7 Best Registered Agent Services in Washington DC (2023)

Hiring a registered agent service is key to successfully starting your Washington D.C., business. The right registered agent will ensure that you are complying with local regulations to keep you compliant.

To save valuable time to put into your business, we have researched and studied over 60 registered agent services and narrowed it down to the 7 best options.

In cooperation with our experienced legal team, we evaluated these Washington D.C. registered agent services by assessing customer support, price, turnaround time, and more.

Read on to find out the best-registered agent service in Washington D.C. that you can hire today.

The 7 Best Washington D.C. Registered Agent Services (May 2023)

1 - Northwest Registered Agent

Would you recommend Northwest Registered Agent?

Northwest Registered Agent has over 20 years of experience in LLC formation and registered agent service.

They provide some of the most secure services as well as excellent customer service.

They will provide you with a registered agent's address located in Washington D.C., to receive all essential information.

Northwest Registered Agent also provides compliance alerts, annual report filing deadline alerts, a system that is simple to use, and a team of registered agents who’ve had experience working as lawyers and accountants.

As per our experience with Northwest Registered Agent, we can say that we were satisfied. We never encountered delays in getting a response or being transferred to another representative.

The team of registered agents was consistently accessible to provide us with guidance on filing the necessary paperwork and addressing any queries we had.

Their customer support rendered was commendable, and we found their interface user-friendly.

Additionally, Northwest Registered Agent offered valuable insights on ensuring that our LLC remained compliant with Arizona's regulations.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($125): Includes Washington DC registered agent services for free during the first year if you opt for Northwest Registered Agent to form your LLC.
• Basic Package ($39 + $200 State Fee): This Northwest Registered Agent package includes a Washington DC LLC, an LLC operating agreement, a membership certificate, and a free registered agent for a year (if you opt for Northwest Registered Agent).
• Formation Package ($225 + $200 State Fee): Same business day filing is included in this package, next to free limited mail forwarding and operating agreement.

Sign Up To Northwest Registered Agent

2 - ZenBusiness

Would you recommend ZenBusiness?

ZenBusiness primarily focuses on LLC formation than registered agent services; however, they do have registered agents.

ZenBusiness comes equipped with excellent customer service, worry-free compliance, and various other services.

This District Columbia registered agent service provides another useful feature for entrepreneurs, a set of notifications that help keep track of deadlines for periodic filings.

Their customer support was prompt, extremely helpful, and thoroughly clarified crucial legal questions we were curious about.

Before submitting our LLC registration application in Washington DC, ZenBusiness conducted a name availability search to ensure that the entity name we selected was available.

We were impressed with the competitive pricing and fast turnaround times of ZenBusiness's registered agent services in Arizona, and our overall experience with their services was positive.

We also recommend ZenBusiness's registered agent services in Washington to other entrepreneurs.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($199): Includes a Washington DC registered agent, online document access, and expert customized support.
• ZenBusiness Starter Package ($0 + $200 State Fee): The standard filing speed (2 to 3 weeks) applies while the Starter Washington DC subscription covers the standard corporate filing service, which covers name availability search capabilities and access to your files via the ZenBusiness site.
• ZenBusiness Pro Package ($199 + $200 State Fee): ZenBusiness Pro offers additional faster-expedited filling speed (4 to 6 days), financial reports, employment ID number generation, and compliance reviews and alerts.
• ZenBusiness Premium Package ($299 + $200 State Fee): This LLC formation membership plan features the platform's services, fastest rush filling speed (1-2 days), customizable business website, and ready-to-use business e-mail address.

Sign Up To ZenBusiness

3 - IncFile

Would you recommend IncFile?

Incfile is one of the most popular Washington DC LLC formation services.

One of the perks of choosing IncFile is that their basic and standard registered agent packages come with additional complementary services that other providers typically charge for.

However, it's important to note that their basic package doesn't include an operating agreement.

At IncFile, their customer support team is attentive and committed to addressing any client inquiries promptly.

You can seek assistance through your Washington statutory agent dashboard if you have any questions.

They prioritize a user-friendly interface to make it easy for customers to order their registered agent service.

Overall, our experience with them was extremely positive. We were impressed with the affordability of their registered agent service, which was lower than we anticipated.

Their customer support team was knowledgeable and eager to answer all of our questions.

