Payday loans in District of Columbia: what's allowed instead

Payday loans are not legal in the District of Columbia. The Payday Loan Consumer Protection Amendment Act of 2007 repealed the check-casher payday provision. Licensed check cashers may not advance money on a post-dated check, and DC's 24% interest cap applies to loans.

24% per year maximum interest. For licensed money lenders the cap covers all fees and charges.

You can submit our online form any time, including nights and weekends, and some lenders review requests right away. Funding depends on banking days, though, so money requested on a Saturday or Sunday typically arrives the next business day. Submitting early helps you get in line for the first available deposit. District of Columbia residents can start a request now; it takes about 3 minutes.

Yes. You can request a payday loan online from anywhere in District of Columbia, using your phone or computer. Our secure form takes about 3 minutes and connects you with lenders in our network that serve District of Columbia residents. If you're approved, funds go straight to your checking account, often by the next business day. There's no cost to apply and no obligation to accept.

Usually only a little, if at all. Because many payday lenders don't use a traditional hard credit pull and often don't report to the major bureaus, a payday loan repaid on time typically has little effect on your score. A balance that goes unpaid and reaches collections could hurt it, so borrow an amount you can repay on your due date. District of Columbia residents can see their options with our 3-minute form.

Most lenders ask for a few basics: you must be a legal adult, with a valid government-issued ID, a steady source of income, an active checking account in your name, and a phone number and email. Some lenders also ask for recent pay stubs or bank statements. Having these ready makes our 3-minute form quick, and many District of Columbia applicants get a decision in minutes.