NAICS CODE: 813000-1

NAICS DESCRIPTION: Charitable Solicitation means the request directly or indirectly for any contribution on the plea or representation that such contribution will or may be used for any charitable purpose.

Endorsement Class: General Business

Legal Authority: DC Code: 44-1700; 47-2851 DC Municipal Regulations, Title 16, Chapter 13

• Application Fee:   $70.00
• Category License Fee:   $280.00 
• 10% Technology Fee:   $37.50
• Endorsement Fee:   $25.00 
• Total Fee:   $412.50

Total Fee:   $412.50

Quick Fact Sheet

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Application Requirements
All applicants for a Basic Business License must comply with the following DC Code requirements:

Corporate Registration
If your organization is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or in some cases, a trust, said organization must be registered and in good standing with the Corporations Division. For more information, including assistance with completing the application process, please contact the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4432 or visit  DCRA Corporate Registration Information Center.

Non-Resident of the District of Columbia (including Foreign Corporations)
If you are not a resident of the District of Columbia, you'll need to appoint a Resident Agent or an Attorney-in-Fact who lives or works in an office in the District, who will be the official recipient of any financial, process, or legal notices that we need to send to you. If you are not a DC resident, please complete the Certified Resident Agent Appointment Form.

Corporate Registered Agents
Any business required to register with the Corporations Division is required to maintain a registered agent. Said registered agent may be a bona fide District of Columbia resident or a company physically located in the District of Columbia. The registered agent’s office may or may not be the same address as the place of business.

Resident Agents
Family trusts, general partnerships, and sole proprietors are required to maintain a resident agent. Said resident agent may be a bona fide District of Columbia resident or a company physically located in the District of Columbia. The resident agent’s office may or may not be the same address as the place of business.

Trade Name Registration (Use of Fictitious Business Name)
A business operating under a fictitious name or a name other than the legally recognized name must register the trade name with the Corporations Division. For more information, including assistance with completing the trade name application process, please contact the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4432 or visit  DCRA Corporate Registration Information Center.

Basic Business License Application
All applicants for a Basic Business License must complete an application, remit the associated payment, and submit the required supporting documentation.

Clean Hands Certification
All applicants must certify that no more than $100 is owed to the District of Columbia Government as a result of fees, penalties, interest, or taxes through completion of a Clean Hands Self-Certification.  

Tax Number
All Applicants must provide a registered tax number (i.e., SSN or FEIN) at the time of application. Register by completing and filing a Combined Business Tax Registration Application (Form FR500) with the Office of Tax and Revenue, 1101 4th Street SW, Suite W270, Washington, DC 20024. Online registration is available at the Business Tax Service Center. For more information, please call the Tax Customer Service Center at (202) 727-4829.

Certificate of Occupancy/Home Occupation Permit
All applicants for a Basic Business License operating from a premise located in the District of Columbia must provide a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Home Occupation (HOP) for the premise address from which the business activity is conducted in order to demonstrate the activity does not conflict with building and zoning codes. For more information, please call the Office of the Zoning Administrator at (202) 442-4589.

Note: In some cases, a business operating in an office building may operate under the umbrella of the C of O issued to the owner of the building as long as the C of O is issued for the entire building. Check with the building owner or management company for the holder’s name, C of O number, and issue date.

IRS Determination Letter
All applicants for a Basic Business License for the Charitable Solicitations category must provide a copy of the 501(c)3 determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service citing tax exemption.  

Statement of Character
All applicants for a Basic Business License for the Charitable Solicitations category must provide a full statement of the character and extent of the charitable work being done.

Certified Resolution
All applicants for a Basic Business License for the Charitable Solicitations category must provide a Certified Resolution authorizing a corporate officer to make application in the District of Columbia is required of all corporations. This form must be notarized.

Solicitor Information Cards (Optional)
All applicants for a Basic Business License for the Charitable Solicitations category may obtain a solicitor information card for a fee of $3.30. A list of the names and addresses of the persons who will be soliciting on behalf of the organization must be submitted in
triplicate (3 copies).

Professional Fundraisers or Solicitors
Each professional fund raiser and professional solicitor shall provide a copy of the contract, if any, made by or on behalf of each applicant with each professional fund raiser and professional solicitor.

Application Submission Methods

Online.
You may apply for a Basic Business License and pay with a major credit/debit card via the Online Application System (OSUB). Some categories are available for immediate printing. Apply Online Now!                

In-Person.
You may apply for a Basic Business License in-person with cash, check, money order or a major credit/debit card by visiting the DCRA, Business License Center, 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024. No appointments are required. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: American Express is not accepted in the Business License Center.

Via Mail.
You may apply for a Basic Business License and pay with a check or money order via mail. Please submit all requirements including the associated fee. Make check or money order payable to “D.C. Treasurer.”

Mail complete application and payment to:
Wells Fargo Bank
DC Government Wholesale Lockbox 91360
7175 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046

Note: Mailing an application for a Basic Business License may result in a 6-8 week processing time as it takes longer for the DCRA to receive the information. Please consider applying online or in-person for the fastest turnaround.