Corporations | dlcp
Source: https://dlcp.dc.gov/node/1614386
Archived: 2026-04-23 14:59
Corporations | dlcp
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Corporations
Access CorpOnline
Our CorpOnline system now allows all corporate registration filings—including mergers and conversions—to be completed entirely online with 24/7 access and the flexibility to save and return to filings anytime. Your existing Access DC account still works, your full filing history and previously submitted documents remain available, and you can manage multiple entities from a single login while paying by credit card or e‑check and receiving instant receipts. To file Biennial Reports, Trade Name Renewals, Good Standing Certificates, and other business filings, simply click
Access CorpOnline
.
What We Do
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Business and Professional Licensing Administration Corporations Division serves as the Office of Corporate Registrar for the District of Columbia. The Corporations Division registers all entities, domestic (DC) or foreign
(organizations formed outside of DC)
that conduct business in the District of Columbia. This is the first step in business regulatory compliance. This registration is separate and must be done before an entity applies for a business license, permit, tax registration, or any other registration within the District.
To operate in the District of Columbia as a nonprofit and for-profit corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, general cooperative association, limited cooperative association and statutory trust, you must register via
CorpOnline
with the Superintendent of Corporations in the Corporations Division of DLCP.
In addition to corporate registration, if you plan to operate in the District using a trade name
(or DBA “doing business as”)
, the trade name must also be registered with the Superintendent of Corporations in the Corporations Division of DLCP. This trade name registration is required for all registered
(LLCs, corporations, etc.)
and unregistered
(sole proprietorship, general partnership, unincorporated nonprofit association, etc.)
organization types that use the trade name.
The Superintendent of Corporations in the Corporations Division of DLCP also acts as the Mayor’s Agent for Service of Process for businesses that are defunct, or fail to maintain an agent in the District and are operating in the District.
List of Entities
The following is the list of entities by type that are subject to mandatory registration:
(Click on each entity type for more information)
Limited Liability Companies
(including Professional Limited Liability Companies)
Business Corporations
(including
Professional Corporations
and Benefits Corporations)
Nonprofit Corporations
Limited Partnerships
(including Limited Liability Limited Partnerships)
Limited Liability Partnerships
General Cooperative Associations
Limited Cooperative Associations
Statutory Trusts
Trade Names
General Information
Accessing CorpOnline
CorpOnline
(Online Filing Portal)
Choose a Corporate Structure
Corporations Refund Request Application
FAQs: Business Registration
Federal Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirement
Fees for Corporate Registration
Service of Process
CorpOnline System Replacement - FAQ
DC Corporate Registration Tutorials
Corporation Documents
Looking for a corporation document? Find a listing of all corporation documents here:
Find a Form or Document
Skip to main content
Listen
Corporations
Access CorpOnline
Our CorpOnline system now allows all corporate registration filings—including mergers and conversions—to be completed entirely online with 24/7 access and the flexibility to save and return to filings anytime. Your existing Access DC account still works, your full filing history and previously submitted documents remain available, and you can manage multiple entities from a single login while paying by credit card or e‑check and receiving instant receipts. To file Biennial Reports, Trade Name Renewals, Good Standing Certificates, and other business filings, simply click
Access CorpOnline
.
What We Do
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Business and Professional Licensing Administration Corporations Division serves as the Office of Corporate Registrar for the District of Columbia. The Corporations Division registers all entities, domestic (DC) or foreign
(organizations formed outside of DC)
that conduct business in the District of Columbia. This is the first step in business regulatory compliance. This registration is separate and must be done before an entity applies for a business license, permit, tax registration, or any other registration within the District.
To operate in the District of Columbia as a nonprofit and for-profit corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, general cooperative association, limited cooperative association and statutory trust, you must register via
CorpOnline
with the Superintendent of Corporations in the Corporations Division of DLCP.
In addition to corporate registration, if you plan to operate in the District using a trade name
(or DBA “doing business as”)
, the trade name must also be registered with the Superintendent of Corporations in the Corporations Division of DLCP. This trade name registration is required for all registered
(LLCs, corporations, etc.)
and unregistered
(sole proprietorship, general partnership, unincorporated nonprofit association, etc.)
organization types that use the trade name.
The Superintendent of Corporations in the Corporations Division of DLCP also acts as the Mayor’s Agent for Service of Process for businesses that are defunct, or fail to maintain an agent in the District and are operating in the District.
List of Entities
The following is the list of entities by type that are subject to mandatory registration:
(Click on each entity type for more information)
Limited Liability Companies
(including Professional Limited Liability Companies)
Business Corporations
(including
Professional Corporations
and Benefits Corporations)
Nonprofit Corporations
Limited Partnerships
(including Limited Liability Limited Partnerships)
Limited Liability Partnerships
General Cooperative Associations
Limited Cooperative Associations
Statutory Trusts
Trade Names
General Information
Accessing CorpOnline
CorpOnline
(Online Filing Portal)
Choose a Corporate Structure
Corporations Refund Request Application
FAQs: Business Registration
Federal Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirement
Fees for Corporate Registration
Service of Process
CorpOnline System Replacement - FAQ
DC Corporate Registration Tutorials
Corporation Documents
Looking for a corporation document? Find a listing of all corporation documents here:
Find a Form or Document