5 Best DC LLC Formation Services 2023 List (Updated)

When you decide to start an LLC in DC, you must thoroughly research and do your homework. Starting an LLC is relatively easy; with professional help, opening an LLC in DC becomes even smoother. You will find many such companies when choosing the best LLC formation service in DC. Surprisingly, every other company will claim to be the best. But who to trust? How do you know who is the best for your business?

LLCBuddy Editors have eased the task for you. We scanned the market and came up with a list of the best LLC formation services in DC. You can compare their services, prices, and other information here before choosing the right one!

If you do not like reading a long article, you can watch the above video for the complete list of best LLC DC LLC formation services. It is mandatory to choose the best LLC formation service in DC, especially when you want to get rid of any hassle while forming your DC LLC. You may start it on your own, but it will not be a wise decision, as missing out any step or even a small thing can lead to the cancellation of the process.

Best LLC Service in DC

On this page, you’ll learn about the following:

Best LLC Formation Services in DC
How to Form an LLC in DC
How to Choose the Best LLC Formation Service in DC
FAQs

Best LLC Formation Services in DC

Here is the list of best LLC services available in DC. The best thing about these services is starting your LLC for free. Some of the following services are offering LLC formation in DC at $0. Other than the state fees and charges, you do not have to pay any charges to the service provider. You will get the basic formation package for free. Now, let’s check out the list of best LLC formation service providers in DC-

LLC Service	Our Rating & Pricing	Top Features	Learn More
#1 TOP PICK	5/5 $0 + State Fees	Free LLC formation Access to Legal Support Trustworthy and established reputation	Learn More
	4/5 $299 + State Fees	Flat pricing for all services Basic business filing services A+ BBB Accredited	Learn More

Below is the list of best LLC formation services in DC we picked for you.

LLCBuddy Editorial Team selects these companies through thorough research and market study. It is recommended that you must cross-check all the factors before choosing the right one for your business.

1. LegalZoom

LegalZoom is one of the service providers in DC that offers free LLC formation services. If you want to avoid spending money to form your LLC, then LegalZoom is for you. It offers various formation packages that include all types of LLC services. Aside from LLC formation, LegalZoom offers C and S corp formation. With over thousands of customers, the company offers basic LLC formation services at $0.

LegalZoom Plans

Basic Package- $0 + State Filing Fees (Tax deduction may be applicable)
Pro Package – $249 + State Filing Fees (Tax deductible may be applicable)
Premium Package – $279 + State Filing Fees (Tax deduction may be applicable)

Apart from these packages, LegalZoom offers a bunch of add-on services as well. Add-on services include the following-

Registered Agent – $299 per year. Available as an add-on and not included in any packages
Trademark registration: Assisting with the US trademark application process
Copyright registration: Guidance on registering copyrights for creative works
Patent services: Support in obtaining utility, design, and plant patents
Estate planning: Offering personalized wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents
Legal advice: Access to a network of lawyers for consultations and legal guidance
Expedited Filing: With an additional $99, you can speed up your filing process.

LegalZoom Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get LegalZoom	Why You Shouldn’t Get LegalZoom
Free LLC formation	Expensive add-ons, such as Registered Agent
Trustworthy and established reputation	Higher pricing compared to some competitors
Quick turnaround time	Less number of add-on options
Access to legal professionals	Some additional fees not included in plan prices
Customer support available through phone or chat	Mixed customer reviews

LegalZoom Overview

LegalZoom is one of the oldest companies in USA. This company is a service provider offering LLC formation at $0. It offers three broad packages, Basic, Pro, and Premium. The Basic package costs $0. Though you must pay the DC filing fee while filing the Articles of Organization with the DC Secretary of State. The filing fee depends on which method, mail, online, or any other method you choose.

LegalZoom offers vast add-ones like others. Hence, the chances of getting diverse services are comparatively high. The best part about the company is there is an access to legal documents and legal consultation. The registered agent service is a bit expensive. If you want to hire Registered Agent from LegalZoom, you must purchase that service separately, it does not come with any formation plans.

Form LLC in DC with LegalZoom

2. BetterLegal

BetterLegal is a comparatively new company than other competitors. But this company has successfully grabbed a large portion of the market in the United States. Serving in 51 states, BetterLegal has been in business since 2016. Unlike other experienced companies, it does not have a list of packages and plans for LLC formation.

BetterLegal Plans

BetterLegal offers one single plan at a flat $299 + state filing fees. It has a list of add-on services as well. BetterLegal is an online service that started off with a very small team. However, even after being in the business for so long, they didn’t increase their team size much. They have transparent pricing, and no hidden charge exists for any services they provide.

