How do I contact the Corporations Division?

The Corporations Division can be contacted by phone, fax, email, US Postal Service or walk-in visit:

• Phone: (202) 442-4400
• Fax: (202) 442-4523
• Mailing Address: DCRA Corporations Division, PO Box 92300, Washington, DC 20090
• Business License Center (Walk-in): 1100 4th Street SW, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20024
• Operating Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; and Thursday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.
• Email: dcra@dc.gov
• Website Main: http://dcra.dc.gov/DC/DCRA/For+Business/Corporate+Registration
• Online Service Site: https://corp.dcra.dc.gov/

What does "Conducting Business" mean in the District of Columbia?

District law defines a "business" as: “Any trade, profession, or activity which provides, or holds itself out to provide, goods or services to the general public or to any portion of the general public, for hire or compensation in the District of Columbia.”

Generally, foreign filing entities (limited liability companies, non-profit and for-profit corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, general partnerships, general and limited cooperative association and statutory trusts) do not have to register with Corporations Division if they are engaging in a single or isolated transaction.

In addition, certain categories of activity have been excluded by the District as constituting “business” for the purposes of determining if an entity must register with the District. These exclusions vary depending on the type of business entity.

For the list of exclusions, please refer to the following statute:
§ 29-105.05. Activities not constituting doing business.

District of Columbia Code link.

Sample of specific factual scenarios:

Will a Corporation or LLC need to register with Corporations division if it owns real estate in the District? In most of the cases, the answer will be no. However, this entity is required to register if real estate is “income producing”.

To discuss the specific case, you may contact Corporations Division directly at (202) 442-4400 option 5. Consult an attorney for legal advice.

What does "Entity status is revoked" mean in the District of Columbia? What is it and how can I put my company back in good standing?

If entity’s status is revoked then articles of incorporation / organization shall be void and all powers conferred upon such entity are declared inoperative, and, in the case of a foreign entity, the certificate of foreign registration shall be revoked and all powers conferred hereunder shall be inoperative.

Penalties for operating after revocation
Civil fines, penalties, and fees may be imposed on any domestic or foreign filing entity that commits an infraction of any provisions of Business Organizations Act specified under § 29-101.06 and fails to comply with any provisions thereof pursuant to Chapter 18 of Title 2 ("Civil Infractions Act").

Reinstatement
Any entity may file an application for reinstatement and pay all back fees and file all back reports at any time. Once this filing is accepted by Corporation’s Division entity’s status will be reinstated. Once petition for reinstatement is approved, such entity shall have such powers, rights, duties, and obligations as it had just prior to the time of the issuance of the administrative dissolution or termination with the same force and effect.

If I incorporate my business in DC, is that registration valid in other states?

No. Formation of the entity in the District of Columbia allows for that entity to conduct business in the District only. If domestic filing entity wishes to conduct business outside of the District of Columbia then it shall meet the requirements of each jurisdiction in which it wants to do business. Contact the corporate licensing authority in the appropriate state or province for more information.

If I registered my business outside DC, do I need to register to conduct business in DC?

 An organization registered in another state or country that seeks to transact business in the District of Columbia must obtain authority by filing an application for foreign registration.

How do I get certified copies of documents?

You can get a certified copy of any Corporations Division document by mail or walk-in visit, Walk-in customers will be subject to expedited fee of $100 for one day service or $50 for three day. For the list of relevant corporate fees, please, click here. Fax service and phone payment options are not available.For mail-in requests, make sure your list is specific and that you enclose the fee for each document. Make checks payable to DC Treasurer.

Use this application to submit a request: Application for Certificate of Good Standing and Certified Copy.

Available certified copies include but are not limited to:

• Articles of Incorporation
• Organization Documents
• Two-Year Annual Reports
• Articles of Merger/Amendment
• Certificates of Authority/Registration
• Qualification Forms for Partnerships

Call the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4400 to learn more.

How do I get a Certificate of Good Standing?

You can get a Certificate of Good Standing from the Corporations Division by mail, walk-in visit, or online. Fax service and phone payment options are not available.

Online
Go to CorpOnline site at https://corp.dcra.dc.gov, create the profile, access the online services main page (use Internet Explorer 7 or IE8), click on “Request a Certificate of Good Standing” link and proceed. Online customers must pay by using the credit card and certificate will be delivered on the last page and will also be emailed to the address on the profile.

