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How to form an LLC in Washington

File a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. State filing fee $180.

Start my Washington LLC → Search names on the state site ↗

Due to form

$190

Filing fee plus what is due with it

How to file

Online or by mail

Expedited about 3 business days; standard time not published.

Keeping it active

Annual Report

Last day of the month of formation each year; may file 180 days early · $70

The steps in Washington

  1. 1

    Choose a name

    It must be distinguishable from other businesses on file and end with “Limited Liability Company”, “Limited Liability Co.”, “LLC”, “L.L.C.”. Must be distinguishable; 'LLC' added if designator omitted. PLLC uses separate form. You can reserve a name first for $30 (optional).

  2. 2

    Appoint a registered agent

    Commercial or noncommercial agent (individual, business, or office/position) with physical Washington street address (no PO Box/PMB); agent email required. The agent must agree to serve — LLCPros prepares a consent for them to sign.

  3. 3

    File the Certificate of Formation

    File with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. You can file online or by mail. Fee: $180.

  4. 4

    File the Initial Report

    Within 120 days of formation Fee: $10.

  5. 5

    Sign an operating agreement

    Not filed with the state, and not required by Washington law, but banks and partners often ask for one. LLCPros prepares one from your answers.

  6. 6

    Get an EIN and keep up with reports

    Get a free Employer Identification Number from the IRS, open a business bank account, then file the Annual Report (last day of the month of formation each year; may file 180 days early).

Fees

Filing fee — Certificate of Formation$180
Initial Report$10
Optional: Expedited (about 3 business days) expedite+$100
Optional: name reservation$30
Later: Annual Report$70

Name reservation by mail/in person only, 180 days. Fees non-refundable.

State taxes to know about

No state income tax; business & occupation (B&O) gross receipts tax and business license via Dept. of Revenue.

Questions about Washington LLCs

›How much does it cost to form an LLC in Washington?

The Washington filing fee for the Certificate of Formation is $180, and $190 in total with what is due at the same time. Optional expedited processing costs more.

›What document forms an LLC in Washington?

You file a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division.

›Does Washington require a registered agent?

Yes. Commercial or noncommercial agent (individual, business, or office/position) with physical Washington street address (no PO Box/PMB); agent email required.

›Does a Washington LLC file an annual report?

Yes: the Annual Report, last day of the month of formation each year; may file 180 days early, fee $70.

Double-check with the state

We could not confirm these on an official Washington page when we last checked (November 12, 2026). Your filing plan lists them too.

  • The newspaper publication rules and deadline
  • Whether an initial report is due after forming, and when
  • The state tax rules that apply to LLCs
  • The current filing fee and any service charge
Self-help, not legal or tax advice. LLCPros is not a law firm, does not give legal or tax advice, and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. We prepare documents from your answers and your state’s published rules; you file them and pay the state’s fees directly. Rules and fees change — check the official state links before filing, and talk to a lawyer or accountant about your situation.