How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington?

The Washington Secretary of State charges a $200 filing fee for Certificate of Formation. Your total first-year cost is $270 once you add the $70 annual report fee due during your anniversary month. For example, if you form your LLC in August, your first $70 annual report will be due in August of the following year, and every August thereafter. Additional costs may include registered agent services, operating agreement preparation, and any required local business licenses from your city or county. Washington has no personal income tax on individuals through 2027, which benefits LLC members receiving pass-through income and distinguishes Washington from neighboring states like Oregon and California that impose income tax at high rates. From 2028 Washington taxes individuals at 9.90% on income above a $1,000,000 standard deduction. However, Washington LLCs may owe Business and Occupation (B&O) tax based on gross receipts, with rates varying by type of business activity. File online at ccfs.sos.wa. The Washington Secretary of State publishes a standard turnaround of within 15 business days (paper).

How long does it take to form an LLC in Washington?

Washington publishes this figure, which many states don't: within 15 business days (paper). In the Washington Secretary of State's own words: Nonexpedited paper records received by mail are processed within 15 business days. Expedited service is available on top of that: $100 for Expedited (within three working days), and $150 for Same-day service (front counter). Treat this as a genuine planning figure rather than a guarantee, and confirm it on the Washington Secretary of State's own site before committing to a date.

Do I need to publish my Washington LLC formation in a newspaper?

No, Washington has no newspaper publication requirement for LLC formation. Your Certificate of Formation filed with the Washington Secretary of State are the only required public disclosure for forming a Washington LLC. This is a significant advantage over states like New York, which requires publication in two local newspapers for six consecutive weeks at rates the newspapers set, or Nebraska, which requires a notice of a new LLC's organization to run for three successive weeks in a legal newspaper near the LLC's designated office, followed by proof of publication filed with the Secretary of State. Washington founders complete their entire formation for the $200 state filing fee without any publication costs or delays. For example, a Washington LLC is fully formed once the Secretary of State files its Certificate of Formation, with no newspaper deadlines to track. Exception: certain regulated industries in Washington may have separate disclosure requirements imposed by the Washington Department of Licensing or other state agencies. Confirm with your industry regulator before filing. The Washington Secretary of State publishes a standard turnaround of within 15 business days (paper).

What is Washington's annual report requirement for LLCs?

Washington LLCs must file an annual report with the Washington Secretary of State by the last day of their anniversary month each year, accompanied by a $70 filing fee. The anniversary month is the month in which your LLC was originally formed. For example, an LLC formed in March 2026 must file its $70 annual report by March 31, 2027, and every March 31 thereafter. The report updates your LLC's registered agent information, principal office address, and management structure. Filing late or failing to file results in administrative dissolution, after which your LLC loses the right to conduct business in Washington. Exception: newly formed LLCs in their first year aren't required to file an annual report until their first anniversary month. File and pay your annual report online at ccfs.sos.wa.gov to keep your LLC in good standing.

Can I be my own registered agent in Washington?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in Washington if you maintain a physical street address in the state, P.O. boxes aren't permitted, and are consistently available at that address during regular business hours. Your registered agent's name and address are listed publicly in your Certificate of Formation filed with the Washington Secretary of State, which makes the information searchable in the state's public business registry. For example, a home-based business owner in Seattle who has a physical home office address can designate themselves as the registered agent, but that home address then becomes a public record. Exception: if you work remotely, travel frequently, or don't have a Washington address, a professional registered agent service is required. File your Certificate of Formation at ccfs.sos.wa.gov to designate your registered agent.

Does Washington have state income tax for LLCs?

Washington has no personal income tax through 2027, which means LLC members pay no Washington state income tax on pass-through profits for tax years before 2028. From 2028 Washington taxes individuals at 9.90% on income above a $1,000,000 standard deduction. However, Washington LLCs are subject to the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax, which is assessed on gross receipts rather than net profit. Register for B&O tax through the Washington Department of Revenue at dor.wa.gov after forming your LLC.

How to Start an LLC in Washington: $180 by Mail, $200 Online

Form your Washington LLC with our step-by-step guide. Filing costs $200 online, including the $20 online processing fee, or $180 by mail.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Filing an LLC in Washington costs $200 upfront and has an annual report due last day of anniversary month ($70). Processing time: Within 15 business days (paper). See breakdown below.

