Resident Agent Info

District of Columbia Resident Agent Information

Where to file, who to call and what the state expects of the agent who receives legal papers for a District of Columbia business entity.

The District's statute uses the term registered agent: D.C. Code section 29-104.02 requires every domestic filing entity, domestic limited liability partnership and registered foreign entity to designate and maintain a registered agent in the District.

The District of Columbia filing office.

Every business entity formed or registered in District of Columbia must appoint a resident agent and keep the appointment on file with this office. The statute, the forms and the fees are the office's; confirm them there.

Street address

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
1100 4th Street SW
Washington, DC 20024

Mailing address

Same as the street address.

Phone and website

Voice
(202) 442-4400
Website
dlcp.dc.gov

Office hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Eastern Time (ET)

Office details as published in our directory; offices move and renumber, so check the website before you mail or visit.

What a resident agent must do in District of Columbia

The basics are the same here as in every other state. The agent must:

  • keep a physical street address in District of Columbia (not a post office box) that appears on the entity's public record;
  • be available at that address during normal business hours to accept service of process;
  • accept lawsuits, subpoenas and official notices from the state on the entity's behalf and forward them promptly;
  • stay on the record: if the agent moves, resigns or is replaced, a change must be filed with the office above.

An entity that lets its appointment lapse falls out of compliance and can lose its good standing. The requirements page explains the rules in more detail, and what is a resident agent explains the role itself.

Other states.