In Short: How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Washington DC
The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division, issues the Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing. Order it online through the BOSS portal: sign in with Access DC, open Certificates & Certified Copies and choose the Good Standing Certificate tile. The fee is $50 for LLCs and corporations. DLCP processes non-expedited online filings within 5 business days, and expedite options cost $50 for 3-day or $100 for 1-day service.
- Official name: Certificate of Good Standing
- Issued by: DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division
- Fee: $50.00 for LLCs and business corporations
- How to order: Online through BOSS, signing in with Access DC
- Turnaround: Within 5 business days for non-expedited online filings; 3-day and 1-day expedite available
- Free status check: The DLCP CorpOnline search
- What keeps you in good standing: Filing the Biennial Report (BRA-25) by April 1 and keeping a registered agent on file
Washington DC handles business registration through DLCP rather than a Secretary of State, so the agency, portal and form names differ from neighboring states. The District of Columbia also issues a separate tax certificate, the Certificate of Clean Hands, through its Office of Tax and Revenue. This page covers both documents, the fees and how to keep your Washington DC LLC in good standing. For other states, see our guide on how to get a certificate of good standing.
What a Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing Is
A Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing is an official document from the DLCP Corporations Division confirming that your LLC or corporation exists on DC’s business records and is current with its filing obligations. For LLCs, DLCP issues it as a good standing or status certificate at the same $50 fee. The certificate is not available for trade names, so order it in the name of the registered LLC or corporation.
Banks ask for the certificate when you open a business account. Lenders, payment processors, buyers in due diligence and licensing agencies ask for it too. Other states require it when you register your Washington DC entity there as a foreign business.
How to Order a Certificate of Good Standing in Washington DC
DLCP takes certificate orders online through BOSS, its business filing portal. Follow these steps:
- Go to BOSS and sign in through Access DC. Create an Access DC account first if you do not have one.
- Open Certificates & Certified Copies.
- Select the Good Standing Certificate tile.
- Search for your entity by name or file number and select it.
- Choose standard processing or an expedite option, and pay the $50 fee plus any expedite fee.
- Download the certificate from the “Certificates and Filing Images” tab in your BOSS account once DLCP issues it.
Fee details are on the DLCP Corporations Division LLC fee page.
Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing Fees and Processing Time
| Method | Fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Online through BOSS, standard (LLC) | $50.00 | Within 5 business days |
| Online through BOSS, standard (business corporation) | $50.00 | Within 5 business days |
| Online, 3-day expedite | $50.00 plus $50 | 3 days |
| Online, 1-day expedite | $50.00 plus $100 | 1 day |
| Certified copy of a filing | $50.00 | Within 5 business days |
The expedite fees are DLCP’s published rates for online filings. DLCP does not publish a separate timeline for certificates, so the 5-business-day figure is its standard for non-expedited online filings.
How to Check Washington DC Good Standing Status for Free
The DLCP CorpOnline search is free. Search by entity name or file number to see the entity’s current status on DC’s business records. Check it before you pay $50 for a certificate, so you can fix a late Biennial Report first. For a walkthrough of the search screens, read our Washington DC business entity search guide.
How a Washington DC LLC Stays in Good Standing
Washington DC LLCs and corporations file a Biennial Report, form BRA-25, with DLCP. The first report is due April 1 of the calendar year after the entity registers. After that, it is due every two years by April 1.
- Fee: $300.00 for LLCs and corporations.
- Late fee: $100.00 on top of the filing fee.
DC also requires a registered agent at all times. If an entity fails to maintain a registered agent for more than 60 days, DLCP can revoke its status. If you live outside DC, choose a registered agent that keeps a DC address and forwards every notice. To compare schedules in other states, see our list of annual report filing requirements by state.
What to Do If Your Washington DC Business Is Not in Good Standing
If CorpOnline shows a problem, act on the cause:
- Late Biennial Report: file BRA-25 and pay the $300.00 fee plus the $100.00 late fee.
- Missing registered agent: appoint a new registered agent before the 60-day limit passes.
- Administratively dissolved: file an application for reinstatement. Domestic filing entities use Form GN-5, and the reinstatement fee after administrative dissolution is $300.00.
Once DLCP processes the filing, order a new certificate through BOSS. For the general process, read how to reinstate an administratively dissolved LLC.
Washington DC Tax Good Standing vs Secretary of State Certificate
In Washington DC, DLCP, not a Secretary of State, handles business filings and issues the Certificate of Good Standing, which confirms the entity’s status on the business records. Tax standing is separate. The DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) issues a Certificate of Clean Hands, which reflects the business’s standing with DC’s tax office. Obtain it through MyTax.DC.gov, where the result is immediate. Non-residents can use OTR’s online request, which takes 3 business days. Details are on the OTR Certificate of Clean Hands page. Send the Clean Hands certificate when an agency, contract or license asks about DC taxes, and the DLCP certificate when someone asks for good standing.
Using a Washington DC Certificate in Another State
When you register your Washington DC LLC as a foreign entity in another state, that state’s filing office asks for proof that the company is in good standing in DC. Pay for 1-day or 3-day expedite if you face a filing deadline, and check the receiving state’s age limit on certificates. Learn how the two documents work together in our guide to certificate of good standing vs certificate of authority.
$0 formation fee plus the state filing fee. Registered agent free for the first year.
Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing FAQs
Who issues a Certificate of Good Standing in Washington DC?
The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division, issues it. You order it online through the BOSS portal after signing in with Access DC.
How much does a Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing cost?
The fee is $50.00 for LLCs and business corporations. Expedite options for online filings cost $50 for 3-day service or $100 for 1-day service.
How long does a Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing take?
DLCP processes non-expedited online filings within 5 business days. Once issued, the certificate appears in the “Certificates and Filing Images” tab in your BOSS account.
When is the Washington DC Biennial Report due?
The first Biennial Report (BRA-25) is due April 1 of the calendar year after registration, then every two years by April 1. The fee is $300.00, and a late filing adds $100.00.
What is a DC Certificate of Clean Hands?
The Certificate of Clean Hands comes from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue and covers the business’s tax standing, separate from the DLCP good standing certificate. It is available through MyTax.DC.gov with an immediate result, or through OTR’s online request for non-residents in 3 business days.
Fees verified against official Washington DC sources in October 2026. State fees change; confirm the current amount on the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection site before you order.
