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Corporation Filing Fees in the District of Columbia

In the District of Columbia, filing articles of incorporation costs $99 for a corporation with authorized capital up to $100,000 (more for larger capital), and the biennial report costs $300.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

District of Columbia at a glance

Articles of incorporation fee
$99 minimum
Applies to authorized capital up to $100,000. Higher tiers: $550 up to $500,000, $1,100 up to $1,000,000, and $1,650 above $1,000,000.
Annual report fee
$300 (biennial report)
A $100 late fee applies to for-profit entities that file after April 1 of the year due.
Report frequency
Every two years
Due by April 1 of the year after formation and every second year after that.

The rules in the District of Columbia

How much does it cost to file articles of incorporation in the District of Columbia?

Articles of incorporation fee in the District of Columbia: $99 minimum. Applies to authorized capital up to $100,000. Higher tiers: $550 up to $500,000, $1,100 up to $1,000,000, and $1,650 above $1,000,000.

What is the annual report fee for a corporation in the District of Columbia?

Annual report fee in the District of Columbia: $300 (biennial report). A $100 late fee applies to for-profit entities that file after April 1 of the year due.

How often does a corporation in the District of Columbia have to file a report with the state?

Report frequency in the District of Columbia: Every two years. Due by April 1 of the year after formation and every second year after that.

Where do the the District of Columbia corporation filing fees come from?

The rules above come from D.C. Code 29-102.11 and D.C. Code 29-102.12. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Check the filing office's current fee schedule before you file. Fees are set by statute but can change, and some offices add separate charges for expedited processing, certified copies, name reservations, or paying by card.

Note the report due date when the corporation is formed. Missing a periodic report can lead to late fees, loss of good standing, and eventually administrative dissolution, which can affect contracts and lawsuits.

The formation fee is only one part of the cost. Franchise or privilege taxes, publication requirements, and local business licenses are often separate, so budget for them as well.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.