Form DPR-1, the Articles of Incorporation of Domestic Professional For-Profit Corporation, is the document the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division, uses to establish a new professional business corporation in the District of Columbia. It is for incorporators whose shareholders and directors are licensed to render the professional service the corporation will provide. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its instruction sheet are published by the DLCP, and filing follows the DLCP's channels.
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What is DPR-1?
DPR-1 Articles of Incorporation of Domestic Professional For-Profit Corporation is the District of Columbia form on which one or more incorporators adopt the articles that establish a new professional business corporation under Title 29 of the D.C. Code (Business Organizations Act).
The Corporations Division of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) issues it. The PDF has two parts: an instruction sheet, which you can use to draft your own articles, and a fillable Articles of Incorporation of Domestic Professional Corporation on page 3. The instruction sheet lists the authority for this entity type as § 29–506 and § 29–302.02.
What makes this form different from articles for an ordinary business corporation is its professional focus. The corporation name must contain and end with "professional corporation", "P.C.", "chartered" or "Chtd". The purpose line names the professional service to be rendered, and the articles must state that each original shareholder and director is licensed to render that service. The instruction sheet defines "professional service" as any type of personal service to the public, including services by certified public accountants, attorneys, architects, professional engineers, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and other health professionals as defined in the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985.
The form also asks for the number of authorized shares and their par value, a registered agent in the District, the shareholders, the people who own or control the corporation, optional miscellaneous provisions, and the incorporators' signatures.
Who needs to file DPR-1?
Incorporators who want to establish a new professional for-profit business corporation in the District of Columbia use Form DPR-1. One or more persons may act as incorporator, and each incorporator must sign and date the articles.
Conditions the form attaches to the corporation:
- Each original shareholder and director named in the articles must be licensed to render a professional service for which the corporation is organized, and the articles must say so.
- The corporation name must contain and end with "professional corporation", "P.C.", "chartered" or "Chtd", and may not contain "company", "incorporated", "corporation" or "limited", or an abbreviation of those words.
- The articles must name a registered agent with an address in the District of Columbia.
- The form asks for the names and addresses of every person who has an interest in or control over the corporation, as the instruction sheet describes in item 8.
The instruction sheet states that it establishes a new Business Corporation, so the form is used to create the corporation, not to amend or maintain an existing one.
When to file DPR-1
File Form DPR-1 when you are ready to establish the new professional corporation in the District of Columbia. The form prints no separate due date: the corporation is set up through these articles, so you file them whenever you want the corporation formed.
Before filing, have the shareholders' and directors' professional licensing in place, since the articles must state that each original shareholder and director is licensed for the professional service. The filing fee varies with the number of authorized shares, so settle the share count before you calculate payment; the DLCP's Corporate Fee Schedule is posted online. Processing time is not stated on the form or its instruction sheet.
Documents you need
- Optional statement of miscellaneous provisions: the form allows you to attach a statement for item 7 instead of writing the provisions in the space provided.
How to fill out DPR-1
Choose how to prepare your articles
Read the instruction sheet. You can draft your own articles from its list of required information, or complete the fillable Articles of Incorporation of Domestic Professional Corporation on page 3.
Enter the corporation name
Item 1: write the name so that it contains and ends with "professional corporation", "P.C.", "chartered" or "Chtd", and avoid "company", "incorporated", "corporation" and "limited".
State shares and par value
Item 2: enter the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue and the par value of each share.
Name the registered agent
Item 3: enter the registered agent's name and address in the District of Columbia.
Describe the professional service
Item 4: state the professional service the corporation will render. This field designates the professional services to be provided through the corporation.
List the shareholders
Item 5: enter the names and addresses of the shareholders. The instruction sheet asks for the original shareholders, including street address.
Confirm licensing
Item 6: this statement says each original shareholder and director named in the articles is licensed to render the professional service for which the corporation is organized.
Add miscellaneous provisions if needed
Item 7: include any optional provisions permitted by the instruction sheet, such as director liability limits or indemnification. You may attach a statement.
Identify owners and controlling persons
Item 8: state the names and addresses of each person with interest or control. The instruction sheet asks for residence and business addresses of those above 10 percent and of those at or below it who control decisions or direct daily operations.
Enter incorporators and sign
Enter each incorporator's name and address (labeled 8 on the form, item 9 on the instruction sheet), then each incorporator signs and dates in the 8A box.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the name ending, share details, registered agent and signatures. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit DPR-1
You can file Form DPR-1 by mail or online through the DLCP's CorpOnline site.
- By mail: send all forms and the required payment to Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division, PO Box 712300, Philadelphia, PA 19171-2300.
- Online: many corporate filings are available online. Go to https://corponline.dlcp.dc.gov and sign in with Access DC to proceed. Online filings are paid by credit card.
A filing fee applies and varies based on the number of authorized shares; the amount is in the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online by the DLCP. For questions, the Corporations Division lists the phone number (202) 442-4432.
Each incorporator must sign and date the articles before filing. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Naming the corporation without ending it in "professional corporation", "P.C.", "chartered" or "Chtd".
- Using the word "company", "incorporated", "corporation" or "limited", or an abbreviation of them, in the corporation name.
- Leaving out the number of authorized shares or the par value of each share, which also determines the filing fee.
- Giving a registered agent address outside the District of Columbia.
- Omitting the statement that each original shareholder and director is licensed to render the professional service.
- Listing only some owners in item 8: it covers anyone above 10 percent and anyone at or below 10 percent who controls decisions or directs day-to-day operations.
- Giving only a business address in item 8 when the instruction sheet asks for residence and business addresses.
- Leaving an incorporator's signature or date off the articles; each incorporator must sign and date.
- Mailing the form without the required payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form DPR-1 used for?
Form DPR-1 is the DLCP Corporations Division form for the articles of incorporation of a domestic professional for-profit corporation in the District of Columbia. Filing the articles establishes the new professional business corporation under Title 29 of the D.C. Code.
How must a professional corporation be named in DC?
The name must contain and end with "professional corporation", "P.C.", "chartered" or "Chtd". It may not contain "company", "incorporated", "corporation" or "limited", or an abbreviation of those words, according to the DPR-1 instruction sheet.
Do shareholders and directors have to be licensed?
Yes. Item 6 states that each original shareholder and director named in the articles is licensed to render a professional service for which the corporation is organized. The instruction sheet lists examples such as attorneys, architects, dentists and certified public accountants.
Where do I file Form DPR-1?
Mail it with payment to DLCP, Corporations Division, PO Box 712300, Philadelphia, PA 19171-2300, or file online at https://corponline.dlcp.dc.gov after signing in with Access DC. Online filings are paid by credit card.
Is there a filing fee for Form DPR-1?
Yes. The instruction sheet says the fee varies based on the number of authorized shares and refers to the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online by the DLCP. For questions, call the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4432.
What can go in the miscellaneous provisions section?
Optional provisions not inconsistent with law, such as the corporation's purposes, how its business and affairs are managed, limits on powers, shareholder liability for debts, bylaw-type provisions, director liability limits and indemnification. You may attach a statement.
Who must be listed in item 8 of the articles?
Each shareholder, director and officer whose direct or indirect ownership or distributional interest exceeds 10 percent, plus any person at or below 10 percent who controls financial or operational decisions or directs day-to-day operations. List residence and business addresses.
Can I fill out Form DPR-1 online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the DPR-1 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the articles with the DLCP; you file through the mail or CorpOnline channels.
What happens if I sign the articles with a false statement?
The form warns that signing means anyone who makes a false statement can be punished by criminal penalties under DCOC § 22-2405, including a fine and imprisonment of up to 180 days, or both.
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