Form GN-3, the Name Reservation Registration & Transfer Form, is issued by the Corporations Division of the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). It is used to reserve the name of a domestic filing entity or to transfer an existing name reservation to another person. People searching for a DC business license sometimes land here: this form applies for a Certificate of Name Reservation, not a license. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published by DLCP.
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What is GN-3?
GN-3 Name Reservation Registration & Transfer Form is the District of Columbia Corporations Division form used to reserve the name of a domestic filing entity, or to transfer an existing name reservation from one person to another.
The form is filed under Title 29 of the D.C. Code (Business Organizations Act); the entity type and authority printed on it are Domestic Filing Entity, § 29–103.03. By signing, the person listed applies for a Certificate of Name Reservation and submits the statement on the form.
A name reservation is valid for 120 days from the date of registration or from the date of the name transfer. The proposed name must include the appropriate corporate qualifiers for the entity type.
The form has five numbered items. Item 1 is the person reserving the name, item 2 that person's address, item 3 the proposed name, and item 4 a choice between Initial Reservation and Name Reservation Transfer. Items 4A and 4B apply only to transfers and name the new person and the new person's address. Item 5 is the signature.
A filing fee applies; the form directs you to the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online for the amount. The form reserves a name only. It is not a license application.
Who needs to file GN-3?
A person who wants to reserve the name of a domestic filing entity in the District of Columbia uses Form GN-3, marking Initial Reservation in item 4. The form is built around the person reserving the name, whose name and address go in items 1 and 2.
A person who already holds a name reservation and wants to pass it to someone else uses the same form, marking Name Reservation Transfer in item 4 and completing items 4A and 4B with the new person's name and address.
The form is limited to the domestic filing entity name; the entity type and authority printed on it are Domestic Filing Entity, § 29–103.03. The form does not describe who may sign on someone's behalf. It does warn that anyone who signs agrees that a person who makes a false statement can be punished by criminal penalties under DCOC § 22-2405.
When to file GN-3
File Form GN-3 when you want to reserve a domestic filing entity name, or when an existing reservation is to move to a new person. The form prints no due date of its own.
What the form does fix is the length of the reservation: it is valid for 120 days from the date of registration or from the date of the name transfer. A transfer therefore carries its own 120-day count from the transfer date, so plan the later entity filing within that window.
Documents you need
- Required payment of the filing fee, sent with the form when mailing it; the form refers you to the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online for the amount.
How to fill out GN-3
Confirm the form fits your purpose
Form GN-3 is for reserving a domestic filing entity name or transferring an existing reservation. The entity type and authority (Domestic Filing Entity, § 29–103.03) are pre-printed.
Enter the person reserving the name
Item 1: the name of the person reserving the name. Item 2: that person's address.
Write the proposed name
Item 3: enter the proposed name with the appropriate corporate qualifiers for the entity type.
Select the type of request
Item 4: choose Initial Reservation for a new reservation or Name Reservation Transfer to move an existing one to another person.
Complete the transfer details if needed
Only for a transfer, answer 4A with the name of the new person and 4B with the new person's address. Leave them blank for an initial reservation.
Read the penalty statement
The form states that signing means you agree anyone who makes a false statement can be punished by criminal penalties under DCOC § 22-2405.
Sign the form
Item 5: the person's signature.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that the name includes its qualifiers and that items 4A and 4B match your request type. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it with the required payment as described under How to submit.
How to submit GN-3
The form lists two routes: mail and the DLCP online site.
- By mail: send all forms and the required payment to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division, PO Box 712300, Philadelphia, PA 19171-2300. A filing fee applies; the form refers you to the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online for the amount.
- Online: the form states that many corporate filings are available online through the CorpOnline site at https://corponline.dlcp.dc.gov; sign in with Access DC to proceed. Online filings are paid by credit card.
- By phone: questions can go to the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4432.
Sign the form in item 5 before sending it. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the corporate qualifiers for the entity type in item 3; the form says the proposed name shall include the appropriate qualifiers.
- Completing items 4A and 4B on an initial reservation; they are for name reservation transfers only.
- Marking Name Reservation Transfer but leaving the new person's name or address in 4A and 4B blank.
- Mailing the form without the required payment; the form says to mail all forms and required payment together.
- Submitting the form unsigned; item 5 requires the person's signature.
- Assuming the reservation lasts longer than 120 days from registration or transfer.
- Sending the form to a street address instead of PO Box 712300, Philadelphia, PA 19171-2300 when filing by mail.
- Signing a statement you know to be false; the form warns of criminal penalties under DCOC § 22-2405.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form GN-3 used for?
Form GN-3 is used to reserve a domestic filing entity name with the DC Corporations Division, or to transfer an existing name reservation from one person to another. By signing, the person applies for a Certificate of Name Reservation.
Is Form GN-3 a DC business license?
No. The form applies for a Certificate of Name Reservation, which holds an entity name. Anyone looking for a DC business license should check the DLCP website, since this form reserves a name only.
How long does a name reservation last?
A name reservation is valid for 120 days from the date of registration or from the date of the name transfer, as the form states. The form prints no renewal procedure.
Can I transfer a name reservation to someone else?
Yes. Mark Name Reservation Transfer in item 4 and answer 4A and 4B with the new person's name and address. The form says the 120-day validity runs from the date of the name transfer.
Where do I mail Form GN-3?
Mail the form and the required payment to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division, PO Box 712300, Philadelphia, PA 19171-2300. The phone number printed on the form is (202) 442-4432.
Is there a fee to reserve a name in DC?
Yes, a filing fee applies. The form refers you to the Corporate Fee Schedule posted online for the amount. Online filings through CorpOnline are paid by credit card.
Can I fill out Form GN-3 online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, does not file with DLCP and does not accept payment; you submit the form through DLCP's channels.
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