District of Columbia LLC Cost: Filing Fee, Annual Fees and 5-Year Total
Forming an LLC in District of Columbia costs $99 in state filing fees and then $150 a year to keep it active. District of Columbia's estimated five-year state costs of $699 are 109% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Checked against official state sources (October 2026) · Last verified: October 29, 2026 · Sources
What an LLC costs in District of Columbia
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee | $99 | One time |
| Recurring state filing / report fee | $150/yr | Biennial report, $300 per filing |
| Year-one cost | $99 | Formation fee + any year-one extra |
| Estimated 5-year state costs | $699 | Formation + year-one extras + 4 years of filing / report fees; ranks 42nd cheapest of 51 |
The five-year figure counts state government fees and, where one applies, the separate mandatory annual state tax shown above. It assumes a single-member LLC owned by an individual with little or no income. It excludes registered agent services, formation-service fees, publication costs, local business licenses, income-based state taxes (income, gross-receipts, B&O, sales) and any optional extras. How we calculate it.
Other state taxes (not in the totals)
An unincorporated business (including an LLC) with gross income of $12,000 or less in the District is not subject to the unincorporated business franchise tax or its minimum tax and files Form D-30N instead of D-30. Above $12,000 of gross income the tax can apply, so we do not count it.
Verified details
- Articles of Organization: $99.
- Biennial report: $300. The first is due April 1 of the calendar year after registration, then every two years. A $100 late fee applies after the due date.
Annual reports and upkeep
District of Columbia filing cadence: Every two years (due April 1). Biennial report, $300 per filing. Missing filings can lead to late fees and, eventually, administrative dissolution, so put the dates in a calendar. See annual reports and franchise taxes explained.
How to form an LLC in District of Columbia
- Check the name. Search the District of Columbia business records on the Secretary of State / filing office site to confirm your LLC name is available and includes an LLC designator.
- Pick a registered agent. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. You can serve as your own agent if you live in District of Columbia and are reachable during business hours, or hire a commercial agent. Registered agent guide.
- File the formation document. The state filing fee is $99. Use the state's online filing portal where available; paper filing is slower.
- Write an operating agreement. Most states do not require you to file one, but banks and partners typically ask for it, and it sets ownership and decision rules. Operating agreement basics.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free through its online application. Beware of sites that charge for it.
- Open a business bank account and calendar the deadlines. Put the every two years (due april 1) filing dates in a calendar so the LLC stays in good standing.
Want someone else to handle the filing in District of Columbia?
A formation service files the paperwork for a fee on top of the state fee and often includes a first year of registered agent service. It saves time, but you can file directly with the state for the state fee alone. Compare DIY and services.
See a formation service (partner link) Sponsored
Living or operating outside District of Columbia?
You can form an LLC in District of Columbia even if you live elsewhere, but if you actually do business in your home state you will usually also have to register the LLC there as a foreign LLC and pay that state's fees, so you may pay twice. In Texas, for example, an out-of-state LLC transacting business pays $750 to register. See forming an LLC in a state other than your own.
Compare District of Columbia with similar-cost states
| State | Formation | Annual | 5-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | $680 |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150 | $645 |
| Maine | $175 | $85 | $515 |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 | $500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in District of Columbia?
The state filing fee is $99. Add a registered agent if you do not serve as your own, plus any local licenses.
What is the annual cost of an LLC in District of Columbia?
Biennial report, $300 per filing. That works out to about $150 per year in state fees.
Do I need a registered agent in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. You may act as your own agent if you meet the state's requirements.
Do I need an operating agreement in District of Columbia?
Most states do not make you file one, but you should have one. Check District of Columbia's LLC statute and ask your bank what it requires. We do not give legal advice.
Is District of Columbia cheap compared with other states?
District of Columbia's estimated five-year state costs of $699 are 109% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Sources
- District of Columbia official filing site: dlcp.dc.gov
- DC DLCP: corporations division fees, LLC
- DC DLCP: domestic LLC
- D.C. Code 29-102.11
- DC OTR: 2025 Form D-30 booklet
- D.C. Code 47-1808.03
Fees change. Confirm the amount on the state's official page before you file.
Fee data: official state government pages and statutes (checked October 28–29, 2026); sources are linked on each state page. See our methodology. Not legal or tax advice.