limited liability.
Banks vary in what documents they ask for, so check each one’s requirements. Novo is one online business checking provider that suits freelancers and solo owners. Compare its terms with a local bank or credit union before you choose.
7. Check DC licenses and tax registration
Forming the LLC creates the legal entity. It doesn’t automatically authorize you to do business.
Depending on your activity, you may need business licenses or tax registrations at the District level. Start with DLCP’s website and the DC government’s business pages to see what applies to your type of business.
Do It Yourself vs. a Formation Service
Do it yourself: Your first-year cost is the $99 state filing fee. The EIN is free. If you act as your own registered agent, there’s no agent fee either.
With a formation service: Your first-year cost is the $99 state fee plus the service’s fee and any add-ons, such as registered agent service. The state fee doesn’t go away. The service files it for you. For real service prices, see our comparison of the best LLC formation services.
What a service can genuinely add:
- Guided forms that catch missing fields before you submit
- Registered agent service, so you don’t have to be available during business hours
- Reminders for deadlines like the biennial report
- Operating agreement templates and EIN assistance (though you can get the EIN free yourself)
Bizee is one such service. It makes the most sense if you value convenience, want a commercial registered agent or want reminders handled for you. If you’re comfortable with the DLCP website and a calendar, you can skip it. Our walkthrough of incorporating with Bizee shows what the process looks like.
Keeping Your DC LLC in Good Standing
According to DLCP, Corporations Division, for-profit entities file a biennial report with a $300 fee. It’s due every two years, by April 1 of the year the report is due. A $100 late fee applies to reports filed after April 1 of the year due.
The part people always miss is the calendar. A report that comes around only every other year is easy to forget.
- Do the math ahead of time. $300 every two years works out to about $150 a year, so you can set aside money monthly.
- Don’t miss April 1. The $100 late fee is one-third of the report fee itself.
- Confirm your first due date. Check DLCP’s website or your account for the exact year your first report is due.
- Keep your registered agent information current. If your agent or address changes, check DLCP’s site for how to update it.
Federal reporting is a separate question. Our BOI report explainer covers where that stands. And if you’re curious how DC stacks up, see our LLC filing fees by state roundup.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington, DC?
According to DLCP, Corporations Division, the filing fee for the Articles of Organization (listed as a certificate of organization) is $99. The EIN is free from the IRS. Optional extras like a registered agent service or a formation service cost more.
How often do I have to file a report, and what does it cost?
DLCP says for-profit entities file a biennial report every two years with a $300 fee, due April 1 of the year the report is due. Reports filed after April 1 of the year due carry a $100 late fee.
Do I need to pay for an EIN?
No. According to the IRS, you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free, and you never have to pay a fee for one. Use the application at IRS.gov.
Do I need a formation service to start a DC LLC?
No. You can file the Articles of Organization yourself with DLCP, Corporations Division for the $99 state fee. A service is a convenience that adds its own fee on top.
Where can I find current processing times?
Check the DLCP, Corporations Division website for current processing times and filing instructions, since they can change.
Your Next Step
Ready to move? Open our 7-step start-here guide and work through the checklist. Then pull up the DLCP site and search your business name.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
