Washington, D.C. Entity Name Reservation: Forms, Fees, and Filing Steps

Reserving a name in Washington, D.C. gives you time to prepare formation documents while protecting the business name you want. The District's Corporations Division handles these filings through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), and the correct form depends on whether you are reserving a name for a domestic filing entity or registering a name for a foreign filing entity.

What a name reservation does

A name reservation is a temporary hold on a business name. It is useful when you have settled on a name but are not ready to file articles of organization, articles of incorporation, or another formation document yet.

A reservation can help you:

• secure a preferred name while finalizing ownership, management, or tax decisions
• coordinate branding, website, and banking work before filing
• reduce the risk that another filer takes the name while you are still preparing documents

A reservation is not the same thing as forming a business. It does not create an LLC, corporation, or other entity, and it does not replace any required formation filing.

Domestic vs. foreign filing entities

DC uses different forms for domestic and foreign entities:

The form choice matters. Filing the wrong one can delay your launch and may require submitting a new request.

Domestic filing entity: GN-3

Use GN-3 if you want to reserve a name for a domestic filing entity in the District. The DLCP form also allows transfer of an existing reservation to another person.

The proposed name should include the proper corporate qualifier for the type of entity you plan to form. For example, the name should be clearly identifiable as an LLC, corporation, or other entity type when required by law.

Foreign filing entity: GN-4

Use GN-4 if your entity was formed outside the District and you need to register or renew the name in DC. The current DLCP form states that name registration is valid for one year from the date of registration or renewal, and it may be renewed for successive one-year periods.

Filing steps

The exact filing path depends on your entity type, but the process is straightforward.

1. Confirm that the name is available and meets DC naming rules.
2. Complete the correct form, GN-3 or GN-4.
3. Include the required entity and contact information.
4. File through DLCP's CorpOnline portal or submit the paperwork by mail if that is the route available to you.
5. Pay the applicable filing fee.
6. Save the confirmation and track the expiration date.

If you are still deciding on an entity type, reserve the name only after you know whether you are forming a domestic entity or qualifying a foreign one. That choice determines which form and timing rules apply.

Fees and timing

DLCP's fee schedule changes over time, so always check the current fee page before filing. As of the current schedule, many domestic reservation filings are $50, while foreign name registration or renewal is $200.

Timing is different as well:

• Domestic reservation or transfer: 120 days
• Foreign name registration or renewal: 1 year, with renewals allowed for additional one-year periods

Because the reservation period is limited, it is best to time the filing so the name stays protected through the rest of your formation process.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few avoidable issues show up often in name reservation filings:

• using the wrong form for the entity type
• forgetting the required corporate qualifier in the proposed name
• assuming a reservation is the same as registration to do business
• waiting too long and letting the reservation expire before formation
• confusing entity name reservation with trade name registration

That last point matters. An entity name reservation protects the name of the legal entity you are forming. A trade name is a separate filing and serves a different purpose.

When to reserve a name

You usually want to reserve a name when you have already decided on the brand but are not ready to file the entity yet. Common situations include:

• you are still drafting an operating agreement or bylaws
• you are waiting on co-founder approvals or investor paperwork
• you need time to line up a registered agent, formation documents, or tax setup
• you want to make sure your launch materials are aligned before filing

If your formation timeline is short, you may not need a reservation at all. In that case, it can be more efficient to move directly to the formation filing.

How Zenind can help

Zenind helps business owners keep formation work organized and on schedule. If you are starting an LLC or corporation in Washington, D.C., a streamlined workflow can make it easier to:

• prepare the right filing documents
• track name availability and expiration dates
• avoid missed deadlines
• move from reservation to formation without unnecessary delays

For founders who want a cleaner filing process, name reservation is often the first step in a larger formation timeline.

Official forms and resources

• GN-3 Name Reservation Registration & Transfer Form
• GN-4 Name Registration & Renewal Form
• DLCP Corporate Filing Fees

Before filing, review the current DLCP instructions and fee schedule so your reservation matches your entity type and launch plan.