As of 2026-07-23 · verified against primary sources
District of Columbia charitable solicitation registration: requirements, fees, and deadlines
| Registration | Required |
| Agency | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) |
| Initial fee | $99 |
| Renewal fee | $99 |
| Renewal / report due | every 24 months from the registration's effective date |
| Filing channel | Electronic filing available |
Who must register
District of Columbia generally requires charitable organizations to register with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) before soliciting contributions there, unless an exemption applies. Requirements attach to out-of-state charities soliciting District of Columbia residents as well as local ones.
D.C. Code § 44-1703(a) · official source
Exemptions we check for
Likely exempt if it solicits solely for a church or religious corporation (or an entity supervised and controlled by one) holding an IRC § 501 tax exemption — outside DC's registration requirement entirely (D.C. Code § 44-1703(b)); self-executing, with an optional affidavit of religious exemption accepted in lieu of registration.
D.C. Code § 44-1703(b) verbatim in md-dc-primary-sources.md (exemption lives only while the § 501 exemption is in effect). Optional affidavit: § 47-2851.04(g…
Likely exempt if it raises no more than $25,000 in a calendar year (a cap that CPI-adjusts upward every October 1) — DC exempts such solicitation under Mayor's regulation, claimed through the $0 'Charitable Exempt' basic business license (D.C. Code § 44-1703(d)).
D.C. Code § 44-1703(d) (D.C. Law 21-202, eff. 2017-02-18) · a filing is required to claim this exemption
The state, not Steadworthy, decides whether an exemption applies.
Is your charity registered in District of Columbia? Check free.
Citations
- D.C. Code § 44-1703(a) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- BBL regime, D.C. Code § 47-2851.01 et seq.; Charitable Solicitation license via My DC Business Center. Prerequisites: DC entity filing, OTR tax registration … · source · verified 2026-07-23
- DLCP practice · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Same $99 per 2-year renewal (§ 47-2851.04(b) tiers; DLCP schedule). Lapse penalties § 47-2851.10: <=30 days $75; 31 days-6 months $150; >6 months $350 + rein… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- BBL periods · source · verified 2026-07-23
- My DC Business Center (mybusiness.dc.gov) online, or in person at 1100 4th St SW. Required uploads: Charitable Services worksheet, IRS determination letter, … · source · verified 2026-07-23
- D.C. Code § 44-1703(b) verbatim in md-dc-primary-sources.md (exemption lives only while the § 501 exemption is in effect). Optional affidavit: § 47-2851.04(g… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- D.C. Code § 44-1703(d) (D.C. Law 21-202, eff. 2017-02-18) · source · verified 2026-07-23
Statuses and requirements reflect public records and cited sources as of the dates shown. Informational, not legal advice.