Source: https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/29/chapters/1/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 06:05:58+00:00

Document:
D.C. Law Library - Chapter 1. General Provisions.
(a) This title may be cited as the “Business Organizations Code”.
(b) This chapter may be cited as the “Business Organizations Code General Provisions Act of 2010”.
(c) Subchapter IV of this chapter may be cited as the “Registered Agent Act of 2010”.
Short title: Section 7081 of D.C. Law 19-21 provided that subtitle I of title VII of the act may be cited as “District of Columbia Official Code Title 29 (Business Organizations) Implementation Amendment Act of 2011”.
D.C. Law 18-378 amended and enacted into law Title 29 of the District of Columbia Official Code. Former Title 29 was recodified as Title 29A, D.C. Code § 29A-101.01 et seq., and was repealed by D.C. Law 18-378, effective January 1, 2012.
Delegation of Authority Pursuant to the “District of Columbia Official Code Title 29 (Business Organizations) Enactment Act of 2010”, see Mayor’s Order 2011-178, October 25, 2011 ( 58 DCR 9412).
This chapter shall apply to an entity formed under or subject to this title.
§ 29–101.04. Delivery of record.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, permissible means of delivery of a record include delivery by hand, mail by the United States Postal Service, commercial delivery service, and electronic transmission.
(b) Delivery to the Mayor shall be effective only when the record is received by the Mayor.
§ 29–101.05. Rules and procedures.
The Mayor may adopt rules in accordance with the subchapter I of Chapter 5 and may prescribe procedures not required to be adopted as rules which are reasonably necessary to perform the duties required of the Mayor under this title.
§ 29–101.06. Civil fines for violations of title.
(5) Fails to designate and maintain a registered agent as required by this title.
(c) The rules proposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve the proposed rules, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 45-day review period, the proposed rules shall be deemed disapproved.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “designate” for “appoint” in (a)(5).
§ 29–102.01. Entity filing requirements.
(1) The entity filing shall be required or permitted by this title.
(2) The entity filing shall be physically delivered in written form unless and to the extent the Mayor permits electronic delivery of entity filings in other than written form.
(3) The words in the entity filing shall be in English and numbers shall be in Arabic or Roman numerals, but the name of the entity need not be in English if written in English letters or Arabic or Roman numerals.
(4) The entity filing shall be signed by or on behalf of a person authorized or required under this title to sign the filing.
(5) The entity filing shall state the name and capacity, if any, of each individual who signed it, either by or on behalf of the person authorized or required to sign the filing, but need not contain a seal, attestation, acknowledgment, or verification.
(b) If a law other than this title prohibits the disclosure by the Mayor of information contained in an entity filing, the Mayor shall accept the filing if it otherwise complies with this title, but the Mayor may redact the information.
(c) When an entity filing is delivered to the Mayor for filing, any fee required under this chapter and any fee, tax, or penalty required to be paid under this title or law other than this title shall be paid in a manner permitted by the Mayor or by that law.
(d) The Mayor may require that an entity filing delivered in written form be accompanied by an identical or conformed copy.
(e) Any record filed under this title may be signed by an agent.
This section is referenced in § 29-1004.07.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “or on behalf of a person authorized or required” for “an individual authorized” in (a)(4); and “each individual who signed it, either by or on behalf of the person authorized or required to sign the filing” for “the individual who signed it” in (a)(5); substituted “title” for “section” in (b); and added (e).
(a) The Mayor may provide forms for entity filings required or permitted to be made by this title, but, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) or (c) of this section, their use shall not be required.
(b) The Mayor may require that a cover sheet for an entity filing and a biennial report be on forms prescribed by the Mayor.
(c) The Mayor may require that any filing by a foreign entity under this title be on a form prescribed by the Mayor.
(d) The Mayor, by rule, may authorize, but not require, any filing required or permitted by this title to be filed by electronic means and may prescribe forms and procedures for the electronic filings.
(4) If a delayed effective date as permitted by this title is specified, but no time is specified, at 12:01 a.m. on the date specified, which may not be more than 90 days after the date of filing.
This section is referenced in § 29-101.02, § 29-307.03, § 29-307.04, § 29-309.06, § 29-407.04, § 29-409.06, § 29-609.05, § 29-702.02, § 29-801.02, § 29-1003.02, § 29-1004.07, § 29-1015.05, § 29-1207.04, and § 29-1208.02.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “this title” for “§ 29-102.04” and “§ 29-102.05(d)” for “§ 29 102.05(c)” in the introductory language; and added “which may not be more than 90 days after the date of filing” at the end of (4).
(3) Electronic transmission of the record to the Mayor was defective.
(b) To correct a filed record, the parties to the record shall deliver to the Mayor a statement of correction.
(5) Correct the inaccuracy or defect.
(d) A statement of correction shall be effective as of the effective date of the filed record that it corrects except as to persons relying on the uncorrected filed record and adversely affected by the correction. As to those persons, the statement of correction shall be effective when filed.
