Service of Process

The Corporations Division Program Manager serves as a Superintendent of Corporations and in that capacity acts as the Mayor’s Agent for Service of Process for businesses that are defunct, or fail to maintain an agent in the District or are operating in the District.

What is Service of Process?

Service of Process is a legal process: legal orders, demands, notices, or other papers about court proceedings in the District of Columbia are served on an individual or organization.

When and Why to Serve the Superintendent of Corporations

Superintendent of Corporations at the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is hereby designated to accept Service of Process on the Mayor's behalf pursuant to Mayor’s Order 2009-65 dated April 24th, 2009.

If domestic or foreign filing entity has the registered agent on record, that agent should be served.

Filing entity includes nonprofit and for-profit corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, general cooperative association, limited cooperative association, statutory trust and general partnership.

Service of Process can be mailed or delivered to DCRA’s Superintendent of Corporations, who may act as the substitute Registered Agent for a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership operating in the District, if any one of the following apply:

• Represented entity failed to appoint or maintain a registered agent in the District; or
• A represented entity's registered agent in the District cannot with reasonable diligence be found;
• The company is not registered but operating within the District of Columbia.

Who can be served by Superintendent of Corporations?

All domestic and foreign filing entities.

How Do I Serve the Superintendent of Corporations?

1. Submit two copies of documents (legal orders, demands, notices, etc.) that have been filed with the court.
2. Complete form GN-6 Service of Process Action Form.
3. Include payment for service of process filing (see fee and payment information below).

Mail versus Walk-In Service

Mail

Superintendent of Corporations, 

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Business and Professional Licensing Administration
Corporations Division
PO Box 92300, Washington, DC 20090

Walk-In

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Division
Business License Center
1100 4th Street, SW
2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20024

Please, note that walk-in customers will be assessed the expedited fee for same day service.

DCRA Service Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Fee: Refer to the fee schedule posted online.

Payment Information

When filing by mail, make checks payable to "DC Treasurer".

For walk-in customers, payment can be made by cash, Visa/Master Card, check, or money order.

Service of Process Forms and Related Links

• Affidavit of Service on a Corporation (DC Superior Court form)
• District of Columbia Courts (general information)
• District of Columbia Court of Appeals
• District of Columbia Superior Court
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia
• District of Columbia Bar