How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Washington?

Washington LLC Online Filing Fee: $200

The main cost to start an LLC is the $200 fee to file your LLC's Certificate of Formation online with the Washington Secretary of State.

For a look at LLC cost in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.

Washington Annual Report Fee: $60

Washington requires LLCs to file an annual report and franchise tax with the Secretary of State.

You can submit this form through the Washington Secretary of State website. It is due annually by the end of the month in which the LLC was formed. Washington charges a $25 penalty for failure to file on time.

Registered Agent Fee

In Washington you can be your own registered agent, but using a registered agent service helps keep your company in compliance and reminds you of important filing deadlines and avoid late fees.

• If you need to form a new business and get a registered agent, the best package is by Northwest Registered Agent $29 + state fees

OR:

• If only a registered agent is required, Northwest provides an excellent service: $125

Read our guide to learn more about Washington Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Washington

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Washington, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Washington.

The cost for registering a Washington foreign LLC is $200 online or $180 by mail. You can register a foreign LLC in Washington by filing a Foreign Registration Statement. This can also be done by mail.

Business Permits and Licenses

Depending on your industry and geographical location, your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Washington. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.

Learn more about state and local licensing with our guide to getting a Washington business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

Initial Report:
All LLCs must file an initial report. If you register your LLC online, the initial report is included at no extra cost. If you register your LLC by mail, you can either file the initial report by mail for $10 or online for $30.

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 180 days prior to LLC formation by filing a name reservation form and paying the $30 filing fee.

Foreign LLC Name Registration:
Foreign LLCs can register names by filing a foreign name registration and paying the $30 filing fee.

“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
File a Business License Application and pay the $24 filing fee to register a trade name other than your legal LLC business name. This can also be done by mail.

Certified Document Copies:
Obtain certified copies of your Washington business documents by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying $20.

Certificate of Existence:
Also known as a Washington certificate of good standing, you can obtain this document by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying the $20 fee. A certificate of existence is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Washington

Step 1: Name Your Washington LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Washington LLC

When you name your Washington LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in the state of Washington
2. Meets Washington naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Washington guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Washington.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

All LLCs in Washington must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the state. But most importantly, they are responsible for accepting service of process in the event your business is sued.

Your Washington registered agent must:

• Be at least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in Washington
• Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process

In Washington, your registered agent must consent to appointment by signing the Certificate of Formation.

Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation

The Washington Certificate of Formation is a document that is filed with the Washington Secretary of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing a Certificate of Formation is $200 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Formation, visit our How to File the Washington Certificate of Formation guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement, known in Washington as a limited liability company agreement, isn’t required for Washington LLCs, but it’s a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Washington LLC operating agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening a business bank account
• Hiring employees