Washington LLC Cost (2026)

See Washington LLC costs in 2026, including state filing fees, recurring fees, registered agent, EIN, taxes, licenses, and common add-on costs.

Washington LLC cost starts with the $200 online / $180 paper Certificate of Formation filing, but the practical first-year budget depends on registered-agent service, tax accounts, local licenses, and whether annual report creates a recurring cost after formation.

Educational note: This guide is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Confirm current requirements with the Washington Secretary of State, tax agencies, and qualified professionals.

Most people need this first

For a simple Washington LLC, the practical order is:

Search the name -> choose registered agent -> file Certificate of Formation -> get EIN if needed -> register for state tax or licenses if required -> calendar recurring filings

Washington LLC cost at a glance

The main formation cost

Washington formation is commonly $200 online or $180 by paper filing for a domestic LLC. That filing does not include registered-agent provider fees, EIN, tax registrations, local permits, professional licenses, or optional legal/accounting help.

What not to add to the state filing fee

Do not treat every possible business cost as part of the Washington LLC filing fee. The core formation charge is tied to the Certificate of Formation, currently summarized here as $200 online / $180 paper; Annual Report is a separate recurring item summarized as $70 every year. Business insurance, bookkeeping software, payment processing, website costs, registered-agent renewals, local licenses, and professional advice are operating costs. They may be important, but they are not the same as the state charge to create the LLC.

Recurring cost

Washington LLC annual reports are tied to the LLC anniversary month and are due by the end of that month. The Secretary of State record shows the exact due date, and filing early is safer than waiting until the last day. Treat this as a separate compliance item from the formation filing. A low first-year state filing fee can still become expensive if the LLC misses its recurring filing, tax, or license deadlines.

Registered agent cost

A Washington LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Washington. If an owner can legally serve and stay available at a qualifying street address, the provider fee may be $0. If privacy, mail handling, or out-of-state ownership matters, commercial registered-agent service becomes a recurring cost.

Cost FAQ

How much does it cost to start a Washington LLC?

The state formation filing is $200 online / $180 paper. Real first-year cost can be higher once registered-agent service, tax registration, licenses, and professional help are added.

Is EIN included in Washington LLC formation?

No. EIN is separate and free when obtained directly from the IRS.

Should I budget for licenses?

Yes if the business has regulated activity, a physical location, sales tax obligations, employees, or local licensing rules. For Washington, start with this licensing summary: Washington often routes licensing and tax registration through the Business License Application. Endorsements and local licensing can add separate fees.

Official resources

• Washington LLC filing resource page
• Washington corporation search
• Washington business license application
• Washington B&O tax
• IRS EIN application