Washington publishes its LLC filing turnaround as within 15 business days (paper)

That's the Washington Secretary of State's own published figure, paper and mail filings within 15 business days. Expedited service is available: $100 for Expedited (within three working days), and $150 for Same-day service (front counter).

Source: MyStateLLC 50-state primary-source processing verification, July 2026

Read this guide for another state:

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Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee)Includes a year of registered agent service. After year one, registered agent service is $125/yr. That enrolls you by default in annual report filing at $100 plus state fees, charged automatically to your saved payment method and cancellable any time.

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Quick Facts

State filing fee	$200 online, $180 by mail
Processing time	Within 15 business days (paper)
Annual report due	Last day of anniversary month
Annual report fee	$70
State income tax	No personal income tax through 2027. From 2028 Washington taxes individuals at 9.90% on income above a $1,000,000 standard deduction. The LLC owes Business and Occupation tax on gross receipts, with no deduction for costs

Source: Washington Secretary of State (verified July 2026)

Step diagram for forming an LLC in Washington, showing the 7 required steps, $200 state filing fee, $70 annual report. — The 7 steps to form an LLC in Washington, with the state's own filing fee and annual report cost. Source: Washington Secretary of State, verified July 2026.

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

1
Choose Your Washington LLC Name
Your LLC name must include 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' and be distinguishable from existing business names in Washington. Check name availability using the Washington Secretary of State's business search tool.
How to search Washington's business entity records →
Pro tip: Reserve your name for 180 days by filing a Name Reservation form with a $30 fee if you're not ready to file immediately.
2
Select a Registered Agent
Washington requires every LLC to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This can be yourself, a friend, or a professional service that will receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
Washington registered agent rules, costs and options →
Pro tip: A professional registered agent service puts its address, not yours, on the registered agent line of the public filing, and accepts legal papers during business hours.
3
File Certificate of Formation
Submit your Certificate of Formation to the Washington Secretary of State online or by mail with the $200 filing fee. You'll need your LLC name, registered agent information, and management structure details.
What You File in Washington
In Washington, the formation document is the Certificate of Formation, filed with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. The state charges $200 to file online and $180 by mail. Washington lets you fill in and file the Certificate of Formation online. The state's published processing time: Within 15 business days (paper). The form itself requires the LLC's name, the registered agent's name, the principal office address, the organizer's name, an email address and the registered agent's consent. Washington also requires, with the Certificate of Formation or after it: Initial Report. Every line of the Certificate of Formation, field by field →
Processing Times
- Online: Not published, Washington Secretary of State states no standard turnaround for online filings
- Mail: Within 15 business days, Nonexpedited paper records received by mail are processed within 15 business days
- Expedited: $100 for Expedited (within three working days), and $150 for Same-day service (front counter)
Pro tip: File online for faster processing and instant confirmation of your submission.
4
Create an Operating Agreement
This page has not confirmed whether Washington law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way: it records who owns what share, who makes decisions and how profits are divided. A written agreement helps prevent disputes between members.
Washington LLC operating agreement: what to include →
5
Obtain an EIN from the IRS
Get your Employer Identification Number (EIN) directly from the IRS website for free. Most banks ask for this federal tax ID to open a business bank account, and the IRS requires one if the LLC hires employees, owes certain employment or excise taxes, or is taxed as a partnership or corporation.
How to get your LLC's EIN from the IRS, free →
6
Open a Business Bank Account
Use your Certificate of Formation and EIN to open a business bank account. This separates your personal and business finances, which matters for maintaining your LLC's liability protection.
Business bank accounts for Washington LLCs →
7
Get Required Business Licenses
Check with Washington state and local authorities for industry-specific licenses. Some businesses need state licenses, city permits, or professional certifications before operating legally in Washington.
Does your Washington LLC need a business license? →

Watch: How to Start an LLC in Washington (2026): Step-by-Step Guide

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. It reports what each Secretary of State publishes for forming an LLC, with the sources this page cites. It cannot tell you what your own filing needs: fees and forms change between our reviews, several occupations cannot use an ordinary LLC at all and must use a professional entity, and your city or county may require a registration of its own. Confirm the current fee and form with the filing office named on this page before you send anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

