Contacting the DCRA and Verifying Business Information
How to Contact and Verify
You can verify a business in DC:
- Online via the Business License Verification system
- By telephone at (202) 442 4311 (Maximum of 3 requests per call)
- In Person at the Business License Center, 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024
If you need additional help, the contact details for the Secretary of State in Washington State are:
- WA Secretary of State
- 416 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501
- http://sos.wa.gov/
- (360) 902-4151
DCRA Business Services
DCRA’s Corporations Division serves as the Office of Corporate Registrar for the District of Columbia, registering all entities, domestic (DC) or foreign, that conduct business in the District.
For any challenges with S corporation form submissions to the IRS, you can call (800) 829-4933 to inquire about your application status.
Business Entity Registration and Licenses
To register your business entity, perform a business name search on the Secretary of State website of the state or territory where the corporation is registered. In DC, to operate a legitimate business, you must comply with licensing and registration requirements.
Biennial Report and Good Standing
To maintain good standing with the Corporation Division, a report must be filed by April 1st in the first year of registration and every two years thereafter. File your biennial report using the Biennial Report Form (BRA-25) or through the CorpOnline website.
Starting and Managing a Business in DC
Business License and Costs
- A Basic Business License starts at $95, and a General Business License costs $200, valid for two years.
- No fee for a sales tax license, other license fees vary.
- It may take 30 days to issue the certificate of occupancy.
Business Entity and Professional License Search
Perform a free District of Columbia public professional license search for various professions through the links provided, which take you to third party websites for DC public records.
Filing and Trademark Registration
How to Get Copies and File Specific Forms
To get a copy of your DC business license:
- Complete a Duplicate Request Form with an associated fee of $6.60.
For inquiry about your business or trademark registration:
- Fill out the TN-1 Trade Name Registration Form.
Articles of Incorporation
To find articles of incorporation in DC:
- Search the public records on the DCRA website by entity name or file number.
Starting a Corporation
To start a corporation in DC:
- Appoint a registered agent
- Choose a business name following guidelines
- File Articles of Incorporation with DCRA (online, by mail, or in person)
Articles Versus Operating Agreements
- Articles of incorporation outline the structure of a company and establish its existence.
- Operating agreements address the resolution of disputes among members or owners, acting more like a protection document.
Additional Information
Records of divorces are considered public in DC and can be accessed for anonymous viewing.
A Professional Corporation in DC provides benefits like limited liability protection, tax advantages, and the ability to hire employees.