Note for Walk-In Customers:
Expedited fee in the amount of $100 for one day service and $50 for three day service will apply to all walk-in customers.

Mail
DCRA
Corporation Division
PO Box 92300
Washington, DC 20090

Walk-In
Business License Center
1100 4th Street, SW, Second Floor
Washington, DC 20024

DCRA Service Hours

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
• Thursday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

What's the penalty for operating in the District of Columbia without getting certificate of foreign registration?

As a part of application process, foreign filing entities (limited liability companies, non-profit and for-profit corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, general partnerships, general and limited cooperative association and statutory trusts) must disclose the date when entity commenced its business in the District of Columbia.

Foreign filing entities that commenced business before the registration with Corporations division are liable for the payment of all back fees and all back reports.

The number of reports and the amount of fees depends on the commencement date.

Fees

For the list of corporate fees, please, click here.

For detailed requirements, please, contact Corporations Division at (202) 442-4400.

What are the Corporate Registration Fees?

For the list of corporate fees, click here

For detailed requirements, please, contact Corporations Division at (202) 442-4400.

Where can I get my corporate seal?

Corporate seals and other corporate supplies may be obtained at a legal stationery store or corporate supplier.

May I fax a request or my registration documents to the Division of Corporations?

No. You may not file your registration documents, nor obtain copies of documents by fax, or request verification documents of a corporate filing by facsimile. Each of these actions requires a payment which must be paid at the time of the request for documents.

What is the average turnaround for corporate filings?

Mail-In Filings
For mail-in filings Corporations division will process within 15 business days from the receipt of the paperwork. All mail-in filings go to our banking agent for payment processing first. Once payment is processed, payment confirmation along with filing will be forwarded to Corporations Division main office in Washington, DC for final processing. The 15 business days turnaround does not start until division receives the paperwork and proof of payment from the bank.
Filings that are sent to the overnight address are subject to the same turnaround guidelines.

Walk-In Filings
For walk-in filings, Corporations division will process and approve or reject filings while you wait.
Expedited fee in the amount of $100 for one day service and $50 for three day service will apply to all walk-in customers.

Online Filings
For online filings Corporations division will process within 15 business days from the date of submission. Print the confirmation page and record the date of submission.

What are professional corporations (PCs) & limited liability companies (PLLCs)?

The term “professional service” means any type of personal service to the public which may be lawfully rendered only pursuant to a license and which by law, custom, standards of professional conduct or practice in the District of Columbia, before December 10, 1971, could not be rendered by a corporation, including without limitation the services performed by certified public accountants, attorneys, architects, practitioners of the healing arts, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, and professional engineers.

Professional Corporations must have “P.C.” or “Professional Corporation” or “Chartered” as a part of its name.

Professional LLCs must have “PLLC” or “Professional Limited Liability Company” as a part of its name.

What are acceptable purposes for professional corporations or LLCs?

A professional corporation may be organized solely to render professional services through its shareholders, directors, officers, employees, or agents who are themselves duly licensed to render the particular service, and to render service ancillary thereto.

A professional corporation may employ persons, who are not licensed, but such persons shall not perform professional services; and no license shall be required of any person who is employed by a professional corporation to perform services for which no license is otherwise required.

What are the registered agent requirements in the District of Columbia?

The Registered agent (RA) is the individual or the entity that performs the following duties:
(1) Forward to the represented entity at the address most recently supplied to the agent by the entity any process, notice, or demand that is served on the agent;

(2) Provide the notices required by Business Organizations Act Title 29 to the entity at the address most recently supplied to the agent by the entity.

Who can act as RA in the District of Columbia?
1-Commercial registered agent; “Commercial registered agent” means a person (an individual or domestic or foreign filing entity) who have filed “Listing of commercial registered agent” filing required under § 29-104.05 with Corporations Division.

2-Noncommercial registered agent; “Noncommercial registered agent” means a person that is not a commercial registered agent and is:

(A) An individual or domestic or foreign entity that serves in the District as the agent for service of process of an entity;

(B) An individual who holds the office or other position in an entity who is designated as the agent for service of process; or

(C) A member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar who maintains an office in the District of Columbia.

