How to Start an LLC in Washington State
Learn the steps to form an LLC in Washington state — from choosing a name to filing with the Secretary of State. $0 + $200 state fee to get started.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Washington LLC at a glance
Filing fee: $200 (online filing with the Washington Secretary of State)
Processing time: 2–3 business days for online filings (standard)
State agency: Washington Secretary of State — Corporations & Charities Division
Annual report due: Annual report due each year by the end of the month in which the LLC was formed; $60 filing fee
State tax rate: No state income tax in Washington; businesses may owe Business and Occupation (B&O) tax based on gross receipts
How to form a Washington LLC
Forming an LLC in Washington takes 7 steps: choose a name, appoint a registered agent, file your Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State, file an initial report, get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, create an operating agreement, and get any required business licenses. The state filing fee is $200.
Washington is a strong state for small businesses — no personal income tax, more than 50 tax incentive programs through the Department of Revenue, and a straightforward online filing process. Most LLCs are approved within 2–3 business days when filed online.
Step 1: Choose a name for your LLC
Your LLC name must be unique in Washington and include the words "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation like "LLC" or "L.L.C." It can't include words that imply a government affiliation or a licensed profession your LLC isn't authorized to practice.
Check name availability through the Washington Secretary of State's business search tool before you file. If you're not ready to form your LLC yet, you can reserve a name for 180 days for a $30 fee.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
Every Washington LLC is required to have a registered agent — a person or business with a physical street address in Washington who is available during business hours to receive legal documents and official state notices on your behalf.
You can serve as your own registered agent, but many business owners use a registered agent service to keep their personal address off public records and make sure nothing gets missed. Washington requires the registered agent's address to be a physical street address, not a P.O. box.
Step 3: File your Certificate of Formation
The Certificate of Formation is the official document that creates your LLC in Washington. You file it with the Washington Secretary of State's Corporations and Charities Division. The state filing fee is $200 for online submissions.
Online filing is the fastest option — most LLCs are approved within 2–3 business days. You'll need your LLC name, registered agent information, and a principal office address to complete the filing.
Step 4: File your initial report
Washington requires all new LLCs to file an initial report within 120 days of formation. This is a step that catches a lot of first-time founders off guard — it's separate from your Certificate of Formation and has its own deadline.
The initial report confirms your LLC's principal office address, registered agent, and the names and addresses of your governors (members or managers). There's no fee to file the initial report. After that, you'll file an annual report each year by the end of your formation month, with a $60 fee.
Step 5: Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. You'll need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal taxes. Applying is free and takes about 15 minutes online at irs.gov.
Single-member LLCs without employees can use the owner's Social Security Number for some tax purposes, but getting an EIN keeps your personal number off business documents and makes banking easier from day one.
Step 6: Create an operating agreement
Washington doesn't legally require an operating agreement, but every LLC should have one. It documents how your business is owned, how decisions get made, how profits are split, and what happens if a member leaves.
Without an operating agreement, Washington's default LLC rules govern your business — and those defaults may not match what you and your co-owners actually want. A written agreement protects everyone and makes disputes easier to resolve.
Step 7: Get business licenses and permits
Most Washington businesses need a state Business License from the Department of Revenue. You apply through the Washington Business Licensing Service, which also handles many local licenses in a single application. The base fee is $19 plus any additional license fees.
Depending on your industry and location, you may also need city or county permits, professional licenses, or federal licenses. Check with your local city or county government and the Washington Department of Revenue to figure out what applies to your business.
Washington LLC fees and costs
Certificate of Formation (online): $200
Name reservation (optional, 180 days): $30
Initial report: no fee
Annual report: $60 per year
State Business License: $19 base fee (plus additional license fees)
EIN from the IRS: free
Washington has no state income tax, but most LLCs owe Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts. The rate depends on your business activity. A tax professional can help you figure out which B&O tax classification applies to your LLC.
Frequently asked questions
The minimum cost to form a Washington LLC is $200 — that's the state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation. There's no fee for the required initial report. After that, you'll pay $60 per year for your annual report. If you need a state Business License, add $19 plus any applicable license fees.
Getting an EIN from the IRS is free. Optional costs include name reservation ($30) and registered agent services if you don't serve as your own.
Generally, online filings are processed within 2–3 business days by the Washington Secretary of State. Mail filings take longer — typically several weeks. Online is the faster and more reliable option for most founders.
Yes. Every Washington LLC is required to have a registered agent with a physical street address in Washington. The registered agent must be available during normal business hours to receive legal documents and state notices. You can serve as your own registered agent or use a registered agent service.
No. Washington requires a $200 state filing fee to form an LLC — that fee goes directly to the state and can't be waived. What you can do is handle the formation paperwork yourself at no additional cost, or use a formation platform that charges $0 in service fees so you only pay the required state fee.
No. Washington doesn't legally require an LLC to have an operating agreement. But having one is strongly recommended. Without it, Washington's default LLC statutes govern how your business runs — and those defaults may not reflect what you and your co-owners actually agreed to. A written operating agreement protects everyone involved.
Yes. Washington LLCs must file an annual report each year with the Secretary of State. The report is due by the end of the month in which your LLC was originally formed. The filing fee is $60. Missing the deadline can put your LLC out of good standing with the state.
Washington has no state income tax, which is one reason many entrepreneurs choose to form here. However, most Washington LLCs owe Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts — the rate depends on your type of business activity. You may also owe sales tax if you sell taxable goods or services. A tax professional can help you figure out which taxes apply to your LLC.
A Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is a specific LLC structure for licensed professionals — things like attorneys, physicians, accountants, and architects. Washington requires professionals in certain regulated fields to form a PLLC rather than a standard LLC. If your work requires a state professional license, check with the relevant licensing board to figure out which entity type applies to you.
A few mistakes come up often with new Washington LLCs. Missing the initial report deadline (120 days after formation) is one of the most common — it's easy to overlook because it's separate from the Certificate of Formation. Not opening a dedicated business bank account is another: mixing personal and business finances makes taxes harder and can put your liability protection at risk. Skipping the operating agreement is a third — without one, state defaults govern your LLC, which may not match what you intended.