This section is referenced in § 29-102.03, § 29-102.12, § 29-601.11, § 29-608.12, § 29-702.02, § 29-702.06, § 29-802.02, § 29-802.05, § 29-807.06, § 29-1012.13, § 29-1202.02, and § 29-1202.05.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “by” for “on behalf of” in (c)(2).
§ 29–102.06. Duty of Mayor to file; review of refusal to file.
(a) The Mayor shall file an entity filing delivered to the Mayor for filing which satisfies this title. The duty of the Mayor under this section is ministerial.
(b) When the Mayor files an entity filing, the Mayor shall record it as filed on the date and at the time of its delivery. After filing an entity filing, the Mayor shall deliver to the person that submitted the filing a copy of the filing with an acknowledgment of the date and time of filing.
(c) If the Mayor refuses to file an entity filing, the Mayor shall return the entity filing or notify the person that submitted the filing not later than 15 business days after the filing is delivered, together with a brief explanation in a record of the reason for the refusal. If an entity files a corrected entity filing within 60 days of the date the document was initially rejected for filing, it shall not be required to pay a filing fee. If the entity files a corrected entity filing after that date, it shall be required to pay the applicable filing fee.
(1) The review proceeding shall be commenced by petitioning the court to compel filing of the filing and by attaching to the petition the filing and the explanation of the Mayor of the refusal to file.
(2) The court may summarily order the Mayor to file the filing or take other action the court considers appropriate.
(3) The final decision of the court may be appealed as in other civil proceedings.
(3) Create a presumption that the filing is valid or invalid or that information contained in the filing is correct or incorrect.
This section is referenced in § 29-102.03.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “this title” for “§ 29-102.01” in (a); and in (b) substituted “at the time” for “time” and “person that submitted the filing” for “domestic or foreign entity or its representative”.
§ 29–102.07. Evidentiary effect of copy of filed record.
A certification from the Mayor accompanying a copy of a filed record shall be conclusive evidence that the copy is an accurate representation of the original record on file with the Mayor.
§ 29–102.08. Certificate of good standing or registration.
(a) On request of any person, the Mayor shall issue a certificate of good standing for a domestic filing entity or a certificate of registration for a registered foreign entity.
(7) That a dissolution proceeding under § 29-106.02 is not pending.
(c) Subject to any qualification stated in the certificate, a certificate issued by the Mayor under subsection (a) of this section may be relied upon as conclusive evidence that the domestic filing entity is in existence or the registered foreign entity is registered to do business in the District.
§ 29–102.09. Signing of entity filing.
(a) Signing an entity filing shall be an affirmation under the penalties for making false statements that the facts stated in the filing are true in all material respects.
(b) Whenever this title requires a particular individual to sign an entity filing and the individual is deceased or incompetent, the filing may be signed by a personal representative of the individual on behalf of the individual.
(c) A person that signs a record as an agent or legal representative thereby affirms as a fact that the person is authorized to sign the record.
(e) If the petitioner under subsection (d) of this section is not the entity to which the record pertains, the petitioner shall make the entity a party to the action.
(f) A record filed under subsection (d)(3) of this section is effective without being signed.
(g) If a record delivered to the Mayor for filing under this title and filed by the Mayor contains inaccurate information, a person that suffers a loss by reliance on the information may recover damages for the loss from a person that signed the record or caused another to sign it on the person’s behalf and knew at the time the record was signed that the information was inaccurate.
This section is referenced in § 29-104.04 and § 29-104.07.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “of entity filing” for “constitutes affirmation” in the section heading; added the (a) designation; and added (b) through (g).
§ 29–102.10. Delivery by Mayor.
Except as otherwise provided by § 29-106.02 or by law other than this title, the Mayor may deliver any record to a person by delivering it to the person that submitted it, to the address of the person’s registered agent, to the principal office address of the person, or to another address the person provides to the Mayor for delivery, or by delivering the record or notice by means of electronic transmission.
This section is referenced in § 29-610.04.
§ 29–102.11. Biennial report for Mayor.
(5) In the case of a registered foreign entity, a statement that the entity is in good standing in its state of formation or, if the entity is not in good standing, a description of the efforts of the entity to bring itself into good standing.
(b) Information in the biennial report shall be current as of the date the report is signed on behalf of the entity.
(c) The 1st biennial report shall be delivered to the Mayor for filing by April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the public organic record of the domestic filing entity became effective, the statement of qualification of a domestic limited liability partnership became effective, or the foreign filing entity registered to do business in the District. Subsequent biennial reports shall be delivered to the Mayor by April 1st of each 2nd calendar year thereafter.
(d) If a biennial report does not contain the information required by this subchapter, the Mayor promptly shall notify the reporting domestic or registered foreign entity in a record and return the report for correction.
(e) If a filed biennial report contains the name or address of a registered agent which differs from the information shown in the records of the Mayor immediately before the filing, the differing information in the biennial report shall be considered a statement of change under § 29-104.07, 29-104.08, or 29-104.09.
