Washington LLC Cost

The average cost to start a business in Washington depends on factors like whether you file all your paperwork at once, what kind of registered agent you use, and what licenses and permits you need. You could see the following fees when you start your LLC in Washington:

Washington LLC Filing Fee – $200

A Washington Certificate of Formation costs $200 online.

Initial Report

There is no fee if you file your Initial Report at the same time as your Certificate of Formation. Otherwise, it’s due within 120 days and there is a $10 filing fee.

Reservation of Name – $30

You may choose a business name on your Certificate of Formation. If you file a Reservation of Name separately, the fee is $30.

Registered Agent Fee – Free

You can be your own registered agent in Washington, but you have to be available during regular business hours to accept legal notices. To avoid this inconvenience, many businesses pay a small fee to hire a registered agent.

Just make sure the registered agent you choose meets all Washington’s legal requirements. We can help you find the right registered agent for your LLC with our Washington Registered Agent Service.

A few other common necessities may add to the cost to start a business in Washington.

Annual Report

Washington requires you to file an Annual Report every year. The fee is $60, though it’s waived if you file your Annual Report together with your annual licensing fees.

When you’re busy running a business, it can be difficult to remember this kind of infrequent requirement. But if you don’t file Annual Reports, Washington may administratively dissolve your company. Let us help you keep up with your compliance requirements with our Worry-Free Compliance Service.

Foreign Registration Statement

If you already have an LLC in another state but want to expand your business into Washington, you need to file a Foreign Registration Statement.

The cost to file a Foreign Registration Statement in Washington is $180.

Foreign Name Registration

To register the name of your out-of-state business in Washington, file a Foreign Name Registration. For LLCs, the cost of this form is $30.

Certificate of Existence

To secure funding, contract with the State of Washington, or do business with other companies,  you might have to present a Certificate of Existence for your LLC. The Certificate of Existence fee is $20.

DBA Name

Some businesses find it useful to use a name other than the one registered with the Washington Secretary of State. This name is often referred to as a “Doing Business As” name or DBA. Washington calls these trade names and allows you to register an unlimited number.

Register your trade names for $5 each when you file your Business License Application with the Business Licensing Services within the Department of Revenue.

Business Licensing

After you form your LLC with the Secretary of State, you must apply for a business license.

You may also need other permits at the state or local level. Our partners at Avalara can give you a Business License Report that breaks down what specific licenses, permits, and registrations your business needs.

For just $0 plus state fees, we can form your Washington LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in Washington.

Yes. If you don’t pay fees, interest, or penalties, Washington may dissolve your LLC. 

If you can’t pay your filing fees, Washington won’t file your documents, and you may lose the protection an LLC affords.

Filing fees go to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division.

The $200 fee for filing a Certificate of Formation is the largest single fee you’ll pay in starting your LLC.

The Washington Secretary of State accepts cash, checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Payments made by credit card may be subject to a processing fee.