Here’s how to start an LLC in Washington for the lowest possible price: pay the state’s $180 Certificate of Formation fee, plus an online processing fee, to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. You can file it yourself on the state’s website in one sitting. A formation service is optional. It can save you paperwork, but you never need one to form a valid LLC. And the federal tax ID for your business, the EIN, is free from the IRS.
Below you’ll find a seven-step checklist, a cost table, and a look at where a paid service actually helps.
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Last updated: October 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation is $180, plus an online processing fee.
- Washington LLCs file an annual report every year by the end of the anniversary month. The fee is $70.
- An initial report is due within 120 days of forming. Deferring it adds a fee.
- An EIN costs $0 when you apply directly with the IRS.
- A formation service adds its own fee on top of the state’s. The state fee is the same either way.
Washington LLC Costs at a Glance
“Free” in “incorporate for free” means no middleman fee. The state fee is unavoidable. Here’s what the state itself charges, according to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division (figures current as of October 11, 2026):
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (state filing fee) | $180, plus an online processing fee | Once, when you form |
| Annual report | $70 | Every year, by the end of your anniversary month |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Once, after your LLC exists |
The state describes the $180 as being in addition to an online processing fee. Check the filing instructions page for the current processing fee before you start.
Washington also requires an initial report within 120 days of forming. You can file it together with the Certificate of Formation. Deferring it adds a fee, according to the Secretary of State’s fee schedule.
Want to see how that stacks up elsewhere? Our LLC filing fees by state guide compares the other states.
Step-by-Step: How to Start an LLC in Washington
1. Choose and Check Your Business Name
Your LLC name must be distinguishable from other businesses already on file with the state, and a name that looks too close to an existing one may be rejected. Use the business name search on the Washington Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities website to see what’s taken. Search a few variations of your top choices.
Also check that the matching web domain and social handles are open. They aren’t part of the state filing, but they’re far cheaper to sort out before you commit to a name.
For required wording such as “LLC” and any restricted words, check the Secretary of State’s naming guidance before you file.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent
A registered agent is the person or company that receives official legal and government mail for your LLC, such as lawsuit notices and state correspondence. You list the agent’s name and a physical Washington address in your filing.
You have three options:
- Yourself. It’s free, but your agent address becomes part of the public record. You also need to be reachable at that address during business hours.
- Someone you trust. A business partner or family member with a Washington address can serve, as long as they agree.
- A registered agent service. This is a paid option that makes sense if you want privacy, travel often, or work from home and don’t want your address on file. Fees vary by provider, so check each company’s current pricing.
Check the Secretary of State’s website for the exact requirements an agent must meet.
3. File the Certificate of Formation
In Washington, the document that creates your LLC is the Certificate of Formation. Other states call the same document “articles of organization.” You file it with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division, using the state’s online instructions for starting a domestic Washington LLC.
The state filing fee is $180 plus an online processing fee. Have these ready:
- Your LLC’s name
- Your registered agent’s name and Washington address
- Your business’s address information
- Any other details the form asks for. Read it carefully, since the state sets the requirements.
Processing times can change. Check the Secretary of State’s website for current timelines and any expedited options and their fees.
The part people often miss is the initial report. It’s due within 120 days of forming, and you can file it with the Certificate of Formation. Deferring it adds a fee. If you’re filing yourself, look at the fee schedule page and decide whether to file it at the same time.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is your LLC’s internal rulebook. It covers who owns what percentage, who makes decisions, and how profits are shared. A member is an owner of the LLC. A manager is someone appointed to run it day to day, and may or may not be a member.
The operating agreement is a document you write and keep with your records. It isn’t part of the Certificate of Formation filing. Even if you’re the only owner, write one. It documents that your LLC is separate from you, and banks sometimes ask to see it.
With partners, it matters even more. It spells out what happens if someone leaves or you disagree. For questions about what Washington law requires or recommends for your situation, talk to a licensed attorney.
5. Get a Free EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your business’s federal tax ID, like a Social Security number for the company. According to the IRS, you can get one directly from the IRS online in minutes, for free. You never have to pay a fee for an EIN.
Apply only on IRS.gov. Sites that charge for an EIN are middlemen for a free form.
