Washington DC Registered Agent Services
CorpNet can act as your Washington DC registered agent ensuring your business stays compliant with any service of process, legal notices, or official mailings.
Our registered agent services are fast, affordable, guaranteed, and just $149 per year.
Why You Need a Registered Agent in Washington DC
When a Washington DC business is formed, the company must designate a registered agent and office within the formation documents for foreign or domestic Corporations, LLCs, Limited Partnerships, Cooperative Associations, and Statutory Trusts. A registered agent is an individual or company that accepts official paperwork such as service of process (lawsuits) and annual registration fee notices. Every authorized Washington DC business must maintain a registered agent.
Appointing a registered agent is legally required under Washington DC Law 29-104.04 and DC Official Code (DCOC) Titles 29 and 41
Failure to appoint and maintain a commercial registered agent could result in default judgments (in the case of a lawsuit), fines, and penalties. You might also risk having your business suspended or terminated in the state of Washington DC.
Quick & Easy Ordering
What Does a Registered Agent Do?
A registered agent is an individual or business that is appointed by the company to receive and sign for any legal service of process documents, notices, or demands served upon the company.
Some examples of the documentation include:
- Official federal and state correspondence
- Subpoenas for information
- Tax notices
- Lawsuit notifications
- Summonses to appear in court
- Wage garnishment notices
- Corporate filing notifications
What Washington DC Business Entities Require a Registered Agent?
The following domestic and foreign businesses require a resident agent in Washington DC:
- Profit Corporation
- Nonprofit Corporation
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Series LLC
- General Partnership
- Limited Partnership (LP)
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- General Cooperative Association
- Limited Cooperative Association
- Statutory Trust
Who Qualifies as a Registered Agent in Washington DC?
To serve as a resident agent or office, you must meet the following requirements:
- A resident of the District of Columbia (DC)
- The RA’s address must be a physical street address in the District of Columbia. The RA’s address may not be a PO Box or address outside the District.
- The agent must be one of the following:
- A commercial registered agent, which is a person (an individual or domestic or foreign filing entity) who has filed a “Listing of commercial registered agent” filing required under § 29-104.05 with the Corporations Division.
- A noncommercial registered agent, which is a person that is not a commercial registered agent and is:
- An individual or domestic or foreign entity that serves in the District as the agent for service of process of an entity;
- An individual who holds the office or other position in an entity who is designated as the agent for service of process; or
- A member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar who maintains an office in the District of Columbia.
Why a Commercial Registered Agent is Your Best Option
A commercial registered agent has filed a special listing statement with a state’s agency responsible for business registrations and compliance. Information that a commercial registered agent provides on the list includes its company name, entity type, and address to which service of process should be sent.
Commercial registered agents often maintain a physical address in multiple states and work with many business entities. Commercial agents like CorpNet also will notify businesses of upcoming state filings and legal notices and they can prepare and submit compliance filings on your behalf.
There are many advantages to working with a commercial registered agent. From convenience and privacy to easy online document access, a commercial registered agent offers peace of mind.
Verified Trustpilot Review of ★★★★★
For many years, and through several different companies, CorpNet has been there for me. I have used their LLC formation and dissolution services…and then their formation service again, and then once again. I have also taken advantage of their services for annual report filing as well as registered agent monitoring and notification. I honestly don’t know what I’d do if left to my own devices with these matters.
What really makes CorpNet stand out, in my opinion, is the level of service, the consistency of the experience, and the price. You speak to live humans whenever you want (during business hours, of course). And beyond that, these are live humans that actually get to know you. State fees aside, the fees for CorpNet services are so nominal. And you just can’t put a price on doing the best you can for your small business. You and your company provide endless examples of how to rock a small business on every level.
FAQs About Washington DC Registered Agent Services
Does Washington DC require a registered agent?
Yes. The majority of businesses within the state of Washington DC must appoint a registered agent and office.
What government entity manages registered agents in Washington DC?
Washington DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Corporations Division
1100 4th Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20024
Website: https://dlcp.dc.gov/
Phone: (202) 671-4500
Email: dlcp@dc.gov
What forms are used to appoint or change a registered agent in Washington DC?
- Articles of Incorporation of Domestic For-Profit Corporation (Form DBU-1)
- Articles of Incorporation for Domestic General Cooperative Association (Form DGCA-1)
- Incorporation for Domestic Limited Cooperative Association (Form DLCA-1)
- Articles of Incorporation of Domestic Professional Corporation (Form DPR-1)
- Articles of Incorporation of Domestic Nonprofit Corporation (Form DNP-1)
- Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company (Form DLC-1)
- Certificate of Series Designation for Domestic Limited Liability Company (Form DLC-4)
- Statement of Authority for Domestic Limited Liability Company (Form DLC-5)
- Statement of Qualification for Domestic Limited Liability Partnership (Form DLLP-1)
- Certificate of Trust for Domestic Statutory Trust (Form DST-1)
- Foreign Registration Statement (Form FN-1)
- Articles of Amendment of Domestic For-Profit Corporation (Form DBU-2)
- Articles of Amendment for Domestic General Cooperative Association (Form DGCA-2)
- Articles of Amendment for Domestic Limited Cooperative Association (Form DLCA-2)
- Articles of Amendment of Domestic Nonprofit Corporation (Form DNP-2)
- Certificate of Amendment for Domestic Limited Liability Company (Form DLC-2)
- Amendment or Cancellation of Statement of Authority for Domestic Limited Liability Company (Form DLC-6)
- Statement of Amendment/Cancellation of Qualification for Domestic Limited Liability Partnership (Form DLLP-2)
- Certificate of Amendment for Domestic Limited Partnership (Form DLP-2)
- Certificate of Limited Partnership for Domestic Limited Partnership (Form DLP-1)
- Amendment to Certificate of Trust for Domestic Statutory Trust (Form DST-2)
- Amendment of Foreign Registration Statement Form (Form FN-2)
- Listing of Commercial Registered Agent Form (Form RA-1)
- Statement of Registered Agent’s Resignation (Form RA-2)
- Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent (Form RA-3)
How much does a registered agent cost?
There is a wide range of pricing for registered agents. Some service providers offer super low rates, however, this comes with limited services, hidden costs, and they do not offer important things your business needs like compliance monitoring, online customer portals, live customer service, or a money-back guarantee.
While at face value, a low-priced registered agent may seem like a sweet deal, things can turn sour quickly. So rather than looking only at the price low-cost providers flash prominently on their websites, dig deeper into what you’ll be getting and what you’re not getting.
How do I change my existing registered agent?
Resident Agent changes must be made by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent (Form RA-3) with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division (DLCP), or via an amendment filing.
If you hire a commercial registered agent, they can process the paperwork for you. Request CorpNet to change your registered agent for you.
Can my registered agent manage my annual report?
Yes! When you appoint a commercial registered agent you can receive a wide range of business compliance assistance. CorpNet handles online filings for a wide range of requirements at the state, federal, and local levels:
- File Articles of Incorporation
- File Articles of Organization
- File a foreign qualification
- File a DBA (Doing Business As)
- File initial reports and annual reports
- Request an S Corporation election
- Request EINs (Federal Tax ID Numbers)
- Register for business licenses
- Register for sales and use tax permits
- Register for payroll taxes
Are discounts available for multiple businesses or states?
CorpNet offers nationwide registered agent services supporting multi-state, multi-company, and bulk registrations. Our full coverage across the United States is enhanced by a single point of contact that offers volume discounts for multiple entities, states, or years of service. Learn more about CorpNet’s bulk registered agent discounts.
