Washington D.C. Articles of Incorporation
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What Are Washington D.C. Articles of Incorporation?
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
- Provides governance and adds credibility
Fast Facts
For Domestic Corporations:
| Agency: | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division |
| Form: | Articles of Incorporation of Domestic Business Corporation DBU-1 |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Depends on authorized capital:
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| Turnaround: | ~3-4 weeks by mail. ~10 business days online. ~3 business days for $50 expedite fee. ~1 business day for $100 expedite fee. In-person documents are expedited and processed same-day. |
| Law: |
For Domestic Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division |
| Form: | Articles of Incorporation of Domestic Professional For-Profit Corporation DPR-1 |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Depends on authorized capital:
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Other Helpful Washington D.C. Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Washington D.C..
Washington D.C. Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or articles of incorporations fix a different number. No less than one third.
Washington D.C. Officers
- As stated in the bylaws, but a minimum of one. One person may hold multiple offices. One officer is required to be responsible for maintaining corporate records.
Washington D.C. Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
Washington D.C. Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes, unless directors are elected by written consent.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action. Bylaws may provide if enough shareholders consent to equal the number required to take action by vote.
Washington D.C. Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
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