This section is referenced in § 29-101.02, § 29-102.08, § 29-107.01, § 29-301.04, § 29-313.01, § 29-401.04, § 29-413.01, § 29-701.10, § 29-802.02, § 29-802.06, and § 29-1304.01.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “registered” for “qualified” throughout (a) and in (d); and substituted “public organic record of the domestic filing entity became effective, the statement of qualification of a domestic limited liability partnership became effective,” for “domestic filing entity was formed” in (c).
(a) The Mayor, pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 2, shall adopt rules, to establish or revise fees for entity filings authorized to be delivered to the Mayor for filing under this title and for copying and certifying a copy of any entity filing under this title.
(b) There shall be no fee for filing a registered agent’s statement of resignation.
(c) The withdrawal under § 29-102.04 of a filed record before it is effective or the correction of a filed record under § 29-102.05 shall not entitle the person on whose behalf the record was filed to a refund of the filing fee.
(d) The rules proposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve the proposed rules, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 45-day review period, the proposed rules shall be deemed approved.
This section is referenced in § 29-102.13.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-305 substituted “deemed approved” for “deemed disapproved” in (d).
(5) Assumed name registered under subchapter I-C of Chapter 28 of Title 47.
(b) An entity may consent in a record to the use of its name by another registered entity, but the consenting entity must, in a form satisfactory to the Mayor, change its name so that it is distinguishable from any name in any category of names in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, in determining whether a name is the same as or not distinguishable on the records of the Mayor from the name of another entity, words, phrases, or abbreviations indicating the type of entity, such as “corporation”, “corp.”, “incorporated”, “Inc.”, “professional corporation”, “PC”, “professional association”, “PA”, “Limited”, “Ltd.”, “limited partnership”, “LP”, “limited liability partnership”, “LLP”, “registered limited liability partnership”, “RLLP”, “limited liability limited partnership”, “LLLP”, “registered limited liability limited partnership”, “RLLLP”, “limited liability company”, or “LLC”, shall not be taken into account.
(d) An entity may consent in a record to the use of a name that is not distinguishable on the records of the Mayor from its name except for the addition of a word, phrase, or abbreviation indicating the type of entity described in subsection (c) of this section. In such a case, the entity need not change its name pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(e) An entity name shall not contain the words “bank”, “banking”, “credit union”, “insurance”, or words of similar import, without the prior approval of the Mayor.
(f) An entity name shall not be the same as, or so deceptively similar to, the name of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or the District of Columbia so as to mislead the public or cause confusion.
This section is referenced in § 29-103.04, § 29-105.03, § 29-105.06, § 29-105.10, § 29-106.03, § 29-302.02, § 29-402.02, § 29-407.04, § 29-610.01, § 29-610.05, § 29-702.01, § 29-802.01, § 29-802.06, § 29-1003.02, and § 29-1202.01.
§ 29–103.02. Name requirements for certain types of entities.
(a) The name of a business corporation shall contain the word “corporation”, “incorporated”, “company”, or “limited”, or the abbreviation “Corp.”, “Inc.”, “Co.”, or “Ltd.”, or words or abbreviations of similar import in another language.
(b) The name of a nonprofit corporation need not contain any particular word or abbreviation.
(c) The name of a professional corporation shall contain the phrase “professional corporation” or the abbreviation “P.C.”, or the word “chartered”, or the abbreviation “Chtd”, and may not contain the word “company”, “incorporated”, “corporation”, or “limited”, or an abbreviation of those words.
(d) The name of a limited partnership may contain the name of any partner. If the limited partnership is not a limited liability limited partnership, the name shall contain the phrase “limited partnership” or the abbreviation “L.P.” or “LP” and shall not contain the phrase “limited liability limited partnership” or “registered limited liability limited partnership” or the abbreviation “L.L.L.P.”, “LLLP”, “R.L.L.L.P.”, or “RLLLP”. If the limited partnership is a limited liability limited partnership, the name shall contain the phrase “limited liability limited partnership” or the abbreviation “L.L.L.P.”, “LLLP”, “R.L.L.L.P.”, or “RLLLP” and shall not contain the abbreviation “L.P.” or “LP”.
(e) The name of a limited liability partnership that is not a limited liability limited partnership shall contain the words “limited liability partnership” or “registered limited liability partnership” or the abbreviation “L.L.P.”, “R.L.L.P.”, “LLP”, or “RLLP”. The name of a partnership that is not a limited liability partnership may not contain these names or abbreviations.
(f) The name of a limited liability company other than a professional limited liability company shall contain the words “limited liability company” or “limited company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “L.C.”, or “LC”. The name of a professional limited liability company shall contain the words “professional limited liability company” or the abbreviation “P.L.L.C.” or “PLLC”. “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.”, and “company” may be abbreviated as “Co.”.
(g) The name of a general cooperative shall contain the words “cooperative association”. “Cooperative” may be abbreviated as “Co-op” or “Coop”. “Association” may be abbreviated as “Assoc.”, “Assoc”, “Assn.”, or “Assn”.
