What are the filing fees for DC LLCs?

‍Washington, DC keeps LLC costs straightforward: $99 for your Articles of Organization with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, plus a $300 biennial report fee due every two years. No franchise taxes or complicated ongoing requirements.

File online through CorpOnline or submit paper forms—both cost $99. Online filings typically process within a few business days, while paper submissions take longer. Need it faster? Add $50 for 3-day processing or $100 for same-day service.

Current Washington, DC LLC filing fees

DC maintains transparent filing costs with expedited options available. The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection charges a flat $99 for Articles of Organization, and you won't pay anything else until your $300 biennial report comes due.

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That $99 filing fee creates your LLC's legal existence. The price stays the same whether you're forming a DC LLC or registering an out-of-state company.

Your LLC maintains good standing with a $300 biennial report fee due every two years by April 1st. There's no separate annual report to file—just the biennial fee payment.

How do DC's LLC filing fees compare to other states?

DC's structure ($99 to file and $300 every two years) provides predictable costs for long-term planning.

Let’s see how this compares with that of neighboring states:

• Virginia: $100 to start, $50 annually
• Maryland: $100 upfront, $300 yearly
• Pennsylvania: $125 initially, $70 each year
• Delaware: $90 to file, $300 annually

Nationally, DC holds a moderate position. Massachusetts costs $500 just to get started, plus $500 annually. California offers low formation fees but imposes substantial franchise taxes. DC's online system processes efficiently, with expedited options available. You get predictable costs without budget-state complications or premium-state sticker shock.

Additional filing fees to consider for Washington, DC LLCs

While DC's $99 Articles of Organization and $300 biennial report cover the basics, several optional costs might arise during your LLC's life.

• Name reservation costs $50 if you want to hold your LLC name for 120 days while finalizing paperwork.
• Registered agent costs vary based on your approach. Acting as your own agent costs nothing if you have a reliable DC address during business hours. Commercial services typically charge $100–$300 annually for privacy and convenience.
• Most DC businesses require a Basic Business License, typically costing $95–$100 depending on your business category. This renews every two or four years and is separate from your LLC formation.
• Certificates of Good Standing run $15–$16 each when lenders or partners need official verification of your LLC's status.

After formation, amendments cost varying amounts for changes to your company name, members, or registered agent information.

Let Discern handle your Washington, DC LLC filings

Discern processes your Washington, DC LLC filings in minutes and handles ongoing compliance automatically. No more tracking biennial report deadlines or worrying about registered agent responsibilities. 

Our system processes your biennial reports, maintains real-time compliance dashboards, and displays the exact standing of every entity you own. Book a Discern demo today and see how we handle compliance complexity with ease.