Starting an LLC in Washington
What it costs, what you file and what you owe afterwards. Every figure below came from the state's own pages.
Forming an LLC in Washington costs $180 to file the Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. After that, Annual Report is due by the last day of the month in which the LLC was originally formed; the report can be filed up to 180 days ahead, and a late one carries a $25 delinquency charge on top of the fee.
What it costs
| What | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation | $180 | Once, when the LLC is formed |
| Annual Report | $70 | By the last day of the month in which the LLC was originally formed; the report can be filed up to 180 days ahead, and a late one carries a $25 delinquency charge on top of the fee. |
Registered agent
Washington requires one. The agent must sign and date a consent to serve and give a physical Washington address - no PO boxes or private mailboxes - and anyone named without agreeing can have their name struck from the record by sending in a notarized statement.
What you owe after year one
By the last day of the month in which the LLC was originally formed; the report can be filed up to 180 days ahead, and a late one carries a $25 delinquency charge on top of the fee.
Missing it is the most common way a good standing lapses, and restoring one costs more than filing on time.
Worth knowing
The $180 formation fee is the same whether filed online or on paper, but the online instructions add an unstated online processing charge on top. A new domestic entity also files an Initial Report ($10) within its first 120 days.
The official pages
- Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division
- Search the register for your name
- File the Certificate of Formation
- Report filing and due dates
Read from the source, 2, 3, 4 on 2026-09-05. Fees change, so check the state page before filing. SideKix has no relationship with any state agency and takes nothing for sending you there.
Before you file
- Sole proprietor, LLC or S corp, what actually differs, with no recommendation
- What it will cost to start, because the filing fee is the small part
- Whether the name is still free, checked against the registries themselves
- What to do first if the idea is still an idea
Another state
SideKix, “How much does an LLC cost in Washington?”, checked 2026-09-05. https://sidekixhq.com/start-an-llc-in-washington.html
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington?
The state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation is $180.
What form do I file to start an LLC in Washington?
The Certificate of Formation, filed with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division.
Does Washington require an annual report for an LLC?
By the last day of the month in which the LLC was originally formed; the report can be filed up to 180 days ahead, and a late one carries a $25 delinquency charge on top of the fee.
Do I need a registered agent in Washington?
Yes. The agent must sign and date a consent to serve and give a physical Washington address - no PO boxes or private mailboxes - and anyone named without agreeing can have their name struck from the record by sending in a notarized statement.