What is a Washington D.C. certificate of authority?
Companies are required to register with the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs before doing business in the District of Columbia. Businesses that are incorporated in another state will typically apply for a DC certificate of authority. Doing so registers the business as a foreign entity and eliminates the need to incorporate a new entity.
Operating without a certificate of authority may result in penalties or fines. In addition to the state’s requirements, licensing agencies, banks, and vendors will often request a certificate of authority.
When do I need a certificate of authority?
The most common reasons for applying for a certificate of authority include:
- Opening an office or physical location within the foreign state
- Hiring an employee who resides within the state
- Before beginning a contract or a job in a new state
- A vendor or bank’s requirements
- Licensing authority requirements
How do I get a Washington D.C. certificate of authority?
To obtain your Washington D.C. Certificate of Authority, you will submit an Application for Certificate of Authority, along with required certificates or certified copies from your home state. You will need to appoint a registered agent in order for your filing to be approved. Be sure to follow the state’s instructions carefully, as they can reject a document for the smallest error.
For Foreign Corporations:
| Agency: | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $220 |
| Law: | |
| Penalties: | Corporations that do business in the District prior to foreign qualification may be subject to penalties of $400 for each biennial period prior to foreign qualification. |
| Notes: | All attachments must be uploaded in jpeg, jpg, or png format and be less than 1MB. Documents must be submitted via a desktop or laptop computer (no mobile devices). |
| Required Attachments: |
|
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 90 days. |
For Foreign Limited Liability Companies:
| Agency: | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $220 |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | All attachments must be uploaded in jpeg, jpg, or png format and be less than 1MB. Documents must be submitted via a desktop or laptop computer (no mobile devices). |
| Required Attachments: |
|
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 90 days. |
For Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:
| Agency: | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $80 |
| Law: | |
| Penalties: | Nonprofits that do business in the District prior to foreign qualification may be subject to penalties of $130 for each biennial period prior to foreign qualification. |
| Notes: | All attachments must be uploaded in jpeg, jpg, or png format and be less than 1MB. Documents must be submitted via a desktop or laptop computer (no mobile devices). |
| Required Attachments: |
|
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 90 days. |
For Foreign Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $220 |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | All attachments must be uploaded in jpeg, jpg, or png format and be less than 1MB. Documents must be submitted via a desktop or laptop computer (no mobile devices). |
| Required Attachments: |
|
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 90 days. |
For Foreign Limited Partnerships:
| Agency: | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $220 |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | All attachments must be uploaded in jpeg, jpg, or png format and be less than 1MB. Documents must be submitted via a desktop or laptop computer (no mobile devices). |
| Required Attachments: |
|
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 90 days. |
For Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships:
| Agency: | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $220 |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | All attachments must be uploaded in jpeg, jpg, or png format and be less than 1MB. Documents must be submitted via a desktop or laptop computer (no mobile devices). |
| Required Attachments: |
|
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 90 days. |
What do I need from my home state?
In order to obtain a Washington D.C. Certificate of Authority, you must also submit:
- Limited Liability Company: Certificate of existence dated within 90 days.
- Corporation: Certificate of existence dated within 90 days.
- Limited Partnership: Certificate of existence dated within 90 days.
- Limited Liability Partnership: Certificate of existence dated within 90 days.
- Nonprofit Corporation: Certificate of existence dated within 90 days.
- Professional Corporation: Certificate of existence dated within 90 days.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent receives service of process and government notices on behalf of your business. When you prepare your Washington D.C. Certificate of Authority application, you must list a registered agent with a physical address within the state (P.O. Boxes are not allowed).
Many businesses do not have an individual or physical address in a new state. Listing our local registered agent address on your certificate of authority application meets the state’s requirements. Additionally, you get same day document scanning from our local office in all 50 states and DC. Our registered agent service is a flat rate of $99 per year, and you can easily add our service to any certificate of authority order.
What is the contact information for the state?
District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations DivisionPhysical Address:
1100 4th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Mailing Address:
Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Corporations Division, PO Box 712300
Philadelphia, PA 19171
Phone: (202) 442-4432
Website: https://dlcp.dc.gov/node/1614386
Name Search: https://corponline.dcra.dc.gov/Home.aspx/Landing
Forms: https://dlcp.dc.gov/node/1622076
Online Filing: https://corponline.dlcp.dc.gov/Home.aspx/Landing
Email: dlcp@dc.gov