(h) The name of a limited cooperative association shall contain the words “limited cooperative association” or “limited cooperative” or the abbreviation “L.C.A.” or “LCA”. “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.”. “Cooperative” may be abbreviated as “Co-op.”, “Coop.”, “Co-op”, or “Coop”. “Association” may be abbreviated as “Assoc.”, “Assoc”, “Assn.”, or “Assn”.
(i) The name of a statutory trust may contain the words or abbreviations “company”, “association”, “club”, “foundation”, “fund”, “institute”, “society”, “union”, “syndicate”, “limited”, or “trust”, or words or abbreviations of similar import, and may contain the name of a beneficial owner, a trustee, or any other person.
This section is referenced in § 29-302.02, § 29-307.03, § 29-610.01, § 29-610.05, § 29-702.01, § 29-802.01, § 29-802.06, § 29-1003.02, and § 29-1202.01.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 added the second sentence in (e); and twice substituted “words or abbreviations” for “words” in (i).
§ 29–103.03. Reservation of name.
(a) A person may reserve the exclusive use of an entity name by delivering an application to the Mayor for filing. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant and the name proposed to be reserved. If the Mayor finds that the entity name applied for is available, the Mayor shall reserve the name for the applicant’s exclusive use for a 120-day period.
(b) The owner of a reserved entity name may transfer the reservation to another person by delivering to the Mayor a signed notice in a record of the transfer which states the name and address of the transferee.
This section is referenced in § 29-103.01 and § 47-2855.02.
§ 29–103.04. Registration of name.
(a) A foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership not registered to do business in the District under subchapter VI of this chapter may register its name, or an alternate name required by § 29-105.06, if the name is distinguishable upon the records of the Mayor from the names that are not available under § 29-103.01.
(b) To register its name or an alternate name required by § 29-105.06, a foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership shall deliver to the Mayor for filing an application setting forth its name, or its name with any addition required by § 29-105.06, and the jurisdiction and date of its formation. If the Mayor finds that the name applied for is available, the Mayor shall register the name for the applicant’s exclusive use.
(c) The registration of a name under this section shall be effective for one year after the date of registration.
(d) A foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership whose name registration is effective may renew the registration for successive one-year periods by delivering, not earlier than 3 months before the expiration of the registration, to the Mayor for filing a renewal application that complies with this section. When filed, the renewal application renews the registration for a succeeding one-year period.
(e) A foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership with an effective name registration may register as a foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership under its registered name, or may consent in a signed record to the use of that name by another entity.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “registration” for “filing” in (c); substituted “registration” for “registration year” in (d); and rewrote (e).
(1) “Designation of agent” means a statement designating a registered agent, that is delivered to the Mayor for filing under § 29-104.11 by a nonregistered foreign entity or domestic nonfiling entity.
(D) An designation of a registered agent.
(F) Nonregistered foreign entity for which a designation of an agent has been filed.
§ 29–104.02. Entities required to designate and maintain registered agent.
(3) A registered foreign entity.
This section is referenced in § 29-105.11.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 deleted “that does not maintain a place of business in the District” following “partnership” in (2); and substituted “registered” for “qualified” in (3).
§ 29–104.03. Addresses in filings.
(2) Mailing address in the District, if different from the address described in paragraph (1) of this section.
§ 29–104.04. Designation of registered agent.
(B) If the entity designates an officer or employee to accept service of process, the title of the office or other position and the address of the business office of that person.
(b) The designation of a registered agent pursuant to subsection (a)(1) or (2)(A) of this section shall be an affirmation under § 29-102.09 by the represented entity that the agent has consented to serve.
This section is referenced in § 29-101.02, § 29-104.07, § 29-104.08, § 29-104.11, § 29-104.13, § 29-105.03, § 29-105.04, § 29-105.10, § 29-107.01, § 29-302.02, § 29-308.05, § 29-402.02, § 29-610.01, § 29-702.01, § 29-802.01, § 29-906, and § 29-1003.02.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “Designation” for “Appointment” in the section heading; substituted “shall be signed by the entity and state” for “shall state” in the introductory language of (a); and substituted “designation” for “appointment” in (b).
§ 29–104.05. Listing of commercial registered agent.
(3) The address of a place of business of the person in the District to which service of process, notices, and demands being served on or sent to entities represented by the person may be delivered.
(b) A commercial registered agent listing statement may include the information regarding acceptance by the agent of service of process in a form other than a written record as provided for in § 29-104.12(e).
(c) If the name of a person delivering to the Mayor for filing a commercial registered agent listing statement is not distinguishable on the records of the Mayor from the name of another commercial registered agent listed under this section, the person shall adopt a fictitious name that is distinguishable and use that name in its statement and when it does business in the District as a commercial registered agent.
(2) Delete the address of the former agent from the registered agent filing of each of those entities.