BetterLegal offers a list of add-on services. Following are the additional services they offer-

Registered Agent service – $10/month or $90/year
State Annual compliance services – $10/month or $90/year
Permit & License Search Service – $125
Amendment & document research – Free with the core formation service package

BetterLegal Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get BetterLegal	Why You Shouldn’t Get BetterLegal
No refund; all sales are final	The basic package does not include registered agent service
Quick Turnaround time	Additional charge for EIN
A+ BBB Accredited	The basic package does not include a registered agent service
Single plan for all incorporation

BetterLegal Overview

Even though the company is called BetterLegal, no attorneys or legal services are available. The company offers a single plan for all types of business formation. Hence, if you are planning to form a corporation, you can pay $299 + incorporation fee ($220 for filing online and by mail filing in DC). It offers comparatively better turnaround time at a reasonable price than other companies. You can file your LLC within 10 minutes with BetterLegal.

It offers a resource center for new entrepreneurs. They provide guidance to make things easier when it comes to filing your business. Their small team sometimes fails to cater to their customers on time. Reaching out to their customer support team is very difficult. Another disadvantage is it does not have a refund policy. All sales with BetterLegal are final, and at any stage, upon cancelation, no refund is made. However, basic LLC formation and registered agent services are much cheaper in BetterLegal than in other close competitors.

Form LLC in DC with BetterLegal

3. TailorBrands

Do you want to create a brand for your business in DC? Here is the LLC formation service provider, TailorBrands, for you. The company was established in 2015 in New York, and since then, it has offered several incredible services to set up your business. TailorBrands has a single LLC formation plan that starts at $49 a year. You can choose different other add-on services at an additional cost.

TailorBrands Services

TailorBrands offer a single plan for forming an LLC at $49. There are some basic services that TailorBrands offer, including starting an LLC, filing it, DC name availability search, priority support, and so on. You can use their add-on services as and when required. Add-ons are-

Registered Agent Service – $199/year
Employment ID Number (EIN) – $99 (one-time pay)
Annual Compliances – $299/year
Operating Agreement – $29
Expedited Filing – $49
Business bank account – Free

TailorBrands Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get TailorBrands	Why You Shouldn’t Get TailorBrands
Low-cost LLC formation	Not BBB Accredited
Free business bank accounts	No business domain packages
Hassle-free LLC formation	Additional charges to obtain EIN
Additional services like logo, website, domain

TailorBrands Overview

TailorBrands does not have vast LLC formation packages. Instead, it has a single package that includes the formation of LLCs. The name availability search is unlimited, and you don’t have to pay any additional fees. The state filing fee of $220 must be paid apart from the charges you pay for add-ons.

TailorBrands offers other business services such as logo making, domain, website, business bank account, merchandise, and other business services. As a small or start-up business, you must go for TailorBrands.

Form LLC in DC with TailorBrands

4. ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a Texas-based company that provides services from formation to annual compliance to an LLC. It offers three plans, Starter, Pro, and Premium. The Starter plan starts from $0. That means you can form your LLC for free in DC, though you must pay the state filing fee of $220 to the DC Secretary of State. But, the company charges nothing to form your business in the state.

ZenBusiness Plans

Starter Plan at $0 + state filing fee
Pro Plan at $199/year + state filing fee
Premium Plan at $299/year + state filing fee

ZenBusiness Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get ZenBusiness	Why You Should Not Get ZenBusiness
100% accuracy rate	Does not form DC nonprofit
Free LLC formation in DC	Additional cost for EIN
User friendly
Standalone Registered Agent services

ZenBusiness Overview

ZenBusiness is one of those top-rated companies that provide business formation in DC at a minimum cost (currently at $0). There is no charge to be paid to the company for forming your LLC in DC. The state filing fee and other necessary fees must be paid, including the registered agent fee.

ZenBusiness offers three plans, among which the Pro plan is recommended. The Pro plan has everything you need to start an LLC in DC. Obtaining EIN, operating agreement drafting, name search, and all other services are available with the rush filing feature.

Form LLC in DC with ZenBusiness

5. Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent is a family-owned business based in Spoken, Washington state. The company offers LLC formation, registered agent service, annual compliances, and other business-related services in all 50 states, including DC. It offers LLC formation at $ 39+ state fees and registered agent service at $125 yearly.

Northwest Plans

Northwest does not have conventional packages. It offers Core, Business maintenance, and business development services. Under these categories, various services are available at a flat rate. Some of the services offered by Northwest in DC are listed below-

LLC formation in DC at $39 + state filing fee
Registered Agent at $125 yearly
Annual report filing at $100 + state filing fee
Obtaining EIN at $50
Northwest offers National Agent Service. If you operate your LLC Registered Agent in 5 or more states, you can pay $100 + state fees (if applicable) to get a single agent for all states.

