Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name. The Basic Business License is issued in the registered trade name, so register it first.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 1 of 6: Set up the business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division.
Sources and dates
DLCP Corporations Division fees page; D.C. Code 47-2855.02. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Yes. Needed whenever a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation trades under any name other than its legal name.
Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division.
Step 1 of 6, set up the business. It is the first step.
Who needs a trade name registration (DBA) in District of Columbia?