This section is referenced in § 29-101.02, § 29-104.06, § 29-104.09, § 29-104.12, and § 29-104.13.
Section 2(a)(19)(B) of D.C. Law 19-210 provided: “(B) Subsection (b) is amended by striking the phrase ‘and other notice and documents’ and inserting the phrase ‘, notices, and demands’ in its place.” Because this language did not match the statute text of § 29-104.05(b), the amendment could not be implemented.
§ 29–104.06. Termination of listing of commercial registered agent.
(2) That the agent is no longer in the business of serving as a commercial registered agent in the District.
(b) A commercial registered agent termination statement shall be effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 31st day after the day on which it is delivered to the Mayor for filing.
(c) The commercial registered agent promptly shall furnish each entity represented by the agent notice in a record of the filing of the commercial registered agent termination statement.
(d) When a commercial registered agent termination statement takes effect, the commercial registered agent ceases to be a registered agent for each entity formerly represented by it. Until an entity formerly represented by a terminated commercial registered agent designates a new registered agent, service of process may be made on the entity pursuant to § 29-104.12. Termination of the listing of a commercial registered agent under this section shall not affect any contractual rights a represented entity has against the agent or that the agent has against the entity.
This section is referenced in § 29-104.09.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 deleted “or on behalf of” following “signed by” in (a); and in (d) substituted “a registered agent for” for “an agent for service of process on”, and “designates” for “appoints”.
§ 29–104.07. Change of registered agent by entity.
(2) Information that is to be in effect as a result of the filing of the statement of change.
(2) Similar filing changing the registered agent or registered office, if any, of the entity in any other jurisdiction.
(c) A statement of change under this section designating a new registered agent shall be an affirmation under § 29-102.09 by the represented entity that the agent has consented to serve.
(d) As an alternative to using the procedure in this section, a represented entity may change the information on file under § 29-104.04(a) by amending its most recent registered agent filing in a manner provided by law of the District other than this title for amending the filing.
This section is referenced in § 29-102.11, § 29-105.11, § 29-601.11, § 29-702.02, § 29-702.06, § 29-802.02, § 29-802.05, § 29-1202.02, and § 29-1202.05.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “signed on behalf of” for “signed by” in (a); substituted “registered office, if any” for “registered office” in (b)(2); substituted “designating” for “appointing” in (c); repealed former (d), which read: “A statement of change under this section shall be effective on delivery to the Mayor for filing”; and redesignated former (e) as (d).
§ 29–104.08. Change of name, address, type of entity, or jurisdiction of formation by noncommercial registered agent.
(B) If the jurisdiction of formation has changed, the new jurisdiction of formation.
(b) A noncommercial registered agent promptly shall furnish the represented entity with notice in a record of the delivery to the Mayor for filing of a statement of change and the changes made in the statement.
This section is referenced in § 29-102.11.
(5) If the jurisdiction of formation of the entity has changed, the new jurisdiction of formation.
(b) The filing by the Mayor of a statement of change under subsection (a) of this section shall change the information regarding the agent with respect to each entity represented by the agent.
(c) A commercial registered agent promptly shall furnish each entity represented by it notice in a record of the filing by the Mayor of a statement of change relating to the name or address of the agent and the changes made in the statement.
(2) The agent, stating that the listing of the agent has been canceled under this section.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 deleted “or on behalf of” following “signed by” in (a); substituted “filing by the Mayor” for “delivery to the Mayor for filing by a commercial registered agent” in (b); substituted “filing by the Mayor” for “delivery to the Mayor for filing” in (c); and in (d)(1) substituted “a registered agent for” for “an agent for service of process on” and “designates” for “appoints”.
(2) Information required by § 29-104.04(a).
(b) A statement designating a registered agent under subsection (a) of this section is effective on filing by the Mayor and shall be effective for 5 years after the date of filing unless canceled or terminated earlier.
(c) Designation of a registered agent under subsection (a) of this section does not register a nonregistered foreign entity to do business in the District.
(d) A statement designating a registered agent under subsection (a) of this section may not be rejected for filing because the name of the entity filing the statement is not distinguishable on the records of the Mayor from the name of another entity appearing in those records. The filing of the statement shall not make the name of the entity filing the statement unavailable for use by another entity.
(e) An entity that delivers to the Mayor for filing a statement under subsection (a) of this section designating a registered agent may cancel the statement by delivering to the Mayor for filing a statement of cancellation that states the name of the entity and that the entity is canceling its designation of a registered agent in the District. The statement shall be effective on filing by the Mayor.
(f) A statement designating a registered agent under subsection (a) of this section for a nonregistered foreign entity terminates on the date the entity becomes a registered foreign entity.
(g) A statement under subsection (a) of this section must be signed by a person authorized to manage the affairs of the nonregistered foreign entity or domestic nonfiling entity and by the person designated as the agent. The signing of the statement is an affirmation of fact that the person is authorized to manage the affairs of the entity and that the agent has consented to serve.