Northwest Registered Agent Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get Northwest	Why You Should Not Get Northwest
DIY Packages for your LLC in DC	Not BBB accredited
No plans, flat rate for all services	Additional charges to obtain EIN in DC
Purchase only the service you need to form DC LLC.	The operating agreement draft is not included in the Core services
Northwest offers standalone Registered Agent service in DC

Northwest Registered Agent Overview

Northwest is one of those service providers that offer DIY packages. Northwest is not for you if you want a wholesome formation package in DC. It does not have conventional LLC formation packages. It is simply like a departmental store for you. You don’t need to buy everything, but the only thing you need.

Northwest has in-house corporate guides to guide you through the formation process. It offers LLC formation at $39 plus the state filing fee ($220). If you have already formed your LLC in DC and are willing to appoint Registered Agent only, then Northwest can provide a standalone registered agent service at $125 per year.

Northwest offers single flat rates for all services in DC and other states. The best part about the company is it does not outsource any of its services. Northwest offers corporate guides to help you through the steps of LLC formation.

Form LLC in DC with Northwest Registered Agent

How to Form an LLC in DC

DC, popularly known as The Nation’s Capital, is a business-friendly state with a population of 715,891. The Nominal Gross Domestic Product (in millions) of DC is $163,150 according to a 2022 study, which has been said to be increased over the past year. Hence, starting your business in DC will always be a good option. If you choose the state capital, Washington DC, to start your LLC, you might get more tax and other benefits.

To form an LLC in DC, you need to follow some basic steps, including getting an LLC name, appointing your DC Registered Agent, filing the DC Articles of Organization, creating DC LLC operating agreement, and finally getting an EIN for filing required taxes.

You can do that on your own. However, it is always recommended to get a professional person on board to guide you through. These steps are crucial and sensitive. You must complete everything to avoid canceling your formation process. Hence, having a professional LLC formation service for your LLC is better.

How to Choose the Best LLC Formation Service in DC

It is important to choose the best service for your business carefully. Before you select the best one, make sure you thoroughly research on following points-

Reputation: Look for a company with a good reputation. Check reviews and ratings from previous clients to see how they feel about the services offered.
Experience: Choose a company with years of LLC formation experience. This ensures that they have knowledge of the process and can provide quality services.
Cost: Compare prices between different companies. Choose a company that offers affordable pricing for the services you need.
Customer Service: Ensure that the company has good customer service. They should be responsive, helpful, and willing to answer any questions.
Services Offered: Look for a company that offers a range of services, including entity formation, registered agent services, and ongoing compliance support to ensure your LLC remains in good standing.
Ease of Use: Choose a company with a user-friendly website and easy-to-use online platform. This makes the process of forming an LLC simple and straightforward.
Guarantees: Check if the company offers a satisfaction guarantee or a refund policy. This gives you peace of mind that you are getting the best possible service.

FAQs

How do I form an LLC in DC?

To form an LLC in DC, you must file articles of organization with the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).

What are some good LLC formation services in DC?

Some popular LLC formation services in DC include Incfile and Northwest Registered Agent.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in DC?

The fee to file articles of organization in DC is $220.

Do I need a registered agent for my DC LLC?

Yes, you must have a registered agent with a physical address in DC.

Can I be my own registered agent for my DC LLC?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent, but it is not recommended.

What are the benefits of using an LLC formation service in DC?

An LLC formation service can simplify the process of forming an LLC in DC and ensure that it is done correctly.

How long does it take to form an LLC in DC?

It typically takes 5-10 business days to process LLC filings in DC.

What documents do I need to form an LLC in DC?

You need to file articles of organization and a registered agent consent form with the DCRA.

Can I change my registered agent for my DC LLC?

Yes, you can change your registered agent at any time by filing a form with the DCRA.

How do I dissolve my DC LLC?

To dissolve a DC LLC, you must file articles of cancellation with the DCRA.

How often do I need to renew my DC LLC?

In DC, LLCs must file biennial reports every two years.

What is the deadline for filing a DC LLC biennial report?

The deadline for filing a DC LLC biennial report is April 1st.

Do I have to pay taxes on my DC LLC?

Yes, LLCs in DC are subject to taxation at the state and federal levels.

Can I have a single-member LLC in DC?

Yes, single-member LLCs are allowed in DC.

Can I have a foreign LLC in DC?

Yes, foreign LLCs can qualify to operate in DC if they file for foreign qualification.

Do I need an operating agreement for my DC LLC?

An operating agreement is not required by law, but it is highly recommended.

Can I file my DC LLC documents online?

Yes, you can file many LLC documents online through the DCRA website.

How do I get an EIN for my DC LLC?

You can apply for an EIN online or by mail.

