How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC in DC?

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Costs and Requirements for Starting an LLC in Washington D.C.

The cost to start an LLC (limited liability company) online in Washington D.C. is $99. This fee is paid to the Washington D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection when filing the LLC’s Articles of Organization. The total cost of starting a District of Columbia LLC is at least $171.60, plus the cost of your LLC’s BBL, and depending on what your LLC does, you may need to obtain business insurance.

Registering a Foreign LLC in Washington D.C.

The cost for registering a Washington D.C. foreign LLC is $220. You can register a foreign LLC in Washington D.C. by filing a Foreign Registration Statement (Form FN-1).

Steps to Forming an LLC in Washington D.C.

  1. File Certificate of Formation: The main cost to start an LLC in Washington D.C. is $99.00 for filing your Certificate of Formation. You will also need to file an annual report with the state of Washington D.C. on a every 2 years basis, which also costs $300.00.

  2. Obtaining EIN: Yes, you need an EIN for your Washington DC LLC. The EIN stands for "Employer Identification Number," and it’s basically like the social security number of your business.

  3. Choosing a Name and Category: When you’ve decided on a name for your LLC, you can then choose an approved category. The name reservation at llc cost in DC is a process to ensure that a business name does not become registered with another entity.

Establishing a Business in Washington, D.C.

As a business owner in Washington, D.C., you’ll be required to pay certain fees and fulfill several filing requirements, depending on the specifics of your Washington, D.C., LLC.

Additional Information

  • You cannot use words like “bank” or “insurance” for your DC LLC without approval. When forming an LLC, you need to consider: formation costs and ongoing annual costs to keep your LLC operating legally.

  • The cost for a foreign LLC in DC is $220. Optional costs are: Name Reservation – $50; Trade Name – $55.

  • It takes ~3-4 weeks by mail or ~10 days online to form a DC LLC.

  • There isn’t a requirement in DC for sole proprietors to get a general business license. Depending on your business, you may need other licenses and/or permits. All registered business entities are required to have a DC registered agent and office.

  • Steps before forming a DC LLC: Pick the name; Get an agent; File for Certificate of Formation; Get other documents like an Operating Agreement; Take care of tax requirements; Get an EIN number.

  • It costs $500 for an LLC in Massachusetts, the most expensive state. Kentucky only charges $40, the cheapest state. The average nationally is $122.

  • How long does it take to get a LLC in DC? Usually, filing yourself online is the fastest way to get a DC LLC. However, DC is backed up for online approvals. It might be faster to file by mail and pay for expedited processing.

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