This section is referenced in § 29-104.01.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “appoint” or its variants for “designate” or its variants throughout the section and in the section heading; substituted “nonregistered” for “nonqualified” throughout the section and in the section heading; substituted “by” for “on behalf of” in (a); substituted “designating a registered agent under subsection (a) of this section is” for “appointing a registered agent shall be” in (b); substituted “subsection (a) of this section does not register a nonregistered” for “this section shall not qualify a” in (c); substituted “designating a registered agent under subsection (a) of this section may” for “appointing a registered agent shall” in (d); substituted “designation of a registered agent” for “appointment of an agent for service of process” in (e); substituted “designating a registered agent under subsection (a) of this section” for “appointing a registered agent” in (f); and added (g).
§ 29–104.12. Service of process, notice, or demand on entity.
(a) A represented entity may be served with any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law by serving its registered agent.
(3) Five days after its deposit with the United States Postal Service or similar commercial delivery service, if correctly addressed and with sufficient postage or payment.
(c) Service may be made by handing a copy of the process, notice, or demand to an officer of the entity, a managing or general agent of the entity, or any other agent authorized by designation or by law to receive service of process for the entity if the individual served is not a plaintiff in the action.
(d) If an entity fails to designate or maintain a registered agent in the District as required by law, or if an entity’s registered agent in the District cannot with reasonable diligence be found, and if the person seeking service submits a declaration under penalty of making false statements showing that a registered agent for the entity cannot be found, the Mayor shall be an agent of the entity upon whom any process against the entity may be served and upon whom any notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the entity may be served. Service on the Mayor of the process, notice, or demand shall be made by delivering or leaving with the Mayor, or his designee, duplicate copies of the process, notice, or demand. If any process, notice, or demand is so served, the Mayor shall immediately cause one of the copies to be forwarded by registered or certified mail to the entity at its principal office or at its last known address.
(e) Service of process, notice, or demand on a registered agent shall be in a written record, but service may be made on a commercial registered agent in other forms, and subject to such requirements, as the agent has stated in its listing under § 29-104.05 that it will accept.
(f) Service of process, notice, or demand may be made by other means under law other than this title.
This section is referenced in § 29-104.05, § 29-104.06, § 29-104.09, § 29-105.07, § 29-105.09, § 29-106.02, § 29-106.03, § 29-106.04, § 29-202.06, § 29-204.06, § 29-205.06, § 29-307.05, § 29-309.07, § 29-609.03, § 29-809.05, § 29-809.09, § 29-1015.05, § 29-1015.06, § 29-1126, and § 29-1207.05.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 in rewrote the introductory language of (b); substituted “by” for “on behalf of” in (b)(2); substituted “designation” for “appointment” in (c); and in rewrote the first sentence in (d).
Withdrawal of foreign filing entity that has converted to a foreign nonfiling entity, see § 29-105.09.
Administrative dissolution, reinstatement, see § 29-106.03.
§ 29–104.13. Duties of registered agent.
(4) If the agent is a commercial registered agent, keep current the information listed for it under § 29-104.05(a).
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “only duties of a registered agent under this subchapter are” for “duties of a registered agent shall be” in the introductory language.
The designation or maintenance in the District of a registered agent shall not by itself create the basis for personal jurisdiction over the represented entity in the District.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “designation” for “appointment”.
(4) Liability of a series of a statutory trust.
(b) A foreign entity shall not be precluded from registering to do business in the District because of any difference between the laws of the entity’s jurisdiction of formation and the laws of the District.
(c) Registration of a foreign entity to do business in the District shall not authorize it to engage in any activity or exercise any power that a domestic entity of the same type may not engage in or exercise in the District.
This section is referenced in § 29-105.02 and § 29-601.04.
§ 29–105.02. Registration to do business in the District.
(a) A foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership shall not do business in the District until it registers with the Mayor under this chapter.
(b) A foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership doing business in the District may not maintain an action or proceeding in the District unless it is registered to do business in the District.
(c) The failure of a foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership to register to do business in the District shall not impair the validity of a contract or act of the foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership or preclude it from defending an action or proceeding in the District.
(d) The liability of an interest holder or governor of a foreign filing entity or of a partner of a foreign limited liability partnership shall be governed by the laws of its jurisdiction of formation. Any limitation on that liability shall be not waived shall [sic] solely because the foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership does business in the District without registering.
(e) Section 29-105.01(a) and (b) shall apply even if a foreign entity fails to register under this chapter.
(f) A foreign filing entity that does business in the District without being registered under § 29-105.03 shall be liable for all fees, penalties, and other charges for which the entity would have been liable if it had registered and had filed all reports required by this chapter for the period during which it did business in the District. The Attorney General for the District of Columbia may bring an action in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to recover these fees, penalties, and other charges. A foreign entity shall not be registered under this chapter until it has paid these fees, penalties, and other charges.
