Washington LLC Filing Fees and Requirements
Forming an LLC in Washington costs $180 in state fees plus an online processing fee. Learn the Certificate of Formation requirements, annual report deadlines, business license costs, and registered agent rules.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Washington LLC fees at a glance
Filing fee: $180 (Certificate of Formation) + online processing fee; expedited processing: additional $100
Processing time: Standard processing time varies; expedited processing available for an additional $100
State agency: Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division
Annual report due: $70 online; due by the last day of the LLC's anniversary month each year
State tax rate: Washington has no state income tax; LLCs may be subject to the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax administered by the Department of Revenue
Washington LLC filing fees and requirements
Forming an LLC in Washington requires filing a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State and paying a $180 state filing fee, plus an online processing fee if you file through the state's online system. Beyond formation, you'll need to meet ongoing requirements including an annual report, a state business license, and a registered agent.
Washington LLC filing fees and formation costs
The base cost to form a Washington LLC is $180 — that's the state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation paid to the Washington Secretary of State. If you file online through the Corporations and Charities Filing System, an additional online processing fee applies at checkout. Washington also offers expedited processing for an extra $100 on top of the standard fees.
Washington also requires a separate Initial Report after formation. If you file the Initial Report at the same time as your online Certificate of Formation, there's no additional fee for it. If you file it separately — for example, after a paper formation — a $10 fee applies. The Initial Report asks for your LLC's principal office address, registered agent information, and details about your managers or governors.
Certificate of Formation filing fee: $180
Online processing fee: additional charge collected at checkout through the state's online system
Expedited processing: additional $100
Initial Report (filed separately from online formation): $10
Washington business license requirements
Most Washington LLCs need a Washington State Business License in addition to the Secretary of State formation filing. The state portion of the Business License Application costs $50 and is filed with the Washington Department of Revenue. Washington is one of the states where this step catches people off guard — it's a separate requirement from your LLC formation, not part of it.
Many cities and counties in Washington also require local business license endorsements, which are added through the same Business License Application. Local endorsement fees vary by city and business type. Depending on your industry, you may also need professional or occupational licenses from the Washington Department of Licensing. A tax professional or legal professional can help you figure out which licenses apply to your specific business.
Registered agent requirement
Every Washington LLC must maintain a registered agent in the state at all times. The registered agent receives legal documents and official state notices on behalf of your LLC. Washington requires the agent to have a physical street address in the state — a P.O. Box alone doesn't meet the requirement — and to be available during normal business hours.
You can serve as your own registered agent if you're at least 18 years old and have a qualifying Washington street address. Many business owners choose a professional registered agent service instead to keep their personal address off public records and make sure nothing gets missed.
Annual report requirement
Washington LLCs must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year to stay active. The filing fee is $70 when filed online. The due date is the last day of the month in which your LLC was originally formed — so if your LLC was approved in March, your Annual Report is due every year by March 31.
Washington allows you to file the Annual Report up to 180 days before the due date, so you can get it done early. If you miss the deadline, a $25 delinquency fee applies on top of the $70 filing fee. Missing the Annual Report for long enough can put your LLC's active status at risk.
Operating agreement
Washington doesn't require you to file an operating agreement with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee for one. But having a written operating agreement is still worth doing. It sets out how your LLC is managed, how profits are split, and how decisions get made — details that matter if you ever have a dispute with a co-owner or need to show a bank how your business is structured.
Under Washington law, an operating agreement can be written, oral, or implied — but a written agreement is the only version that holds up clearly when you need it. Washington's LLC statutes recognize the operating agreement as the governing document for member rights, duties, and obligations.
Employer Identification Number
Every LLC should get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You'll need an EIN to open a business bank account, file federal taxes, and hire employees. The IRS issues EINs at no cost — you can apply at irs.gov/ein. Using an EIN also keeps your Social Security number off business documents, which is worth doing from the start.
FAQ
The state portion of a Washington Business License Application costs $50, filed with the Washington Department of Revenue. This is separate from your LLC formation fee. Many cities and counties add local endorsement fees on top of the $50 state fee, and those amounts vary by location and business type.
We collect the state filing fee at cost and pay it directly to the Washington Secretary of State on your behalf when we file your formation paperwork. You're never charged more than the actual state fee — we don't mark it up.
It depends on your business type and location. The Washington State Business License is filed through the Department of Revenue. Local city or county licenses are added through the same application. Industry-specific licenses — things like contractor, healthcare, or food service permits — come from the Washington Department of Licensing or the relevant regulatory agency. A legal professional can help you figure out which licenses apply to your situation.
Your Annual Report is due by the last day of the month your LLC was originally formed. So if your LLC was approved in June, the Annual Report is due every year by June 30. The online filing fee is $70. Washington lets you file up to 180 days early, and a $25 delinquency fee applies if you miss the deadline.
No. Washington doesn't require you to file an operating agreement with the state, and there's no fee for one. That said, having a written operating agreement is worth doing even when it's not required. It documents how your LLC is managed, how profits are divided, and how disputes get resolved — details that matter when you need to show a bank or a co-owner how your business works.
Yes. You can serve as your own registered agent in Washington if you're at least 18 years old and have a physical street address in the state where you're available during normal business hours. Many business owners use a professional registered agent service instead to keep their home address off public records and make sure legal documents don't get missed.
Yes. Washington offers expedited processing for LLC formations filed online through the Corporations and Charities Filing System. The expedited fee is an additional $100 on top of the standard $180 Certificate of Formation fee and the online processing fee. Check the current checkout display for the exact total, as fees can change.
