Washington, DC has no Secretary of State handling company records. Proof of standing comes from the Corporations Division of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), and the request is made online in BOSS, the system that replaced CorpOnline.
DLCP gives the document two names: a certificate of good standing, or a status certificate. They are the same thing. Use whichever wording your bank or the other state asked for. The District of Columbia office guide covers DLCP's other filings.
The $50 DC certificate
DLCP charges $50 for a certificate of good standing. The request goes through BOSS, which DLCP says takes corporate registration work online at any hour.
| What the state calls it | Certificate of good standing or status certificate (dlcp.dc.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $50 (dlcp.dc.gov, checked ) |
| Where to order | boss.dc.gov (dlcp.dc.gov, checked ) |
No expedite option appears on the DLCP fee pages, and DLCP does not publish a processing time. Order as soon as you know a lender or agency wants the certificate, not the week of the deadline.
Requesting it in BOSS
- Check the company's record first, either in BOSS or on the open data list described below.
- Confirm that your latest biennial report is on file and that no late fee is open.
- Sign in to BOSS and request the certificate of good standing.
- Pay the $50 fee.
- Save the certificate and note the date it was issued.
Ask the person who wants the certificate whether they need the wording good standing or status. DLCP issues the same proof under both names.
The biennial report keeps the record current
DC companies file a report every two years, not every year. A for-profit LLC or corporation pays $300. A nonprofit pays $80. The report counts as late if it reaches DLCP after April 1 of the year it is due.
Late filing adds a fee: $100 for a for-profit company and $50 for a nonprofit. DLCP does not publish definitions for the status words in BOSS, so the safest reading is simple. If a report is missing or late, file it first, pay the late fee, and then ask for the certificate. The certificate reflects the record as it stands on the day it is issued.
A free check before you pay
The District publishes its list of registered companies on its open data hub. It refreshes every morning and shows each company's status, registration date and registered agent. It is a quick way to see what DLCP holds before you spend $50. It is not certified, though, so anyone relying on your standing will still want the certificate.
Who asks for a DC certificate
Banks ask for one when you open an account or borrow. Other states want it when your DC company registers with them as a foreign entity. Our certificate of good standing guide explains what each one checks.
Sources
- dlcp.dc.gov/node/1621921: good standing certificate, certificate fee. Checked .
- dlcp.dc.gov/node/1614386: certificate ordering. Checked .