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How Much Does an LLC Cost in District of Columbia?
An LLC in District of Columbia costs $249 in Year 1: a $99 state filing fee plus $150 in recurring state fees ($300 every 2 years) for the first year. After that it costs $150 per year, for a 5-year state total of $849. That makes District of Columbia the 8th most expensive state to form an LLC — the national average Year 1 cost is $220 and the median is $160.
District of Columbia LLC Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Cost |
| State filing fee (one-time) | $99 |
| Recurring state fees — $300 every 2 years | $150 / yr |
| Year 1 total (filing fee + first year) | $249 |
| 5-year total (filing fee + 5 × annual) | $849 |
How District of Columbia Compares to Other States
- Rank: District of Columbia is the 8th most expensive state to form an LLC — #44 of 51 jurisdictions by 5-year state cost ($849).
- Year 1 vs the nation: $249 in Year 1 — $29 more than the national average of $220 (median $160).
- 5-year vs the nation: $849 over five years, against a national average of $586 and a median of $350.
- Recurring fee: $300 every 2 years ($150/yr) — no separate franchise tax on top.
- Cheapest in the US: Arizona at $50 over 5 years. Most expensive: California at $4,120.
District of Columbia LLC Annual Fees & Franchise Tax
District of Columbia charges $150 per year in recurring state fees ($300 every 2 years). Over five years that is $750 in recurring fees alone — $849 including the one-time filing fee.
No. District of Columbia does not charge LLCs a separate franchise tax. The recurring state cost is an annual filing or report fee of $150 per year ($300 every 2 years), which is what the Year 1 and 5-year totals on this page are built from.
How to Form an LLC in District of Columbia (Step by Step)
- Choose a name. Pick a distinguishable name that includes "LLC" and check it is available on the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection website before you file.
- Appoint a registered agent. Name a person or service with a physical street address in District of Columbia who can receive legal mail during business hours — be your own for free, or hire one (see our registered agent guide).
- File your formation document. File the Articles of Organization (called a Certificate of Formation in some states) with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection and pay the $99 filing fee.
- Create an operating agreement. Not filed with the state, but it records who owns what and how the LLC is run — banks and partners will ask for it.
- Get an EIN. Apply free on the IRS website in about 10 minutes — see our EIN guide. You need it to hire, pay taxes, and open a business account.
- Open a business bank account and stay compliant. Keep business money separate (see our business bank account guide), then keep up with District of Columbia's recurring fees — $300 every 2 years — so the LLC stays in good standing (see our annual reports guide).
Good to Know About District of Columbia LLC Costs
DC's biennial report is $300 every two years ($150/yr annualized) — higher than most states' yearly fees. Budget for it in even-numbered planning.
File on the official District of Columbia business filing site →
Fees verified against official state sources — last checked October 26, 2026.
District of Columbia LLC Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in District of Columbia?
The state filing fee in District of Columbia is $99. Adding the first year of recurring state fees ($300 every 2 years) brings the Year 1 state cost to $249. Optional extras — a registered agent service, an operating agreement template, or a formation service — cost extra, but the state itself charges $249 in Year 1.
How much does an LLC in District of Columbia cost every year?
District of Columbia charges $150 per year in recurring state fees ($300 every 2 years). Over five years that is $750 in recurring fees alone — $849 including the one-time filing fee.
Does District of Columbia charge LLCs a franchise tax?
No. District of Columbia does not charge LLCs a separate franchise tax. The recurring state cost is an annual filing or report fee of $150 per year ($300 every 2 years), which is what the Year 1 and 5-year totals on this page are built from.
Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in District of Columbia?
Yes. Every LLC in District of Columbia must name a registered agent with a physical street address in the state who can receive legal and official mail during business hours. You can be your own agent if you live in District of Columbia and are reliably available, or hire a service — typically around $125 per year — to keep your own address off the public record.
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC in District of Columbia?
File it yourself on the official DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection website, linked on this page. Filing direct costs just the $99 state filing fee (plus the $300 every 2 years recurring fee) and skips formation-service markups. Use the free LLC cost calculator on this site first so you know your exact Year 1 and 5-year totals before you file.