Washington offers a business-friendly environment for LLC formation with clear requirements and efficient processing. You'll pay $200 to file your Certificate of Formation online ($180 by mail), which includes expedited processing automatically.
The state requires three essentials under the Limited Liability Company Act (RCW 25.15): a proper business name, a registered agent with a Washington address, and a Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State. The state eliminates common complications found elsewhere—no publication requirements, no franchise taxes on LLCs, and straightforward ongoing compliance.
Washington maintains clear, specific requirements that must be met for valid LLC formation:
How you file affects processing speed and total cost, with online filing offering built-in advantages.
Online filing costs $20 more but includes automatic expedited processing and allows you to submit your required Initial Report simultaneously at no additional cost, making it the preferred method for most business owners.
Creating a Washington LLC involves five essential steps that build toward legal entity status and operational readiness.
Your LLC name must end with "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," or "LLC" and be distinguishable from other Washington businesses. Use the Secretary of State's online business search tool to verify availability before filing.
Name restrictions include:
If you need time to organize before filing, reserve your name for 180 days by paying a $30 fee. Planning to operate under a different public name? File a trade name (DBA) registration for $24 with the Department of Revenue.
Washington requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state—P.O. boxes are not acceptable. Your agent must be available during business hours to receive legal documents and official correspondence.
Your registered agent options:
Written consent from your registered agent is mandatory. Failing to maintain a qualified agent can result in administrative dissolution and loss of liability protection.
The Certificate of Formation officially establishes your LLC. Required information includes:
File online through the Corporations and Charities Filing System for fastest processing, or submit by mail. Online filing provides immediate confirmation and allows simultaneous Initial Report submission.
While not required by Washington law, an Operating Agreement provides crucial legal protections and operational clarity. This internal document establishes ownership percentages, management structure, profit distribution, and dispute resolution procedures.
Key provisions include:
The Operating Agreement strengthens liability protection and provides clarity for banks, investors, and members while remaining private—it's not filed with the state.
Most Washington businesses must obtain a state business license through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service. This typically costs $50 for new businesses and provides your Unified Business Identifier (UBI) needed for tax purposes and other state filings.
Additional requirements include:
Maintaining your Washington LLC requires attention to specific state obligations:
What is the cost to start an LLC in Washington?
The Certificate of Formation costs $180-200, depending on the filing method. Additional costs include registered agent services ($0-300 annually) and business licenses ($50+). Most owners spend $250-$500 to get fully operational.
How long does formation take?
Online filings process within 2-5 business days, while paper submissions can take up to 4 weeks. Expedited processing ($100 additional) reduces time to approximately 3 business days.
Is an Operating Agreement required?
No, but it's strongly recommended for liability protection and operational clarity. Banks, investors, and courts rely on this document to understand ownership and management structure.
How does Washington compare with neighboring states?
Washington's fees are competitive—Oregon charges less for formation but has different ongoing requirements, while California has lower formation costs but significantly higher annual taxes. Washington provides good value with no franchise taxes and efficient processing.
Discern handles Washington LLC compliance without you lifting a finger, providing real-time processing estimates and clear status updates. Most Discern filings are completed in minutes, eliminating the uncertainty and stress of traditional compliance management.
Book a Discern demo to get started.
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