Washington DC Registered Agent: LLC Guide

Washington DC Registered Agent: LLC Guide

What is a Washington DC Registered Agent?

A man with registered agent selection

A Washington DC Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your Washington DC LLC.


The Washington DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs might also use your Registered Agent's address as the main contact for sending official notices to your LLC.

A Registered Agent might also be called a Washington DC Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.

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Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Washington DC?

You need a Registered Agent in Washington DC because it's required by law. Every LLC in Washington DC must have one to operate legally.

Registered Agents provide support to the legal and court processes. They oversee the accurate delivery and tracking of court papers and legal mail.

What Does a Registered Agent Do?

A Registered Agent gets important documents for you and then passes them on to you.

In Washington DC, Registered Agents must:

  • Have a physical address in Washington DC (not a PO box)
  • Keep regular business hours
  • Accept legal documents and Service of Process for businesses
  • Quickly forward those documents to the businesses

Who can be my Registered Agent in Washington DC?

You have three options for choosing your Washington DC Registered Agent:

  1. You
  2. A friend or family member.
  3. A Registered Agent Service in Washington DC

Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Washington DC?

You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in Washington DC:

  1. You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
  2. A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
  3. You can hire a Washington DC Registered Agent Service.

Being your own Washington DC Registered Agent

You can be your own Registered Agent if you:

  • Have a real street address in Washington DC
  • Are available during business hours

Pros: It will save you money.

Cons: Your name and address will be public. There are also some risks involved.

Asking a Friend or Family Member to be Your LLC's Registered Agent

You can ask a friend or family member to be your Registered Agent in Washington DC.

They need to:

  • Have a street address in Washington DC
  • Be available during business hours

Make sure they agree and understand their duties. Their information will be public.

Pros: It saves money.

Cons: Their address will be public, and they might not be as reliable as a professional service.

Hiring a Washington DC Registered Agent Service

A Registered Agent Service handles your LLC's legal mail.

It’s a good choice if:

  • You want to keep your address private
  • You don't have an address in Washington DC
  • You're not available during business hours
  • You don't want to handle the paperwork
  • You need help with setting up your LLC
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How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost?

In Washington DC, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.

Washington DC Registered Agent FAQs

How much does a Registered Agent cost in DC?

If you (or a friend or family member) will be your Registered Agent, there is no cost.

If you want to hire a Registered Agent Service, it will cost between $100 and $300 per year.

What is the best Registered Agent Service in DC?

We’ve reviewed the top Registered Agent Services in the industry and think the best Registered Agent Services in DC are:


  • Northwest Registered Agent
  • ZenBusiness
  • MyCompanyWorks
  • Harbor Compliance
  • IncFile

  • Rocket Lawyer
  • LegalZoom

To learn more about how these companies compare against each other, check out Best Registered Agent Services in DC.

Note: If you want to save money, you can be the Registered Agent for your DC LLC.

Can I be my own Registered Agent in DC?

Yes, you can be your own Registered Agent in DC if you are a resident of the District and you have a street address in DC.

Can a family member be a Registered Agent in DC?

Yes, a family member can be your Registered Agent in DC, if they meet the legal requirements.

To be your Registered Agent, your family member must have a physical address in DC (PO Boxes aren’t allowed). They must also be available at that address during normal business hours.