They also provide a registered agent dashboard which allows you to track and access essential documents and alert you on compliance status.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($119): This service comes with a personalized Dashboard that enables instant access to online documents. With the Formation package, this service can be free for the first year.
• Silver Formation Package ($0 + $200 State Fee): Includes free registered agent service for 12 months, unlimited name searches, as well as unlimited phone and email support.
• Gold Formation Package ($199 + $200 State Fee): Gold LLC Package includes everything from the Silver package plus an LLC kit with a stamping seal and binder, an employee identification number, an operating agreement, express LLC filing, and a contract library. An EIN is also included.
• Platinum LLC Formation Package ($299 + $200 State Fee): Platinum Plan includes everything from the previous two packages plus a business domain and website, expedited delivery, and a Platinum LLC Kit, which includes everything from the Gold Kit and domain name and a business email.

Sign Up To IncFile

4 - Rocket Lawyer

Would you recommend Rocket Lawyer?

Rocket Lawyer is known for providing legal services and support to business owners. They have helped form over 800,000 businesses and provide registered agent services.

Their business bundle plan also includes a free registered agent for a year.

They offer many different a la carte services, such as legal questions to a lawyer, a 30-minute legal consultation, document defense, legal document creation, and more.

It's worth noting that they also offer a free app for both Android and iPhone, which is a great feature.

We found the app easy to download and use, and it allowed us to create various legal documents with a straightforward interface that simplified the process significantly.

We appreciate the prompt and professional responses from their specialists.

Overall, Rocket Lawyer is an excellent option to consider for registered agent services in Washington DC in 2023 due to their convenient features.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($149.99): You can enjoy the lower price of this service if you choose the membership option. For $39.99 monthly you can get a 25% discount (this is an option for only members).
• Formation Package ($99.99 + $200 State Fee): This package includes free LLC formation services, free legal documents, and attorney services which come in extra handy if you are just stepping into business waters.

Sign Up To Rocket Lawyer

5 - MyCompanyWorks

Would you recommend MyCompanyWorks?

MyCompanyWorks, formerly known as My New Company, has helped form over 60,000 businesses so far.

Customers often compliment their quick and easy process for Washington DC LLC formation service.

They also offer a free business tax consultation, unlimited name searches, compliance alerts, online access to documents, and more.

We put them to the test and we are very pleased with the results.

Their customer service is readily available via phone and email, and they promptly responded to our inquiry by providing us with several links to their website that elaborated on their response.

The application process is straightforward and swift once you've selected a package and any add-ons your business requires. If you have all the necessary information, it should take no more than 10-15 minutes.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Services ($99 per year): Includes a Washington DC registered agent, online document access, and expert customized support.
• Basic Formation Package ($59 + $200 State Fee): Includes a business entity name search, District of Columbia LLC filing, business meeting minutes, an LLC checklist, Ebooks, digital documents, and operating agreements.
• Entrepreneur Formation Package ($179 + $200 State Fee): Entrepreneur Package includes everything from the basic package plus registered agent services, an EIN, and lifetime access to online forms.
• Complete Formation Package ($279 + $200 State Fee): Complete Package includes everything from the previous package and adds the Premium upgrade, which provides for annual report filing, compliance checks, and business monitoring for good standing.

Sign Up To MyCompanyWorks

6 - Harbor Compliance

Would you recommend Harbor Compliance?

Harbor Compliance is a well-respected expert firm that can provide you with compliance services to keep your business in good standing and perform the traditional duties of a commercial registered agent.

They offer a program designed to assist businesses in monitoring critical annual report deadlines and quickly identifying where they are registered to operate.

We were genuinely impressed with this program, and they even provided us with a 10 percent discount when we purchased an additional service.

Harbor Compliance is an excellent option if you want to launch your business quicker. Their fast response times make it easy to get up and running in no time.

If you opt to work with Harbor Compliance, they will assign you a friendly compliance specialist who will handle the setup of your LLC and address any questions you may have about your business.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($89 to $99): This service includes same-day delivery of documents and immediate access to the registered agent's physical address.
• Formation Package($99 + $200 State Fee): This registered agent service bundle comes with a year of free registered agent service, articles of incorporation, an operating agreement, an EIN, and a name search.

Sign Up To Harbor Compliance

7 - LegalZoom

Would you recommend LegalZoom?

LegalZoom recognizes the importance of comprehensive legal coverage for every corporation, which is why they provide a team of impartial lawyers to offer the necessary support.

Our experience with LegalZoom was very good. We found their customer service to be very knowledgeable, and they offer more generous support contact hours compared to their competitors.

Their do-it-yourself site is user-friendly, offering a simple and effective interaction from start to finish. Although LegalZoom charges more than its competitors, its established reputation and expertise may make you feel more at ease using its service.