This section is referenced in § 29-101.06.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “may not maintain an action or proceeding” for “shall not maintain an action” in (b); and substituted “an action or proceeding” for “a proceeding” in (c).
§ 29–105.03. Foreign registration statement.
(9) A statement of the date it commenced or intends to do business in the District.
This section is referenced in § 29-104.01, § 29-105.02, § 29-105.04, § 29-105.11, and § 29-936.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “shall be signed by the entity and state” for “shall state” in the introductory language; and substituted “entity” for “foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership” in (4).
§ 29–105.04. Amendment of foreign registration statement.
(5) Information required by § 29-104.04(a).
(b) The requirements of § 29-105.03 for an original foreign registration statement apply to an amendment of a foreign registration statement under this section.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “registered foreign entity” for “foreign entity registered to do business in the District” in the introductory language of (a).
§ 29–105.05. Activities not constituting doing business.
(10) Doing business in interstate commerce.
(b) This section shall not apply in determining the contacts or activities that may subject a foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership to service of process, taxation, or regulation under law of the District other than this title.
(c) A person does not do business in the District solely by being an interest holder or governor of a foreign entity that does business in the District.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “an action or proceeding” for “a proceeding” in (a)(1); substituted “of the entity” for “in the entity” in (a)(4); and added (c).
§ 29–105.06. Noncomplying name of foreign entity.
(3) An assumed or fictitious name the entity is authorized to use under subchapter I-C of Chapter 48 of Title 47.
(b) If a registered foreign entity changes its name to one that does not comply with § 29-103.01, it shall not do business in the District until it complies with subsection (a) of this section by amending its registration to adopt an alternate name that complies with § 29-103.01.
This section is referenced in § 29-103.04, § 29-105.03, and § 29-105.10.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “registered foreign entity” for “foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership” throughout the section.
§ 29–105.07. Withdrawal of registration of registered foreign entity.
(5) An address to which service of process may be made under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) After the withdrawal of the registration of an entity, service of process in any action or proceeding based on a cause of action arising during the time it was registered to do business in the District may be made pursuant to § 29-104.12.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “registered foreign entity” for “foreign entity registered to do business in the District” and “shall be signed by the entity and state” for “shall state” in the introductory language of (a); substituted “on its behalf in the District” for “on its behalf” in (a)(4); and substituted “action or proceeding” for “proceeding” in (b).
§ 29–105.08. Withdrawal deemed on conversion to domestic filing entity or domestic limited liability partnership.
A registered foreign entity that converts to any type of domestic filing entity or to a domestic limited liability partnership shall be deemed to have withdrawn its registration on the effective date of the conversion.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “registered foreign entity that” for “qualified foreign entity registered to do business in the District which”; and “domestic” for “domestic registered”.
§ 29–105.09. Withdrawal on dissolution or conversion to nonfiling entity other than limited liability partnership.
(C) A mailing address to which service of process may be made under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) After the withdrawal under this section of a foreign filing entity that has converted to a foreign nonfiling entity is effective, service of process in any proceeding based on a cause of action arising during the time it was registered to do business in the District may be made pursuant to § 29-104.12.
(c) After the withdrawal under this section of a foreign filing entity that has converted to a domestic nonfiling entity other than a limited liability partnership is effective, service of process may be made on the nonfiling entity pursuant to § 29-104.12.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 in the introductory language of (a) substituted “registered foreign entity that has dissolved and completed winding up or that has converted” for “foreign entity registered to do business in the District which dissolves or converts” and “shall be signed by the entity and state” for “shall state”; and substituted “registered” for “qualified” in (a)(3).
§ 29–105.10. Transfer of registration.
(B) The information required by § 29-104.04(a).
(b) When an application for transfer of registration takes effect, the registration of the registered foreign entity to do business in the District shall be transferred without interruption to the entity into which it has merged or to which it has been converted.
§ 29–105.11. Termination of registration.
(4) Deliver to the Mayor for filing a statement of change under § 29-104.07 not later than 30 days after a change occurs in the name or address of the entity’s registered agent.
(2) Grounds for termination under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The authority of a registered foreign entity to do business in the District shall cease on the effective date of the notice of termination or notation filed under subsection (b) of this section unless, before that date, the entity cures each ground for termination stated in the notice or notation. If the entity cures each ground, the Mayor shall file a record so stating.
§ 29–105.12. Action by Attorney General.
The Attorney General for the District of Columbia may maintain an action to enjoin a foreign filing entity or foreign limited liability partnership from doing business in the District in violation of this title.
(3) Have a registered agent in the District for 60 days.
This section is referenced in § 29-106.02, § 29-610.01, and § 29-1208.01.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 deleted “tax”’ following “fee” in (a); and substituted “5 months” for “6 months” in (b).
(4) That the grounds for dissolution either did not exist or have been cured.
(b) To be reinstated, an entity shall pay all fees and penalties that were due to the Mayor at the time of its administrative dissolution and all fees and penalties that would have been due to the Mayor while the entity was dissolved administratively.