What is an EIN?

An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a unique identifier assigned by the IRS for tax purposes.

How do I check if my LLC name is available in DC?

You can check availability of the name you want on the DCRA website.

Can I reserve a name for my DC LLC?

Yes, you can reserve a name for a period of 120 days by filing a form and paying a fee.

How do I register my LLC for DC taxes?

You can register for DC taxes through the Office of Tax and Revenue.

Do I need a business license for my DC LLC?

Yes, most DC LLCs are required to have a Basic Business License from the DCRA.

Can I convert my DC LLC to a corporation?

Yes, you can convert your DC LLC to a corporation by filing articles of incorporation with the DCRA.

Can I transfer my DC LLC to another state?

Yes, you can transfer your DC LLC to another state by filing for foreign qualification in the new state.

What is the DC Business Improvement District?

The DC Business Improvement District is a public-private partnership that manages and promotes specific commercial areas throughout DC.

Can the DC Business Improvement District help my LLC?

Yes, the DC Business Improvement District can provide resources and support to small businesses and commercial property owners in its designated areas.

What is the DC Office of Small and Local Business Development?

The DC Office of Small and Local Business Development provides resources, training, and support for small and local businesses in DC.

How can the DC Office of Small and Local Business Development help my LLC?

The DC Office of Small and Local Business Development can provide guidance on starting and growing a business in DC, as well as access to financing and networking opportunities.

What are the advantages of forming an LLC in DC?

LLC in DC gets taxed at a lower rate and offers limited liability protection.

Can I form an LLC in DC online?

Yes, DC offers online formation of LLCs.

Is an operating agreement required for an LLC in DC?

Operating agreement is not required but it is recommended for LLCs in DC.

Can I be my own registered agent for my LLC in DC?

Yes, a member of the LLC can be the registered agent, but with some limitations on the physical address.

What is the minimum number of members required to form an LLC in DC?

It is possible for a DC LLC to have only one member.

Can a foreign LLC do business in DC?

Yes, a foreign LLC can register to do business in DC.

Can I make changes to my DC LLC after it’s formed?

Yes, you can make changes to your LLC such as name, address, member structure later in DC.

What is the renewal fee for LLC in DC?

The renewal fee for LLC in DC is $300 and it needs to be filed every 2 years.

Can I change the registered agent for my LLC in DC?

Yes, registered agents can be changed for an LLC in DC.

What is the personal asset protection with an LLC in DC?

An LLC can offer separate liability protection and limited personal asset protection in DC.

How do I dissolve an LLC in DC?

Dissolving an LLC in DC is done by filing a Certificate of Cancellation at DCRA.

Can I reserve a name for my LLC in DC?

Yes, DC accepts name reservations for up to 120 days to form an LLC in DC.

Are LLCs required to obtain a business license in DC?

In most cases, completing DCRA registration is required for obtaining a business license in DC.

What is the difference between LLC and Corporation in DC?

One key difference between LLC and Corporation in DC is tax liability.

What are the annual fees for LLC in DC?

LLCs in DC must renew their license by paying $300 biennially and $220 to file online.

Can I change my DC LLC address online?

LLCs can change their address of record for free at DCRA’s CorpOnline in DC.

Can DC LLC names be duplicated?

No, LLCs are stimated altogether based on factors like phonetics and naming conflicts in dba.dc.gov.

Can I choose any name for my LLC in DC?

No, the LLC name must at least contain the term “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company.”

Can I get a refund on my DC LLC registration fee?

No, once the documentation is accepted and processed, the registration fee for DC LLC cannot be moved or refunded.

What is the tax structure for a single-member LLC in DC?

Single-member LLCs’ profits are handled as pass-through entity taxation.

How do I check business name availability in DC?

Online availability in DC can be checked at IRS.gov.

What is foreign qualification for LLCs in DC?

A foreign qualification allows an out-of-state LLC to transact business in another state.

Can my LLC in DC be treated as an S-corporation for tax purposes?

Yes, some LLCs can choose to be classified as an S-corporation for tax purposes in DC.

Can LLCs in DC be taxed as a corporation?

Yes, LLCs can elect to be taxed for federal purposes as C as corporate-type tax.

Can I form an anonymous or anonymous DBA LLC in DC?

No, you will need to share personal information/direct much of it to keep governance structures in dc.gov.

How to get TAX ID number and business license in DC?

Employers get EIN from the Internal Revenue Service while form 9 on DCRA fills up, unless required by their profession, services, or field.

Conclusion

Having a professional service to form your LLC in DC is much better than doing it yourself. It is hassle-free, and there is no chance of making mistakes while filing your business. This article lists the best LLC formation services in DC. Before you select one, make sure you compare the price, services, and features properly.