To start an LLC in Washington, file a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division, through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS). The state fee is $180 under WAC 434-112-085 as of October 2026, plus an online processing fee, which brings a typical online filing to about $200.
Washington then asks for two reports: a one-time $10 initial report within 120 days of formation, and a $70 annual report by the end of each anniversary month. There is no state income tax, but most Washington businesses register with the Department of Revenue and pay the business and occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Washington (2026)
Our ranked picks for forming an LLC in Washington are below, starting with Mainstay Filing. Each entry lists the yearly price and what the service covers.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | WA Registered Agent.org | Washington registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Washington. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. WA Registered Agent.org
WA Registered Agent.org is a Washington registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Washington LLC at a glance (October 2026)
| Item | Washington |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division |
| Formation document | Certificate of Formation |
| State filing fee | $180 (WAC 434-112-085), plus an online processing fee |
| How to file | Online through CCFS, or on the paper form |
| Initial report | $10, within 120 days of formation |
| Annual report | $70, due by the last day of the anniversary month |
| Late annual report | $25 delinquency fee |
| Registered agent change | No fee |
| State taxes | No income tax; B&O tax on gross receipts |
Step 1: Choose your Washington LLC name
A Washington LLC name must include a designator identifying it as a limited liability company, such as “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company,” and it must be distinguishable from other names on the Secretary of State’s records. Search names in CCFS before you file, and avoid spending on signs or a website until the state has accepted your certificate.
For a closer look at the search, see our Washington business name search guide. Then check the domain and social handles with Namechk, find alternatives with the business name generator, and search the USPTO trademark database.
Step 2: Designate a registered agent
Every Washington LLC must maintain a registered agent under RCW 23.95.415. Washington follows the uniform business organizations approach, so you can name:
- A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or
- A noncommercial registered agent, an individual or business with a Washington address, or
- The holder of a named office or position within the LLC, such as a manager
Whichever you choose, the agent must consent in writing before being named. Under RCW 23.95.410, the agent’s address must be a Washington street address; the Secretary of State does not accept a P.O. box or private mailbox. Changing your agent later costs nothing.
Mainstay Filing includes a Washington registered agent for the first year as part of its formation package. If you only need an agent, WA Registered Agent.org provides one for a flat $99 per year.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation
Most filers use CCFS, where the Certificate of Formation costs $180 plus an online processing fee. You can also mail the paper form, which lists the $180 fee and an optional expedite charge. The certificate is filed under RCW 25.15.071.
Expect to provide the LLC name, the registered agent (with consent), the principal office address, the names of the governors (members or managers who run the LLC; at least one is required, and the LLC cannot be its own governor), the organizer’s signature and an email address for notices.
For a full comparison of state and service costs, see the Washington LLC cost guide from Mainstay Filing.
Step 4: File the $10 initial report within 120 days
Washington requires a one-time initial report under RCW 23.95.255. Domestic LLCs file it within 120 days of formation for $10, through CCFS. It confirms the LLC’s principal office, registered agent and governors. File it as soon as the LLC is approved so it is not forgotten; missing it can put the LLC out of compliance before its first anniversary.
Step 5: Write an operating agreement
Washington does not require you to file an operating agreement, and the Secretary of State strips internal governance documents such as operating agreements from the public record if they are uploaded. Keep yours with your company records instead.
Because Washington lists governors in the public record, decide early who will be named as members or managers, and make sure the operating agreement matches what you file.
The agreement sets ownership percentages, management, profit distributions and buyout terms. Banks often ask to see it.
Step 6: Get an EIN, a business license and tax accounts
Apply for a free EIN with the IRS. Most businesses operating in Washington also need a state business license through the Washington Department of Revenue‘s Business Licensing Service, which sets up your tax accounts and any city endorsements your location requires.
Washington has no personal or corporate income tax. Instead, the business and occupation (B&O) tax applies to gross receipts, and businesses that sell taxable goods or services collect sales tax. If you hire, you will also register for state unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation.
Step 7: File the annual report every year
Washington LLCs file an annual report by the last day of their anniversary month each year, under RCW 23.95.255. The fee is $70 (it was $60 until recently). File it in CCFS, where you confirm or update the principal office, governors and registered agent; a new registered agent requires that agent’s consent.
The annual report also carries questions from the Department of Revenue about changes in controlling interest, which default to “no.” Answer them carefully if ownership has shifted during the year, because those answers feed into Washington’s real estate excise tax rules.
A report filed after the due date adds a $25 delinquency fee. An LLC that does not file is administratively dissolved, so treat the anniversary month as a fixed deadline.
For more on licensing, insurance and banking, see our guide to starting a business in Washington.
Washington LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington?
The Washington Secretary of State fee for a Certificate of Formation is $180 under WAC 434-112-085 as of October 2026, plus an online processing fee that brings a typical online filing to about $200. You also pay $10 for the initial report and $70 for each annual report.
What is the Washington LLC initial report?
It is a one-time report Washington requires from new domestic LLCs within 120 days of formation, under RCW 23.95.255. It costs $10 and confirms the LLC’s principal office, registered agent and governors. Filing it soon after approval keeps the LLC in compliance during its first year.
When is the Washington LLC annual report due?
A Washington LLC files its annual report by the last day of its anniversary month each year. The fee is $70, and a $25 delinquency fee applies if it is filed late. LLCs that do not file are administratively dissolved by the Secretary of State.
Does Washington have a state income tax for LLCs?
No. Washington has no personal or corporate income tax. Most businesses instead pay the business and occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts and collect sales tax on taxable sales, through accounts set up with the Washington Department of Revenue. Owners still pay federal income tax on LLC profits.
Who can be a registered agent in Washington?
Under RCW 23.95.415, a Washington LLC can use a commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, a noncommercial agent such as an individual or business with a Washington street address, or the holder of an office or position within the LLC. The agent must consent before being named.
Does Washington require an operating agreement?
Washington does not require LLCs to file an operating agreement with the Secretary of State, and the office removes governance documents from the public record if they are uploaded. Writing one is still recommended because it sets ownership, management and profit-sharing terms and is often requested by banks.
Do I need a Washington business license for my LLC?
Most businesses operating in Washington need a state business license issued through the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service, which also opens your tax accounts and handles many city endorsements. Some occupations need separate professional licenses as well, so check both state and city requirements before opening.
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