A Washington D.C. LLC operating agreement is a legal document that formalizes the operations and ownership of a limited liability company (LLC) in Washington D.C. The agreement addresses such matters as finances, salaries, accounting, membership transfer, and dissolution. Each company owner is advised to keep a signed copy on file.

By Type (2)

Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word

Multi-Member LLC Operating Agreement

Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word

How to Form an LLC in Washington D.C.

• Filing fee: $99
• Processing time: 15 business days

1. Choose a Name

The first step in forming an LLC in Washington D.C. is to reserve a name. Check with the district’s Lookup Business database to determine whether a desired name is available or already registered to another entity.

2. Choose an LLC Type

Domestic LLC – For an LLC located within Washington D.C.

• Online Filing – Create an Access DC account to file Articles of Organization online.
• Paper Filing (Form DLC-1) – Complete the Articles of Organization form and send with payment to Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Corporations Division, P.O. Box 92300, Washington D.C. 20090.

Foreign LLC – For an LLC located outside Washington D.C.

• Online Filing – Create an Access DC account to file Articles of Organization online.
• Paper Filing (Form FN-1) – Complete the Foreign Registration Statement form and send with payment to Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Corporations Division, P.O. Box 92300, Washington D.C. 20090.

3. Post-Formation

• LLC Operating Agreement – This agreement will codify the company’s policies, procedures, and plans.
• Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) – Select “Apply Online Now” in Step 3. See Publication 15 for a guide to paying tax as an employer in 2022.

Name Reservation

• Filing fee: $50

An applicant can reserve a name, if the name is not already registered to another entity, for exclusive use for a period of up to 120 days in the District of Colombia (§ 29–103.03).

• Online Filing – Sign in with Access DC account. See Frequently Asked Questions for more information about how to reserve a name online.
• Paper Filing (Form NR-1) – Complete the Application for Name Reservation and mail to Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Corporations Division, P.O. Box 92300, Washington D.C. 20090.

Renewing an LLC (Biennial Report)

• Filing fee: $300

District law stipulates that a biennial report should be delivered to the mayor for filing by April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the LLC became effective, and by April 1 of each calendar year after that (§ 29–102.11).

• Online Filing – Access the online services main page. Online filers must pay using a credit card.
• Paper Filing (Form BRA-25) – Mail a completed Two-Year Report, together with filing fee, to Business License Center at 1100 4th St., SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20024. Instructions are included with the form.

Dissolving an LLC

Filing fee: $220

The LLC is dissolved when a Statement of Dissolution is filed with the mayor (§ 29–807.02).

• Paper Filing (Form DLC-8) – Mail a completed Statement of Dissolution and a filing fee to Business License Center at 1100 4th St., SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20024. Instructions are included with the form.

Statutes

• Code of the District of Colombia, Chapter 8 – Limited Liability Companies

“LLC Operating Agreement” Definition

• § 29–801.02

“Operating agreement” means the agreement, whether or not referred to as an operating agreement and whether oral, in a record, implied, or in any combination thereof, of all the members of a limited liability company, including a sole member, concerning the matters described in § 29-801.07. The term includes the agreement as amended or restated.