District of Columbia Biennial Report and Registered Agent Rules for LLCs in 2026
District of Columbia Biennial Report and Registered Agent Rules for LLCs in 2026
District of Columbia LLC compliance has two pieces owners should think about together:
- the BRA-25 Biennial Report
- the requirement to maintain a valid DC registered agent
The District’s own guidance connects the two, because the biennial report is one of the main times businesses update their registered-agent information.
What is the DC BRA-25 Biennial Report?
The District’s Corporations Division says the BRA-25 Biennial Report is the report entities file periodically to maintain active status.
The District also says the report lets an entity update:
- its address
- registered-agent information
- purpose
- and beneficial owner information
So this is not just a status check box. It is also a public-record maintenance filing.
When is the DC biennial report due?
According to the District’s FAQ, an entity’s first biennial report is due by April 1 of the very next calendar year after it registers, and then by April 1 every two years after that.
That means the filing schedule is not based on the month the LLC was formed. It is based on a next-calendar-year trigger and then a two-year cycle.
What does the filing cost in 2026?
The DC LLC fee page lists:
- $300 for the biennial report
- $100 late fee for a late biennial report
Those numbers apply to both domestic and foreign limited liability companies on the published LLC fee schedule.
Why the registered-agent record matters so much in DC
The District says all domestic and foreign filing entities are required to appoint and maintain a registered agent.
The FAQ explains that the registered agent’s job includes forwarding:
- process, notice, or demand served on the agent
- notices required by the Business Organizations Act
- trade-name renewal notices
- other government correspondence
That makes the registered agent more than a mailbox. It is part of the entity’s legal notice system.
Who can serve as a registered agent in the District?
DC says a registered agent can be either:
- a commercial registered agent
- or a noncommercial registered agent
The FAQ also says the agent may be:
- an individual or domestic or foreign entity serving as agent for service of process
- an individual holding office within the entity
- or a member in good standing of the DC Bar who maintains an office in the District
If a person or entity represents more than 50 entities as a registered agent, DC says that person or entity must become a commercial registered agent by filing an RA-1.
What address rules apply?
DC’s FAQ says the registered agent’s address must be a physical street address in the District of Columbia.
The address may not be:
- a PO box
- a third-party mailbox such as UPS or FedEx
- or an address outside the District
That rule is easy to overlook for remote-first businesses trying to use a mailing service instead of a real DC street presence.
What happens if an LLC fails to maintain a registered agent?
DC says an entity’s status may be revoked if it fails to maintain a registered agent for more than 60 days.
That is one reason the biennial report and registered-agent review should be handled together. A stale agent record can become an entity-status problem, not just an administrative inconvenience.
Can the biennial report update registered-agent information?
Yes. The District explicitly says the BRA-25 lets an entity update registered-agent information.
That said, owners should not assume the biennial report is the right time to wait if the agent record is already wrong. If the registered agent has changed, file the needed update promptly rather than leaving a broken public record in place until the next report cycle.
DC compliance example
If an LLC registered in the District on September 20, 2025, its first biennial report would be due by April 1, 2026.
Its next report would then generally be due by April 1, 2028.
If that LLC also changed registered agents in early 2026, the owner should review whether the public record was updated correctly before filing the 2026 report.
District of Columbia 2026 checklist
- [ ] Confirm the LLC’s DC registration date.
- [ ] Determine whether a BRA-25 is due by April 1, 2026.
- [ ] Budget $300 for the report and avoid the $100 late fee.
- [ ] Verify the registered agent is still valid and available.
- [ ] Confirm the registered-agent address is a real DC street address.
- [ ] Use the filing to review address, purpose, and beneficial-owner information.
FAQ
When is a DC LLC biennial report due?
The first report is due by April 1 of the next calendar year after registration, and then by April 1 every two years after that.
How much is the DC LLC biennial report fee?
The District’s LLC fee page lists a $300 biennial-report fee and a $100 late fee.
Does every DC LLC need a registered agent?
Yes. The District says all domestic and foreign filing entities must appoint and maintain a registered agent.
Can a PO box be used for the DC registered-agent address?
No. The District says the registered-agent address must be a physical street address in DC and may not be a PO box or third-party mailbox.
What happens if a business does not maintain a registered agent?
DC says the entity’s status may be revoked if it fails to maintain a registered agent for more than 60 days.
Final takeaway
DC LLC compliance in 2026 is not just about remembering a report. It is about using the BRA-25 and the registered-agent record together to keep the entity active, reachable, and accurate.
If your LLC is on the clock for an April 1, 2026 report, that filing is the right time to confirm the District can still reach your business through a valid in-District registered agent.
Rapid Registered Agent can help if you need a stable DC registered-agent presence rather than relying on a changing internal contact.
Source Notes
- DC Corporations Division FAQ:
https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/corporations-division-business-registration-faqs - DC general forms page:
https://dlcp.dc.gov/node/1622076 - DC LLC fee page:
https://dlcp.dc.gov/node/1621921 - DC corporate registration details:
https://dlcp.dc.gov/node/1620566