Incorporating in the District of Columbia

For complete and current information concerning District of Columbia corporations you should go to the Secretary of the District of Columbia web site. The following is not an attempt to present all you need to know when forming a corporation in D.C. but rather to call your attention to just some of the basic information and requirements you may want to know as you submit information to form your corporation.

Following information is cited from the Secretary of the District of Columbia web site and District of Columbia Official Code. While we make every effort to ensure its accuracy, MaxFilings cannot and does not guarantee that all of the information is accurate or complete and/or current and it should therefore be independently verified.

D.C. corporation name:

The name of a D.C. corporation shall contain the word “corporation”, “company”, “incorporated”, or “limited”, or an abbreviation of one of those words. The corporation’s name cannot contain any word or phrase that indicates or implies it is organized for any purpose other than is set forth in its articles of incorporation. The name cannot be the same as, or deceptively similar to, the name of any domestic corporation or any corporation organized under an act of Congress authorizing the formation of corporations under District of Columbia laws, or any corporation created pursuant to a special act of Congress to transact business in the District of Columbia, or any foreign corporation authorized to transact business in the District of Columbia. The name cannot be the same as, or deceptively similar to, any name which is reserved in the manner provided for in District of Columbia laws. And the name cannot indicate, nor can any statement be made, that the corporation is organized under an act of Congress.

D.C. corporation board of directors:

A D.C. corporation’s business and affairs shall be managed by a board of directors, consisting of one or more individuals, the number being fixed by the bylaws, provided, however, that the number constituting the first board of directors shall be fixed by the articles of incorporation. Should the number of directors not be prescribed in the bylaws, it shall be the same number fixed in the articles of incorporation. Directors need not be shareholders in the corporation unless required by the articles of incorporation or bylaws. The articles of incorporation or bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.

D.C. corporation officers:

A D.C. corporation shall have a president and any other officers that may be prescribed in its bylaws. Officers shall be elected by the board of directors as prescribed by the bylaws. The corporation’s officers and agents shall have such authority and perform such duties in the managing the property and affairs of the corporation as prescribed in the bylaws, or as may be determined by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.

D.C. corporation shareholders’ and directors’ meetings:

Annual shareholders’ meetings of a D.C. corporation shall be held at such time as may be provided in the bylaws. Annual meetings can be held in or out of the District of Columbia as may be provided in the bylaws. In the absence of such a provision, all meetings shall be held at the corporation’s registered office.

Special shareholders’ meetings may be called by the president, the secretary, the board of directors, the holders of at least twenty percent of all the outstanding shares entitled to vote, or by such other officers or persons as may be provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. Special shareholders’ meetings can be held in or out of the District of Columbia as may be provided in the bylaws. In the absence of such a provision, all meetings shall be held at the corporation’s registered office.

Regular or special board of directors’ meetings may be held at such place, in or out of the District of Columbia, as may be provided in the bylaws or by resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, directors may participate in meetings by means any communication by which all members participating in the meeting can hear each other.

D.C. taxes:

Visit the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue web site.

D.C. Registered Agent:

D.C. corporations are required to have a registered agent in D.C. By having MaxFilings provide you with a professional registered agent, you can be assured that all legal documents, tax documents, annual reports, and correspondence with the state and regulatory agencies will be handled promptly, professionally, and efficiently.

Start forming your corporation now:

If you’re ready to form a D.C. corporation with MaxFilings, you can start entering your information now. You’re under no obligation, and there is no charge until you actually place your order

Incorporate in DC