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

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

The Superintendent of Corporations at the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection is designated to accept Service of Process on the Mayor's behalf pursuant to Mayor’s Order 2009-65 dated April 24th, 2009, 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 may be served by DLCP's Superintendent of Corporations, who acts as the substitute Registered Agent, if one of the three scenarios listed above apply.How Do I Serve the Superintendent of Corporations?

1. Submit two copies of documents (legal orders, demands, notices, affadavit of service on corporation, 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).

How to File a Service of Process

Online

The easiest way to file a Service of Process is online.

1. Log into your CorpOnline account
2. From the dashboard of  CorpOnline, select “Service of Process” from the left menu and then select the “Service of Process” tile. 
3. Fill in required fields and upload a PDF copy of the documents to be served
4. Pay required fee and submit. You will be notified when Corporation Division completes the service.

 

Mail

Service of Process can also be filed by mail. Please allow 3-6 weeks for processing.

1. Complete form GN-6 Service of Process Action Form[RJ1]
2. Mail the documents  (legal orders, demands, notices, affadavit of service on corporation, etc.) that have been filed with the court and a check for the filing fee to:

Superintendent of Corporations
Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Business and Professional Licensing Administration
Corporations Division
Wells Fargo Bank
2005 Market Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Checks should be made payable to the DC Treasurer.

Special Note: Please also email copy of your mail-in service of process to the following email box - [email protected]

 

In-Person

1. Bring a copy of the documents  (legal orders, demands, notices, affadavit of service on corporation, etc.) to:  Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
   Corporations Division, Digital Service Center, 2nd Floor 1100 4th Street, SW
   Washington, DC 20024
2. Please, note that walk-in customers will be assessed the expedited fee for same day service. Refer to the Fees for Corporate Registration Services.

 

DLCP Service Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

How can I get a proof of service?

If filing online, you can request a Certificate of Service when filing your Service of Process and the Certificate will be issued upon completion of the filing. Certificate cost is in addition to the fee paid for accepting service of process.

For past services, a Certificate of Service can be requested via CorpOnline. From the CorpOnline dashboard, select Service of Process from the left menu and select the Certificate of Service tile.

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
• US District Court for the District of Columbia
• US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
• US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia
• District of Columbia Bar