Washington DC Registered Agent
What is a Washington DC registered agent?
Washington DC registered agents are appointed by a business entity to accept service of process and official state documents on behalf of the business. All entities registered in Washington DC must maintain a registered agent, who must be physically located in the district.
What Does a Washington DC Registered Agent Do?
A DC registered agent must accept state and legal mail on behalf of the company appointing them. They forward these documents to the last known address provided by the company. This helps ensure companies have adequate notice of legal summons and state deadlines.
What Are The Requirements for a DC Registered Agent?
There are a few prerequisites for Washington DC registered agents. They must:
- Be an adult resident or for-profit corporation registered in the state.
- Have a physical address In the state, which cannot be a PO box.
- Be available at this physical address during normal business hours.
- Forward all applicable documents received to the appointing company.
- Provide written consent to accept documents on behalf of the business.
Who can be a registered agent in Washington DC?
Under DC Official Code (DCOC) Titles 29 and 41, a registered agent may be one of the following:
- A genuine resident of the District of Columbia.
- A for-profit corporation, authorized by articles of incorporation or certificate of authority to act as agent.
It is worth noting that LLCs, LLPs, and LPs may not act as registered agents in DC.
Can I be my own registered agent in DC?
Yes. In Washington DC, you as an individual can be your own registered agent if you meet the basic requirements of being a resident or company with an in-state address. Entities may not act as their own registered agent.
How Do I Find a District of Columbia Registered Agent?
You can find DC registered agents appointed by registered entities through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) business entity search, CorpOnline. A free Access DC account is required to search the entity database. Entity listings include registered agent information for individual or commercial agents for hire.
Why Should I Hire Registered Agents Inc?
Registered Agents Inc is dedicated to providing premium services that give your business more than the basics. We’ll provide everything below when you hire us:
Quick notifications
We provide instant notifications when new documents are available to view or download. These are directed to your email address, with the option to forward notices to your attorney or CPA.
Secure account
Your documents, invoices, and services can be managed using your secure online account. This account provides encrypted access to your sensitive information and gives you 24/7 connection to your records.
National support
We provide all the support of a national network, with localized expertise. Whether you’re looking for answers about your state requirements or expanding to other states, we’re here to help with every step.
Business address
Our registered agent address can be used wherever possible on state filings to keep yours private. We believe in data privacy and we provide our address to limit where your data is publicly listed.
State compliance
Every line of our Registered Agent service comes with built-in annual report filing service to help maintain your good standing in DC. With automated report filings and reminders, you’ll never miss your deadline.
Looking to provide premier registered agent service to a large number of clients? Check out our Wholesale Program.
How Do I Appoint a DC Registered Agent?
You can appoint a registered agent in Washington DC when you file your Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company or Articles of Incorporation for Domestic For-Profit Corporation. Both forms require the name of your registered agent as well as their address in box 3.
How Do I Change My Registered Agent in DC?
You can change your Washington DC registered agent by submitting a Statement of Change of Registered Agent Form. A typed copy of the form can be mailed to the address below:
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Division
PO Box 92300
Washington, DC 20090
How much does it cost to change my registered agent in DC?
The fee to change your DC registered agent by mailed filing or online using CorpOnline is $50. You can request expedited 3-day processing for an additional $50, or 1-day processing for an additional $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a registered agent cost in Washington DC?
The average cost of registered agent service in DC is between $50 to $300, depending on what your registered agent provides. Our premium service is $200 annually, and includes state annual report filings to keep you in good standing. (You’ll just pay the state fee.)
How much does it cost to set up an LLC in DC?
The base cost to file your Certificate of Formation for a DC LLC is $200 when filing online. We’ll file on your behalf for just $199, which includes 1 free year of registered agent service.
Do I need to live in DC to register my business?
No. District of Columbia requires every business registered in the jurisdiction to provide an in-state address. This can be your registered agent’s office, so you don’t have to live in DC to do business there.
How do I serve legal documents on a Washington DC company?
To serve legal documents on a DC entity, you will need to identify its registered agent. You can deliver legal documents in person, by mail to the registered agent address. Documents delivered to the registered agent are legally considered successfully delivered to the company.
