How to start an LLC in Washington state in 2024

Sarah Li Cain

BLUEPRINT

Updated 6:45 a.m. UTC June 19, 2024

Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.

A limited liability company (LLC) is a type of business entity that allows you to open and conduct business dealings. In many cases, it can also help to separate your personal and business assets, protecting the former if there are any legal proceedings against the business.

Whether you choose to hire a company to help file documents or do it yourself, understanding how to start an LLC in Washington state can help you form your business successfully.

The steps to start an LLC in Washington state include:

Featured LLC service offers

ZenBusiness

Learn More

Via ZenBusiness’ website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$199

Live chat

Yes: Human

LegalZoom

Learn More

Via LegalZoom’s website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$249

Live chat

Yes

Northwest Registered Agent

Learn More

Via Northwest’s website

Free version available

Lowest published package price

$39

Live chat

Yes

7 steps to start an LLC in Washington state

1. Create an online account with the Washington Secretary of State

Creating an online account with the Washington Secretary of State is free but can help you efficiently form your business. Through this account, you can complete tasks such as reserving a business name, registering your business and filing annual reports.

To create your account, visit the Washington state charities and corporations filing system, then follow the prompts to complete an account setup.

2. Select a name for your LLC

To form an LLC in Washington, you must have an acceptable business name selected. To appropriately name your business, follow the Washington state naming guidelines.

Once you’ve chosen a business name, you must ensure it is available for use. The Washington Secretary of State’s website has a corporation search tool where you can search for the name you want to see if it’s already registered in Washington and, so, not available for use. Also search the U.S. Patent and Trademark office’s search trademark database for the name to ensure it is not protected nationally from infringement.

If the name you want is already in use, you need to choose another one or modify it so it’s unique. You can refer back to our naming guide for ways to modify the name enough to use it.

Though not a requirement, to protect your name until you’re ready to form your LLC, you can reserve your business name for up to 180 days with the Washington Secretary of State. To do so, fill out a name reservation form and submit the $30 name reservation filing fee online using the charities and corporations filing system account you set up in step one.

3. Select a registered agent

When you form your LLC in Washington state, you are required to name and provide proof of a chosen registered agent. This individual or entity serves as an official point of contact to receive official documents such as legal or tax documents on your LLC’s behalf.

For help choosing the right registered agent for your business needs, read our best registered agent services guide.

4. Submit an LLC certificate of formation

Once you’ve selected an LLC name and registered agent, you can register your LLC with the Washington Secretary of State. To do so, you must fill out and submit a Washington LLC certificate of formation form (known as ‘articles of organization’ in many states). For easy filing, use your Washington Secretary of State account (see step one). The filing fee in Washington is $200 and you can pay by credit or debit card online.

To learn how to prepare your certificate of formation, read our LLC articles or organization guide.

New LLC reporting requirement alert

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has implemented a new reporting requirement for all non-exempt LLCs starting on January 1, 2024.

The requirement is called the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report and it is estimated to only take about 20 minutes to complete.

Here’s what you need to know:

LLCs formed before January 1, 2024 have until January 1, 2025 to file.

LLCs formed between January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025 have 90 days to file from the confirmed date of the businesses’ registration.

New LLCs formed after January 1, 2025 will have 30 days to file from the confirmed date of formation.

For all details, FAQs and to file, visit FinCEN’s BOI website.

5. Submit an initial and annual reports

All registered businesses in Washington need to file an initial report, then an annual report each calendar year. When filing your certification of formation, you have the option of including your initial report with your application for free. However, if you submit it separately, you must do so within 120 days of filing your certificate of formation and pay a $10 filing fee.

In subsequent years, annual reports are due by the last day of the month in which your business was formed, also referred to as the expiration date. You can file your annual report as soon as 180 days before the expiration date. For example, if your business was formed in December, you can file your annual report starting in June.