What are address requirements for RAs?

RA's address must be physical street address in the District of Columbia. RA’s address may not be PO Box or address outside the District.

Can Entity act as its own RA if it has office address in the District of Columbia?
Yes. Domestic or foreign filing entity may appoint an individual within the organization to act as the registered agent in the District.

What Entities should have an RA?
All domestic and foreign filing entities are required to appoint and maintain the registered agent.
Filing entities include the following:
Limited liability companies, non-profit and for-profit corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, general partnerships, general and limited cooperative association and statutory trusts.

What is the penalty for failure to maintain RA?
Entity's status may be revoked if it fails to maintain registered agent.

What is the difference between a trade name and a corporate name?

A corporate, limited liability or partnership name is the name under which the organization is formed, or registered, and must include a distinct qualifier, for example, inc, llc, pllc, llp, lp, pc.

A trade name is the name under which a business operates or does business. The trade name is NOT the true or real name of the business. For example, Verizon Center is the trade name of the DC Arena, LP. It is the name that is most commonly associated with the business.  Go to CorpOnline site at https://corp.dcra.dc.gov, create the profile, access the online services main page (use Internet Explorer 7 or IE8). Follow the links under "Trade Names" to proceed through the registration process. Online customers must pay by using the credit card.

Does the Corporations Division provide “apostille” service ?

Corporations division does not provide that service. However, you may request this service from D.C. Office of the Secretary.

To do so, please, follow these steps:

1.  Locate document or certificate that you need and request a certified copy of that document from Corporations Division.
2. Once certified copy of the document or certificate is received from Corporations Division; contact the D.C. Office of the Secretary to request document authentication.

What online services are available through CorpOnline Service?

Currently, customers can do the following online filings:

1. Perform Data Search; including search by entity name, file number, registered agent and trade name;
2. File for Name Reservation;
3. File Biannual Reports;
4. File for Trade Names;
5. Request Good Standing Certificates;
6. Form a domestic filing entity;
7. Register a foreign filing entity;
8. Validate certificates issued by the Corporations Division.

Please, monitor the website as more online services will be available in the near future.

How do I access the CorpOnline website?

To access this service go to the CorpOnline site at https://corp.dcra.dc.gov, create a profile, access the online services main page (use Internet Explorer 8 or latest version of Firefox or Chrome), click on the appropriate link and proceed. Online filers must pay by using a credit card.

What browsers can I use to access the CorpOnline application?

• Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9; download the latest version from http://windows.microsoft.com
• latest version of Mozilla Firefox; download from www.mozilla.org
• latest version of Google Chrome; download from www.google.com/chrome

Why do I need to register to access CorpOnline services?

Registration is the simple way to protect the security of users and the system. Registration process should take less than 5 minutes to complete.

I am having issues with registration to access CorpOnline website. What do I do now?

Main issues with registration involve the problems with web browsers or registration information. Please, be mindful that user name must be unique field. You might want to try different user name (ex. try hwilson1999 instead of hwilson). If problem is related to web browser as account has been set up but you still cannot login, ensure that you are using the appropriate web browser.

I have registered for account but still cannot login. Why not?

Your user name and password has to match our files. If you do not remember your password, please, click on “reset password”. If you do not remember your user name, please, contact Corporations Division for assistance. You can also register anew. If you need to change the password or any other information from the registration page (ex, email address), you can do that after you login into your account and by clicking on “edit account”.

I am using Internet Explorer 8 / 9 but the system is unable to log me in. Why not?

There may be an issue related to "compatibility view". Please, navigate to “tools” section under your web browser and un-check "compatibility view". Then try to login in again.

I am inside the CorpOnline website but every time I click on link nothing happens. Why not?

It is web browser issue in most of the cases. Please, review the question above about the compatible web browsers and known compatibility mode issue with Internet Explorer 8/9.

How do I file for my company using CorpOnline?

When you login, you land at Business Filings page. That page is divided into domestic filings (for entities formed within the District of Columbia) and foreign entities (entities formed outside of the District of Columbia). You will need to pick appropriate filing and proceed. Please, ensure to read the information page for each web filing to make sure that you are under correct filing.

I am trying to file a report but I get an error message about timeout. Why?

