Form DLC-1, Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company, is the document that establishes a new limited liability company (LLC) in the District of Columbia. It is filed with the Corporations Division of the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). One or more organizers use it to state the company name, principal office, registered agent, effective date and the people who own or control the company. On this page you can fill out Form DLC-1 online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published by DLCP.
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What is DLC-1?
Form DLC-1, Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company, is the Corporations Division form that establishes a new limited liability company (LLC) in the District of Columbia when it is filed with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
The PDF has two parts. Page 1 is an instruction sheet for drafting your own articles of organization; page 2 is the form itself, which you may use instead. The filing authority printed on the instruction sheet is D.C. Code § 29–802.01 and § 29-102.01, and the organizers adopt the articles under Title 29 of the D.C. Code (Business Organizations Act).
The articles contain eight items:
- the company name;
- the street address of the initial principal office;
- the registered agent's name and address in the District of Columbia;
- a statement that the LLC has at least one member;
- the effective date;
- miscellaneous provisions, including series LLC language and the professional service description for a professional limited liability company (PLLC);
- the names, residence addresses and business addresses of the members and managers with ownership or control, as item 7 defines them;
- the organizer's name, address, signature and date.
A filing fee applies; the instruction sheet refers you to the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online and gives no amount. Signing the form means you agree that anyone who makes a false statement can be punished by criminal penalties, including imprisonment up to 180 days, under DCOC § 22-2405.
Who needs to file DLC-1?
The organizers of a new domestic limited liability company in the District of Columbia use Form DLC-1. The form says one or more persons acting as organizers adopt the articles under Title 29 of the D.C. Code (Business Organizations Act), and an organizer signs item 8A. The instruction sheet lets you either draft your own articles from its list of items or use the form on page 2.
Conditions that change how you complete it:
- Professional limited liability company (PLLC): the name must contain "professional limited liability company" or the abbreviation "P.L.L.C." or "PLLC", and item 6 must describe the professional service. The service must be a personal service to the public that may be lawfully rendered only under a license, such as services of certified public accountants, attorneys, architects, health professionals and professional engineers.
- Series LLC: if the company will have one or more series treated as separate entities under § 29-802.06, item 6 must include a statement to that effect.
- Owners and controllers: item 7 requires the name, residence address and business address of each member or manager above the ownership threshold, or at or below it if the person controls financial or operational decisions or directs day-to-day operations.
The form is for a domestic LLC and requires at least one member.
When to file DLC-1
File Form DLC-1 when you are ready to establish a new LLC in the District of Columbia; the form prints no separate filing deadline. What it does control is the date the articles take effect. Under item 5 you may choose the current date or a date up to 90 days in advance, but not a date in the past. If you select no date, the filing date becomes the effective date. Because the effective date is set on the form itself, decide it before you sign item 8A and send the filing.
How to fill out DLC-1
Enter the company name
Item 1: write the full name of the LLC. It must contain "limited liability company", "limited company" or the abbreviation L.L.C., LLC, L.C. or LC; for a PLLC use "professional limited liability company", P.L.L.C. or PLLC.
Enter the principal office address
Item 2: give the street address of the initial principal office of the company.
Name the registered agent
Item 3: enter the registered agent's name and address in the District of Columbia.
Confirm the member statement
Item 4 states that the limited liability company has at least one member. Confirm that this is true before you file.
Set the effective date
Item 5: enter the date the articles take effect, from the current date up to 90 days ahead and not in the past. If you select no date, the filing date becomes the effective date.
Add miscellaneous provisions
Item 6: add optional provisions. Include the series LLC statement if the company will have series under § 29-802.06, and for a PLLC include the specific professional service.
List owners and controllers
Item 7: enter the name and addresses of each member and manager with the ownership or control described in the instruction sheet, including residence and business addresses.
Enter the organizer's details
Item 8: write the organizer's name and address.
Sign and date item 8A
The organizer signs and dates item 8A. Signing means you agree that anyone who makes a false statement can be punished under DCOC § 22-2405.
Review and download the PDF
Check each of the eight items, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and file it through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit DLC-1
You can file Form DLC-1 online through CorpOnline or by mail to the DLCP Corporations Division.
- Online: many corporate filings are available at https://corponline.dlcp.dc.gov; sign in with Access DC to proceed. Online filings are paid by credit card.
- 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.
- By phone: questions go to the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4432.
A filing fee applies. The instruction sheet points to the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online for the current amount and does not print it, so check that schedule before you pay. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a company name without "limited liability company", "limited company" or an abbreviation such as LLC, L.L.C., L.C. or LC; a PLLC must use "professional limited liability company" or P.L.L.C./PLLC.
- Forming a PLLC without describing the specific professional service in item 6.
- Choosing an effective date in item 5 that is in the past or more than 90 days ahead; the date must be the current date or up to 90 days in advance.
- Giving a registered agent address outside the District of Columbia in item 3, which asks for the agent's name and address in the District.
- Leaving out a person in item 7 who holds 10 percent or less but controls financial or operational decisions or directs day-to-day operations.
- Omitting the series LLC statement from item 6 when the company will have one or more series treated as separate entities.
- Submitting the form without the organizer's signature and date in item 8A.
- Mailing the form without the required payment, or to an address other than PO Box 712300, Philadelphia, PA 19171-2300.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form DLC-1 used for?
Form DLC-1 is the Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company. Organizers file it with the DLCP Corporations Division to establish a new LLC in the District of Columbia, stating the name, principal office, registered agent, effective date and owners.
Is Form DLC-1 the same as a DC business license?
No. Form DLC-1 establishes the LLC itself through articles of organization filed with the Corporations Division, and the form does not describe itself as a license or permit. For license questions, ask DLCP; the Corporations Division number on the form is (202) 442-4432.
Can I file Form DLC-1 online?
Yes. The instruction sheet says many corporate filings are available on CorpOnline at https://corponline.dlcp.dc.gov, where you sign in with Access DC. Online filings are paid by credit card. You can also mail the form with payment.
Where do I mail Form DLC-1?
Mail the form and the required payment to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division, PO Box 712300, Philadelphia, PA 19171-2300. Questions can go to the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4432.
How far ahead can I set the effective date on Form DLC-1?
Up to 90 days in advance. Under item 5 the date must be the current date or a future date within 90 days, never a past date. If you select no date, the filing date becomes the effective date.
Who must be listed in item 7 of Form DLC-1?
Each member and manager whose direct or indirect ownership of a governance or total distributional interest exceeds 10 percent. A person at 10 percent or less is also listed if they control financial or operational decisions or direct day-to-day operations.
What must the LLC name include on Form DLC-1?
Item 1 requires "limited liability company", "limited company" or an abbreviation: L.L.C., LLC, L.C. or LC. A professional LLC must instead use "professional limited liability company" or P.L.L.C. or PLLC, and describe the professional service in item 6.
Is there a filing fee for Form DLC-1?
Yes. The instruction sheet refers you to the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online and does not print the amount. Check that schedule for the current figure. Online filings are paid by credit card; mailed filings go with the required payment.
Can I fill out Form DLC-1 online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not affiliated with DLCP, and does not file the articles; you submit them through CorpOnline or by mail to the Corporations Division.
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