What a registered agent does in District of Columbia
District of Columbia requires every LLC to designate a registered agent with a physical District of Columbia address (no PO boxes) who can accept legal service of process during business hours. This is non-negotiable — operating without one in good standing risks administrative dissolution.
Three options for a District of Columbia registered agent
| Option | Annual cost | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| DIY — yourself | $0 | Your home address becomes public; you must be available 9-5 in District of Columbia. |
| Budget service (Northwest, Bizee) | $39-$125 | Privacy + scanned mail forwarding; reliable. |
| Premium (LegalZoom, CT Corporation) | $150-$300 | Bundled with compliance reminders and document storage. |
Which to choose
- Living in District of Columbia and don't care about privacy → DIY.
- Want a non-public business address → Northwest Registered Agent ($125/year) or Bizee ($39 first year, $119 after).
- Multi-state operations → CT Corporation or InCorp for consistency across jurisdictions.
Switching agents later
You can change registered agents anytime by filing a statement of change with the District of Columbia Secretary of State, usually $10-$25. There's no penalty for switching.