However, they are very pricey, and their LLC formation packages don’t include registered agent services, which means you’ll have to purchase the service as an add-on.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($299/Year): The cost of their LLC formation service is $249 for the first year, and thereafter there is a renewal fee of $299. This service package includes valuable features, such as a 1 million-dollar identity theft protection coverage, unlimited online storage, notifications on important emails, and a Compliance calendar.
• Basic LLC Formation Package ($0 + $200 State Fee): This package offers a comprehensive suite of services including a business name lookup feature, a website powered by WIX, articles of organization, and a digital onboarding kit.
• Pro LLC Formation Package ($249 + $200 State Fee): The package includes all the functionalities available in the Basic package plus an Employer Identification Number, initial sessions for tax and insurance consultation, an operational agreement, and an in-depth guide on acquiring business licenses.
• Premium LLC Formation Package ($299 + $200 State Fee): The package comprises all the features that come with the Pro package. Moreover, you will receive a 30-minute infinite consultation with a qualified attorney and updated LLC formation documents during the first 90-day subscription period. Additionally, a proficient business lawyer will provide you with a practical and personalized LLC formation guide.

Sign Up To LegalZoom

The Benefits Of Working With A Registered Agent In Washington D.C.

Choosing the best registered agent service can benefit you in the following ways [1]:

1. Privacy

When you form an LLC, your data goes into a state database that is viewable by the public.

This information includes a business name, formation date, registered agent name, and DC registered agent's physical street address.

Using a premium registered agent service, you can keep your name and address confidential [2].

2. Legal Documents

Another benefit is that any legal documents will be delivered to the registered agent's address instead of you personally.

If someone brings a lawsuit against your company, it is less stressful having a professional registered agent service handle the paperwork.

3. Compliance

Another benefit of using the best registered agent is that they will keep you compliant. Certain states require annual reports to be filed, and dates are quickly forgotten.

Your Washington D.C. registered agent will remind you that paperwork needs to be completed, and they can provide you with the proper forms.

4. Less Stress

With a commercial registered agent, you can have peace of mind to focus your time and energy on your business.

Complying with regulations can take a lot of time and require you to fill out lengthy forms. To save valuable time, allow a registered agent to handle your paperwork.

5. Flexibility

A Washington DC registered agent will allow you to choose your business hours. Registered agents have to be available during typical business hours from 8 am until 5 pm daily.

If you need to be your own registered agent, your business has to be open during these hours, which can be problematic for certain companies.

6. Business In Another State

If you are doing business in a different state than where you reside, having a registered agent is necessary.

State law mandates your company be incorporated where your business entity is located. You can live and do business in separate states using a registered agent.

7. Prevent Having To Change Your Address

The registered agent's physical address must remain current on file. If you need to be your own registered agent, you would have to change the address on file anytime you move.

If you use a registered agent service for your business entity, you never have to worry about changing the address on file.

How Much Does Registered Agent Service Cost in Washington DC?

Most registered agent services in Washington DC cost between $100 and $300 per year.

What Are The Requirements For A Washington D.C Registered Agent?

The requirements for a Washington DC registered agent include being over the age of 18, having a street address in Washington DC, and being physically present during normal business hours.

Our Selection Process

We used three main criteria to evaluate Washington DC registered agent companies, and these included price, turnaround, and support.

1. Price

Price and overall value can vary widely from service to service. We chose our top seven registered agents based on the value they provide for the price.

We selected Washington D.C. registered agent providers that give you the most features available on the market for the money.

2. Turnaround Time

Turnaround time is vital when starting an LLC in Washington DC. You won't need to wait weeks or months to create your District of Columbia LLC with a registered agent. You want a registered agent that works quickly and efficiently.

We tested the services of all the registered agents on our list only to choose those with the fastest turnaround times. We chose registered agent services that had a turnaround time between one and five days.

3. Support

We examined the customer support of each Washington DC registered agent. A registered agent should have responsive customer support.

To choose the services with the best support, we contacted representatives at each service, made basic inquiries, and noted their response time and efficiency.

We chose only the registered agents that had excellent response times and knowledgeable representatives.

See also our article on how much does an LLC cost in Washington D.C.

FAQs

What Is the Best Columbia Registered Agent Service for You?

Choosing the best registered agent can have many benefits for your business, including flexibility, privacy, saving valuable time to focus on your business, and more.

Among the registered agent services in Washington DC, these seven companies stood out for their pricing value, turnaround, and customer support.

After detailed research, we recommend Northwest Registered Agent as the best agent in Washington, DC.

Not only do they provide the best price with their registered agent service by including it in their base package for LLC formation, but they also have over 20 years of experience in the industry, high-quality customer support, a user-friendly system, and a team of experienced registered agents that are previous lawyers and accountants.