Please ensure that you complete your transaction within 15 minutes, which is the default time for the system. If system detects that user is inactive for 15 minutes then you will encounter timeout warning. In that case you must login and try your filing again.

I have just filed my biennial report. What do I get after the filing?

A confirmation page is your last page that states that report was successfully submitted and gives the summary of the information such as entity name, fee amount, etc. A copy of report is sent to the email address of the user who logged into the system and filed. A copy of the report is also available under “Approved Services” tab by clicking on the “plus” sign.

What are the tabs under my online account?

CorpOnline service is divided into four tabs:

1. Business Filings Tab--all online filings listed and divided into domestic and foreign filings;
2. Service Management Tab--progress of the filing; it has the following three sections:
   A – “Pending Services”  
   B – “Received Services”  
   C – “Rejected Services” 
3. Approved Services Tab--  all filings that have been done under any given account and have been approved 
4. Business Filings Search Tab--allows you to search any entity that is registered with Corporations Division

I have used one of the online services and submitted my request. What is the next step?

Your filing has been received by Corporations Division if filing appears under “received services” section of the service management tab. In that case, it will be reviewed within 15 business days unless the expedited option of one or three days has been selected. You will get approval certificate by email or rejection letter specifying the reasons for rejection.

I have used one of the online services and submitted my request. What is the next step?

Your filing is received by Corporations division if filing appears under “received services” section of service management tab. In that case it will be reviewed within 15 business days unless expedited option of one or three days has been selected. You will get approval certificate by email or rejection letter specifying the reasons for rejection.

I have paid for my filing but my filing still shows up under “Pending Services” section. What do I do now?

If filings are shown under “Pending Services” section that means that filings have not been fully submitted to CorporationsDivision. Please, click on “edit” and navigate to last page to click on “submit to backoffice”. Please, ensure that filing appears under “Received Services” as this is the evidence of successful submission.

My filing has been rejected. I see it under “Rejected Services” section. What do I need to do to resubmit?

Access the rejection letter and note the reason for deficiency and staff member’s name. Click on “re-file”, correct the deficiency and resubmit for final approval. Please, note that system should not charge you again unless you select to upgrade to expedited service.
If error message is thrown or system is trying to charge you, please, report this problem to Corporations Division.

I have paid for filing but system asks me again for the payment. Why?

Please, ensure that you are accessing the correct workflow. If you have multiple filings under “Pending Services” you will need to locate the one that has been used for payment and proceed.

I have searched for my company by using “Business Filings Search” and my information is not correct; how do I correct it?

Please report your issue by contacting Corporations Division and provide as many details as possible about the nature of the inaccuracy.

I am using Mac PC and I am having some issues. Do you plan to configure the website to work with Macs?

CorpOnline site is configured to work with the Safari browser. However, some users have reported issues after logging into their account. If Safari does not work properly, report this issue to Corporations Division. You can also install Chrome or Firefox for Macs and there should not be any more issues with site navigation.

I have a work order id number. What is it?

Work order id is created when customer opens one of the workflows. Please, check “Service Management” tab to verify whether the filing is submitted – as shown under “received services” section or if it is still pending – shown under “pending services” section. If filing is still pending, please, click on “edit”; complete the information and “submit to backoffice” so that filing will appear under “received services”.

I am trying to access the site but system returns “Server error 404 - File or directory not found”. Is the site down? What should I do?

Some customers experience this issue as the CorpOnline site is up but their web browser forwards them to error site. To fix this issue, you may want to try one of the following: 

• clear all your browsing data (select tool -> delete browsing history for Internet Explorer 9) and close all browser windows and connect to the site again; 
• try a different web browser and type the site address again; 3-try a different computer and connect to site again. If CorpOnline site is down, Corporations Division will post the site maintenance page.

I have paid for my filing but it did not submit. Now system asks for the payment again. Why?

You may have gone through the filing but failed to click on “submit to backoffice” as the final step of the workflow. 

You may want to click on edit option under the filing and try to submit it again. If failed, you will need to contact Corporations Division and provide your payment details to validate your payment. Once this is done, you may be offered the credit for payment and you can submit your filing anew or division will instruct you to reconstruct the filing using the paper form and email it to a particular staff member for final approval and filing.