You’ll typically need your LLC to already exist, so file the Certificate of Formation first, and a responsible party’s taxpayer ID. If you plan to hire employees or open a business bank account, you’ll almost certainly want an EIN. To see how your LLC is taxed and whether an S corporation election makes sense, read our LLC vs. S corp differences guide.
6. Open a Business Bank Account
Keep business money separate from personal money. It’s the most practical habit for protecting the line between you and your LLC. Bring your Certificate of Formation confirmation, your EIN confirmation letter, and your operating agreement to the bank.
Online business banking is a common choice for solo founders and side-hustlers. Novo is one online business checking option to compare. Look at each bank’s current fees, minimums, and features before you choose. A local bank or credit union is a perfectly good alternative.
7. Put the Annual Report on Your Calendar
Washington LLCs file an annual report each year by the end of their anniversary month, according to the Secretary of State. The fee for profit business entities is $70.
Say you form your LLC in March. Your report would be due by the end of March each year after that. Set a calendar reminder a month ahead, since missing it can put your LLC’s standing at risk.
Not sure how all seven steps fit together? Our 7-step overview walks through the full process.
Do It Yourself vs. a Formation Service
Here’s the cost to form your Washington LLC both ways, using only the state fees we can verify.
Doing It Yourself
- Certificate of Formation: $180 plus the online processing fee
- EIN: $0
- Total to form: $180 plus the processing fee
Using a Formation Service
- All of the above, plus the service’s own fee
- Service fees and packages vary by company and change often, so check the provider’s current pricing
The state fee is the same either way, because the service files with the same Secretary of State. You’re paying for convenience.
Budget for the first year, too. Add the $70 annual report fee, and the initial report fee if you defer it. Check the Secretary of State’s fee schedule for current amounts.
What a Service Can Add
- Guided forms. You answer questions, and they prepare and submit the filing.
- Bundled registered agent service. Some packages include a year of agent service, which helps if you don’t want your home address on file. Check what it costs after the first year.
- Reminders. Some send compliance reminders so you don’t miss the annual report.
- Templates. Some include operating agreement templates and EIN help.
Bizee is one such service, and we’ve written up how the Bizee process works. To compare options side by side, see our guide to choosing LLC formation services.
What You Can Skip
If you’re comfortable with a short online form, skip the service. Skip paid EIN help too, since the IRS provides the EIN for free.
Anything sold as “required” that isn’t on the Secretary of State’s or the IRS’s own list deserves a second look.
Keeping Your Washington LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC is only the first step. Staying in good standing means keeping up with the state’s ongoing requirements:
- File the annual report every year by the end of your anniversary month. The fee is $70 for profit business entities.
- Keep your registered agent current. If your agent changes or moves, update the state’s records. Check the Secretary of State’s site for how.
- Keep your finances separate. Use the business bank account for business transactions.
- Check for licenses and tax registrations. Depending on what your business does, you may need local or state licenses and tax accounts beyond the LLC filing. Ask the relevant state and local agencies for your industry.
For late fees and the consequences of missing a deadline, check the Secretary of State’s fee schedule and annual report pages for current details.
Also wondering about federal ownership reporting? Our guide on whether you still need to file a BOI report in 2026 covers it.
FAQ: Starting an LLC in Washington
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington?
The state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation is $180, plus an online processing fee, according to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. The EIN is free. Optional extras such as a formation service or a paid registered agent add to the total.
Do I have to pay every year to keep my Washington LLC?
Yes. Washington LLCs file an annual report each year by the end of the anniversary month. The annual report fee for profit business entities is $70, according to the Secretary of State.
What is the initial report, and do I have to file it?
According to the Secretary of State, an initial report is due within 120 days of forming. You can file it with the Certificate of Formation, and deferring it adds a fee. Check the fee schedule page for the current amount.
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC in Washington?
No. You can file the Certificate of Formation yourself on the Secretary of State’s website. A service is a convenience that adds its own fee on top of the state’s.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS states that you never have to pay a fee for an EIN. Apply directly at IRS.gov.
Your Next Step
Open the Washington Secretary of State’s online filing instructions and check the current processing fee before you start. Then read our 7-step overview so you know what comes after the filing. Comparing costs across states? Start with LLC filing fees by state.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
