Certificate of Good Standing Washington D.C.
A Washington D.C. certificate of good standing verifies that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
In our Certificate of Good Standing Washington D.C. guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Washington D.C.
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How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Washington D.C.?
You can obtain your Washington D.C. certificate of good standing by requesting it from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
There are two main steps for getting your certificate of good standing:
2. Order your certificate of good standing
What is a certificate of good standing? A certificate of good standing is a state document that verifies your business was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
Step 1. Make Sure Your Washington D.C. Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Washington D.C. certificate of good standing, your business must stay up-to-date with district compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Washington D.C., you must follow federal, state, and local licensing guidelines. This can include regulations like health permits and building permits.
You can find out more about district licensing requirements with the Washington D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection website.
District Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Washington D.C. tax. This can include sales tax, withholding tax, or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Washington D.C. businesses must also pay a form of franchise tax. Corporations must pay the Corporate Franchise Tax, and LLCs must pay the Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax.
The minimum payment is either $250 for businesses with Washington D.C. gross receipts of $1 million or less, or $1,000 for businesses with Washington D.C. gross receipts over $1 million.
Biennial Reports
All Washington D.C. LLCs and corporations must file a biennial report. This report verifies the business’s basic information including its principal office address and registered agent information.
The report must be filed every two years by April 1 with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. It can be filed online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $300.
Step 2. Order Your Washington D.C. Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the district, you can request a Washington D.C. certificate of good standing from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. This can be done online.
ORDER A WASHINGTON D.C. CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING
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Order OnlineFiling Cost: $50
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Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Washington D.C.?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of good standing to run your business in Washington D.C., there are several instances where you may need to get one. These include:
- Purchasing business insurance
- Applying for business loans
- Opening a business checking account
- Registering to do business in other states
Washington D.C. Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
A certificate of good standing is a legal document that confirms that your business is compliant with state regulations.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of status, certificates of existence, or certificates of compliance.
You can get a Washington D.C. certificate of good standing by remaining compliant with district regulations and ordering a certificate online.
In Washington D.C., ordering a certificate of good standing costs $50.
Because many banks and insurance companies will want a business’s certificate of good standing in order to do business, we recommend getting one as soon as possible.
A Washington D.C. certificate of good standing does not have an expiration date. However, requesters — such as banks, creditors, and foreign business states — often have their own guidelines for a certificate's validity.
Obtaining a Washington D.C. certificate of good standing means that the district recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Washington D.C. businesses often need a certificate of good standing in order to do business outside of Washington D.C., obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Washington D.C. businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of good standing. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Washington D.C. or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Washington D.C. certificate of good standing, it will be available to view online.