How To Register Business In Dc

How to Register a Business organization Proper noun in Washington D.C.

To annals a business name in Washington D.C., yous'll need to register your business organisation with the country. You can course an LLC or corporation, or file for a "doing business organisation as" proper name with your state's business partition.

Our How to Register a Business Name in Washington D.C. guide volition walk you through each step of the process in Washington D.C. Check out our other How to Annals a Business Proper noun guides to larn about registering a business organisation name in every country.

Or but use a reliable professional person service:

Northwest ($39 + state fees).

(We recommend doing a proper noun cheque starting time)

Graphic showing how to register your business name in Washington DC.

Terminal Updated: 2022-05-18

Step 1: Cull a Business Structure

Recommended: Nosotros typically recommend forming an LLC for virtually entrepreneurs because this structure comes with personal nugget protection, has no double taxation, and is pretty like shooting fish in a barrel to maintain.

If you would like to employ a service, read our guide on the best LLC formation services.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

By default, sole proprietorships operate every bit the same name every bit the owner while full general partnerships must include the surnames of all the partners.

Step 2: Bank check Name Availability

When registering a business name, information technology's of import to make certain information technology's unique and no i else in your state formed a company with it or has control of information technology online as a domain name.

Domain Name Search

We strongly recommend that you also check to see if your business name is bachelor as a web domain (URL). Fifty-fifty if y'all don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the web accost to foreclose others from acquiring that domain name. If the web domain is bachelor then it'south likely the name will besides be available in a business organisation search.

Discover a Domain Now

Washington D.C. Business Name Search

Next, search the Washington D.C. Section of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs concern name search tool. This is an of import step in the process because your filing volition be denied if you try to file for a name already in apply.

Search requirements can vary depending on your business needs. For case, a unique and available proper name is required to:

File for formal business structures similar LLCs and corporations.
File a DBA proper noun for any concern structure.

A district-level proper name search isn't required for informal business organisation structures similar sole proprietorships or general partnerships in Washington D.C. But, if you decide to register a merchandise name or DBA name, you lot'll need to search the database to see if your desired name is unique and available.

Step 3: Form Your Concern With Washington D.C.

In one case you have selected your business construction and name, you lot volition demand to file your formation documents with the district, which will register your business with Washington D.C.

To register your Washington D.C. LLC, you'll demand to file the Articles of Organization with the Washington D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. You can use online, by mail, or in person. Read our Class an LLC in Washington D.C. guide for details.

Or use a professional service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to class your LLC for you.

To annals your Washington D.C. corporation, you'll need to file the Manufactures of Incorporation with the Washington D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Read our Form a Washington D.C. Corporation guide to larn more.

Additional Considerations

Protect Your Business Name With a Trademark (Optional)

Once you confirm the availability of your concern name and secure information technology, you can choose to utilise for a trademark for your business organisation. This typically costs effectually $225 to $400 plus any chaser fees equally well as a renewal fee every 10 years.

While this cost can be loftier for a starting time-upwardly or fledgling business, information technology volition requite your company make nationwide protection backed by federal law. That means if others try to do business with the same — or a similar — name as yours, yous'll have legal precedent on your side. For nigh small businesses, this really isn't necessary unless they are thinking of going national.

How to Change the Name of a Washington D.C. Business organization

Irresolute the proper name of a business in Washington D.C. can be done in two ways: by filing for a trade proper noun or past submitting an amendment to the legal proper name of an existing business concern.

The outset method, filing for a trade name (also known as a DBA name), is the easiest fashion to operate your business organization using a different name without needing to modify its legal name.

A DBA proper name is the only fashion for sole proprietorships and full general partnerships to accept a different business proper noun. It's also the easiest method for LLCs and corporations to follow because it allows them to avoid filing an amendment or complicating their business operations while enabling them to operate with brand names that don't include the necessary LLC or Inc. suffix required in a legal name.

If you want to modify the legal name of your LLC or corporation, nonetheless, filing an subpoena to the legal name of an existing business is your all-time choice. Here are links to forms for both options:

Certificate of Amendment for domestic LLCs
Articles of Amendment of domestic for-turn a profit corporations

You may submit both online or by postal service along with the $220 filing fee.

Ofttimes Asked Questions

How practice I become a business license in Washington D.C.?

Obtaining a concern license in Washington D.C. is every bit easy as following these four steps:

Complete corporate registration and merchandise name registration, if applicable.
Register your concern with the IRS and DC Role of Tax and Revenue.
Complete registration with the Function of the Zoning Administrator.
Submit your basic business license (BBL) application via the My DC Business Center.

Do I need a Washington D.C. business license?

Yep, you need a bones business concern license (BBL) to operate a business organization in Washington D.C.

How practise I get a tax ID in Washington D.C.?

To get a tax ID for your Washington D.C. business organization, yous must first obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You lot can and so complete taxation registration for your business past filing Form FR-500.

Practice I need a trade name or DBA in Washington D.C.?

No, you don't need to file a merchandise proper noun or DBA name in guild to operate a business in Washington D.C. Some business organisation entities may, however, do good from filing a DBA name similar those planning to operate in multiple states without reserving their business proper name in each location.

How do I file a Washington D.C. trade name or DBA?

You can file a trade proper name — otherwise known every bit a doing business as (DBA) name — online through your CorpOnline business relationship.

Washington D.C. Business organization Resources