To file your annual report online, log into your Secretary of State account and select “business maintenance filings” in the navigation bar, then “annual report.” Next, search for your business by name. Once you select your business entry, you will be prompted to review and update information about your business in an annual report and pay the $60 filing fee.

6. Obtain an employer identification number (EIN)

An employer identification number (EIN) is a federal tax identification number that is unique to your business. The number is used to file business tax returns and complete other business formation and maintenance tasks, such as opening a business bank account, hiring employees and applying for business funding and licenses.

It is free to apply for an EIN through the IRS website. When applying online, you will receive an EIN immediately on a confirmation page.

7. Register your LLC with the Washington Department of Revenue

Washington state requires certain businesses to apply for a business license to operate in the state. When you do, you receive a unified business identifier (UBI) number in return, which serves as a tax registration number, in addition to a business license number. You will most likely need to apply for a business license with the Department of Revenue if your business:

Plans to hire employees within 90 days.
Needs state and city endorsements.
Sells products or services that are required to collect sales tax.
Has a name other than your legal name.
Has gross income of at least $12,000.
Buys or processes specialty wood products.
Needs to pay taxes and/or fees to the Washington Department of Revenue.

To file, first create an account with the Washington Department of Revenue, then follow the prompts to submit a business license application and pay a $50 filing fee. Once you file, you will receive your UBI number, a business license and information on how to handle certain business taxes, such as sales and occupation taxes in Washington state. In addition, if you indicated plans to hire employees on the application, you will receive information on required quarterly report forms you must submit.

Featured LLC service offers

ZenBusiness

Learn More

Via ZenBusiness’ website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$199

Live chat

Yes: Human

LegalZoom

Learn More

Via LegalZoom’s website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$249

Live chat

Yes

Northwest Registered Agent

Learn More

Via Northwest’s website

Free version available

Lowest published package price

$39

Live chat

Yes

Find the best LLC services for Washington: Best LLC creation services

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

No, you can’t. You will need to pay $200 to file your LLC certificate of formation. In addition, there may be business name reservation, registered agent, initial report and business licensing fees. To learn more, read our cost to start an LLC guide.

Yes, Washington state LLCs pay taxes. While most taxes are passed through the LLC to its members to be paid on their personal income tax returns, other taxes may apply. For example, Washington LLCs typically have to pay business and occupation (B&O) tax, which is calculated based on your business’s gross income. Depending on the nature of your business, your LLC may also be subject to retail sales taxes, use taxes or business property taxes.

Yes, you need a registered agent to form an LLC in Washington. While you or a key employee can serve as one, this arrangement may create inconveniences and even lead to penalties if done incorrectly. To avoid such risks, many LLCs hire a registered agent service.

Yes, Washington state LLCs need to file an annual report each year through the Washington Secretary of State website, along with a $60 filing fee. New LLCs must also file an initial report when or immediately following their certificate of formation form submission.

To dissolve an LLC in Washington, first follow the instructions included in your operating agreement to dissolve the LLC. In addition, Washington state requires you to fill out and submit a certificate of dissolution. You can do so online using your Washington Department of Revenue (My DOR) account. There is no associated filing fee. In addition, you must pay all taxes owed, such as excise and use taxes. Finally, keep your business records for five years following your LLC’s dissolution.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Sarah Li Cain

BLUEPRINT

Sarah Li Cain is a finance and small business writer currently based in Jacksonville, Florida whose articles have been published with outlets such as Fortune, CNBC Select, the Financial Planning Association and Zillow.

Alana Rudder

BLUEPRINT

Alana is the deputy editor for USA Today Blueprint's small business team. She has served as a technology and marketing SME for countless businesses, from startups to leading tech firms — including Adobe and Workfusion. She has zealously shared her expertise with small businesses — including via Forbes Advisor and Fit Small Business — to help them compete for market share. She covers technologies pertaining to payroll and payment processing, online security, customer relationship management, accounting, human resources, marketing, project management, resource planning, customer data management and how small businesses can use process automation, AI and ML to more easily meet their goals. Alana has an MBA from Excelsior University.