: The Washington Secretary of State charges a $200 filing fee for Certificate of Formation. Your total first-year cost is $270 once you add the $70 annual report fee due during your anniversary month. For example, if you form your LLC in August, your first $70 annual report will be due in August of the following year, and every August thereafter. Additional costs may include registered agent services, operating agreement preparation, and any required local business licenses from your city or county. Washington has no personal income tax on individuals through 2027, which benefits LLC members receiving pass-through income and distinguishes Washington from neighboring states like Oregon and California that impose income tax at high rates. From 2028 Washington taxes individuals at 9.90% on income above a $1,000,000 standard deduction. However, Washington LLCs may owe Business and Occupation (B&O) tax based on gross receipts, with rates varying by type of business activity. File online at ccfs.sos.wa. The Washington Secretary of State publishes a standard turnaround of within 15 business days (paper).
: Washington publishes this figure, which many states don't: within 15 business days (paper). In the Washington Secretary of State's own words: Nonexpedited paper records received by mail are processed within 15 business days. Expedited service is available on top of that: $100 for Expedited (within three working days), and $150 for Same-day service (front counter). Treat this as a genuine planning figure rather than a guarantee, and confirm it on the Washington Secretary of State's own site before committing to a date.
: No, Washington has no newspaper publication requirement for LLC formation. Your Certificate of Formation filed with the Washington Secretary of State are the only required public disclosure for forming a Washington LLC. This is a significant advantage over states like New York, which requires publication in two local newspapers for six consecutive weeks at rates the newspapers set, or Nebraska, which requires a notice of a new LLC's organization to run for three successive weeks in a legal newspaper near the LLC's designated office, followed by proof of publication filed with the Secretary of State. Washington founders complete their entire formation for the $200 state filing fee without any publication costs or delays. For example, a Washington LLC is fully formed once the Secretary of State files its Certificate of Formation, with no newspaper deadlines to track. Exception: certain regulated industries in Washington may have separate disclosure requirements imposed by the Washington Department of Licensing or other state agencies. Confirm with your industry regulator before filing. The Washington Secretary of State publishes a standard turnaround of within 15 business days (paper).
: Washington LLCs must file an annual report with the Washington Secretary of State by the last day of their anniversary month each year, accompanied by a $70 filing fee. The anniversary month is the month in which your LLC was originally formed. For example, an LLC formed in March 2026 must file its $70 annual report by March 31, 2027, and every March 31 thereafter. The report updates your LLC's registered agent information, principal office address, and management structure. Filing late or failing to file results in administrative dissolution, after which your LLC loses the right to conduct business in Washington. Exception: newly formed LLCs in their first year aren't required to file an annual report until their first anniversary month. File and pay your annual report online at ccfs.sos.wa.gov to keep your LLC in good standing.
: Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in Washington if you maintain a physical street address in the state, P.O. boxes aren't permitted, and are consistently available at that address during regular business hours. Your registered agent's name and address are listed publicly in your Certificate of Formation filed with the Washington Secretary of State, which makes the information searchable in the state's public business registry. For example, a home-based business owner in Seattle who has a physical home office address can designate themselves as the registered agent, but that home address then becomes a public record. Exception: if you work remotely, travel frequently, or don't have a Washington address, a professional registered agent service is required. File your Certificate of Formation at ccfs.sos.wa.gov to designate your registered agent.
: Washington has no personal income tax through 2027, which means LLC members pay no Washington state income tax on pass-through profits for tax years before 2028. From 2028 Washington taxes individuals at 9.90% on income above a $1,000,000 standard deduction. However, Washington LLCs are subject to the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax, which is assessed on gross receipts rather than net profit. Register for B&O tax through the Washington Department of Revenue at dor.wa.gov after forming your LLC.

Sources

5 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified Washington sources, and each entry says what the document is. Some statutory text is read from an accurate mirror rather than from the state's own host, and those say so.

sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/business-entities/limited-liability-company-llc-professional-llc-pllc-filing-resource-pageWashington Secretary of State: business entity filings
sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/fee-scheduleexpedited-serviceWashington LLC filing fees
app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=23.95.255Washington statute: Annual Report
sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/annual-reportsWashington agency guidance: Annual Report
sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/business-entities/maintain-business-compliance/annual-reportsWashington Secretary of State: file the Annual Report

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$39 with Northwest, plus your $200 state fee. Northwest's $39 includes a year of registered agent service.

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Prefer to file directly? File yourself at the Secretary of State → ($200 state fee, no service fee)

Not sure which service is right? Compare formation services →

Edmond Hui · Founder, MyStateLLC

Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.

How we check facts

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose Your Washington LLC Name

Select a Registered Agent

File Certificate of Formation

What You File in Washington

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN from the IRS

Open a Business Bank Account

Get Required Business Licenses