(c) If the Mayor determines that an application under subsection (a) of this section contains the information required by subsection (a) of this section, is satisfied that the information is correct, and determines that all payments required to be made to the Mayor by subsection (b) of this section have been made, the Mayor shall cancel the statement of dissolution and prepare a statement of reinstatement that states the Mayor’s determination and the effective date of reinstatement, file the statement, and serve a copy on the entity pursuant to § 29-104.12.
(d) When reinstatement under this section is effective, it shall relate back to, and be effective, as of the effective date of the administrative dissolution, and the domestic filing entity shall resume carrying on its activities and affairs as if the administrative dissolution had never occurred, except for the rights of a person arising out of an act or omission in reliance on the dissolution before the person knew or had reason to know of the reinstatement.
This section is referenced in § 29-106.02.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 substituted “shall be signed by the entity and state” for “shall state‘ in the introductory language of (a); substituted “cured‘ for “eliminated‘ in (a)(4); twice deleted “taxes,‘ following “fees‘ in (b); in (c) substituted “an application under subsection (a) of this section‘ for “the application‘, and deleted “the original of‘ following “file‘; and substituted “activities and affairs‘ for “business‘ in (d).
§ 29–106.04. Judicial review of denial of reinstatement.
(a) If the Mayor denies a domestic filing entity’s application for reinstatement following administrative dissolution, the Mayor shall serve the entity pursuant to § 29-104.12 with a notice in a record that explains the reason or reasons for denial.
(b) An entity may seek judicial review of denial of reinstatement in the Superior Court not later than 30 days after service of the notice of denial.
§ 29–107.01. Reservation of power to amend or repeal.
(a) The Council may amend or repeal all or part of this title at any time and all domestic and foreign entities subject to this title shall be governed by the amendment or repeal.
(1) Until January 1, 2014, the corporation shall be governed by the statute under which it was formed as if that statute had not been repealed by this act.
(2) Before January 1, 2014, the corporation may elect to avail itself of the provisions of this title by adopting a resolution making this election, and by delivering to the Mayor for filing a copy of the resolution and a copy of the corporation’s articles of incorporation. Upon filing by the Mayor of the resolution and articles, the corporation shall be deemed to exist under this title. The corporation shall file a biennial report, as required by § 29-102.11, by the next April 1 following the date of delivery of the resolution and articles to the Mayor for filing.
(4) Any corporation that does not fully comply with either paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection shall become otherwise subject to this title by January 1, 2014 and is thereafter barred from asserting that it is not subject to this title.
(c)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, any nonprofit corporation chartered by a special act of Congress may elect to become a domestic nonprofit corporation under this title or to register as a corporation chartered by special act of Congress.
(2) The corporation may elect to avail itself of the provisions of this title by adopting a resolution making this election, and by delivering to the Mayor for filing a copy of the resolution and a copy of the corporation’s congressional charter and subsequent amendments and by filing restated articles of incorporation. Upon filing by the Mayor of the resolution and articles, the corporation shall be deemed to exist under this title. In the event such election is made, to the extent the provisions of this title, including chapter 4 (the Nonprofit Corporations Act of 2010), are inconsistent with such nonprofit corporation’s congressional charter or its bylaws, the provisions of such nonprofit corporation’s congressional charter and bylaws shall prevail.
(3) If the corporation does not elect to avail itself to the provisions of this title pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the corporation shall register with the Mayor by delivering a statement that contains the corporation’s name, date of formation, name and address of one governor, name and address of its registered agent and copy of its federal charter and subsequent amendments by January 1, 2014. Once registered, the corporation shall file biennial reports as required by section § 29-102.11 and maintain its registered agent as required by § 29-104.04.
(4) Neither the issuance of a certificate of election pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection nor the issuance of certificate of registration pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection to a corporation created under the provisions of a special act of Congress, nor the adoption of any amendment pursuant to this title, shall release or terminate any duty or obligation expressly imposed upon any such corporation under and by virtue of the special act of Congress under which it was created or any amendment made thereto, nor enlarge any right, power, or privilege granted any such corporation by such special act except to the extent that such right, power, or privilege might have been included in the articles of a corporation organized under this title.
This section is referenced in § 29-314.01 and § 29-414.01.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-210 rewrote (b); and added (c).
§ 29–107.02. Supplemental principles of law.
Unless displaced by particular provisions of this title, the principles of law and equity shall supplement this title.
§ 29–107.03. Uniformity or consistency of application and construction.
In applying and construing the chapters of this title based on uniform or model acts, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity or consistency of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
§ 29–107.04. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
This title shall modify, limit, and supersede the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, approved June 30, 2000 (114 Stat. 464; 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq.), (“Act”), but shall not modify, limit, or supersede section 101(c) of the Act, or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103(b) of the Act.
(4) Any proceeding, reorganization, or dissolution commenced under the law before its repeal, and the proceeding, reorganization, or dissolution may be completed in accordance with the statute as if it had not been repealed.

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