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How To File A Certificate Of Formation In Washington For Your LLC (Apr. 2026)
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2025 Washington LLC Guides
Starting an LLC in Washington is a popular choice for small business owners thanks to the state’s straightforward filing process. Still, getting your LLC approved depends on completing the required steps in the correct order.
You can get started with one required document: the Certificate of Formation. This filing officially creates your LLC and registers it with the Washington Secretary of State. From there, you must file an Initial Report within 120 days to stay in good standing.
This guide walks you through how to file a Certificate of Formation in Washington, step by step. You will learn what information is required, how to submit your filing correctly, how long approval may take, and what to do after your LLC is approved.
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An Overview Of The Washington Certificate Of Formation
The Washington State Certificate of Formation is a legal document that officially establishes your LLC as a separate business entity in the state. Your LLC is only recognized as a legal entity once your application has been submitted to and approved by the Washington Secretary of State. This is stated under RCW 25.15.071.
Until you’re approved, you’re not an LLC. You’re classed as doing business as an Individual or Sole Proprietorship, meaning you have no limited liability protection.
You have two filing options when submitting your Certificate of Formation with Washington State, and both methods have a base filing fee of $200.
- Online filing: Complete the application through the Washington Corporations and Charities Filing System. Processing time for online filings is usually about 5 business days.
- Mail filing: Complete and submit a paper Certificate of Formation to the Washington Secretary of State. Processing time for mailed filings usually takes between 2 and 3 weeks.
If you want faster approval, you can pay an additional fee for expedited processing. Review the table below for a comparison of filing methods and associated fees. I will discuss these further below
| Type | Submission method | Total fee | Processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Expedited | $200 | 2–3 weeks (Plus mail time) | |
| Online | $200 | 5 business days | |
| Expedited | $250 | 2–3 business days upon receipt (Plus mail time) | |
| Online | $300 | 2-3 business day |
1. Washington LLC Initial Report
The Initial Report is your LLC’s first required Annual Report in Washington State. This report is used to confirm key business details, including your business address, Registered Agent information, and LLC members or managers. You must file the Initial Report within 120 days after your Certificate of Formation is approved by the state.
If you form your Washington LLC online, the Initial Report is included with your filing at no additional cost.
LLCs formed by mail must submit the Initial Report separately after formation. A $30 filing fee applies when the Initial Report is submitted separately by mail filers.
How To File Your Washington LLC Certificate Of Formation Online
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Before you file:
To start, log in to your account on the Washington Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS).
Note: You must create an account if you don’t have one.
I’ve provided a clear walkthrough below. Scroll down if you need to make an account before beginning your online filing. It only takes a few minutes to set up.
1. Getting Started
a. Navigate To Your Filing
On your dashboard, click “Create or register a business” in the left-hand menu.
b. Choose Your LLC Type
You should get a pop-up asking if you’re forming a Domestic or Foreign LLC. Choose “I would like to form a Washington state business” if you’re registering your business in the state.
In the Business Type section, choose “WA Limited Liability Company.”
c. Filing Your Inital Report
As stated above, you should file the Initial Report now to stay compliant and save $30 extra fee. So, leave the “Defer Initial Report” box unchecked.
2. UBI Number
Your Unified Business Number (UBI) is a unique identifier number given to your Washington LLC. It will be used for multiple state registration processes.
Check “No” if you don’t have a UBI. This will be the case for most filers. You’ll be issued a UBI once your Washington LLC formation application has been approved.
3. Business Name
In the next section, you’ll be asked, “Do you already have a name reserved with this office?”
- Choose “Yes” and enter your Name Reservation Number if you reserved a business name.
- Choose “No” if you didn’t (Most people choose this option).
Tip: You can pay $30 to reserve your business name for 180 days with the Washington Secretary of State (Mail filing only).
Don’t rush the process if you’re not 100% sure about your LLC name. You’ll need to complete several regulatory tasks if you want to change your name at a later date. This includes filing your amendment paperwork and paying the required fees.
In the last part at the bottom of this section, you can “Submit a name for review.”
- Type in your desired LLC name (Including the designator).
- Click “Look up.”
- Review the existing state business names to see if any are similar to yours.
Your business name will be shown as “Available” if it’s suitable to use. If it’s taken, the system will show it as “Not available.” You should also be shown the conflicting name in the results list.
4. Registered Agent Consent
Your LLC must get written consent from your Registered Agent before being officially appointed. Under RCW 23.95.415(2), they need to sign a consent form to act as your official Registered Agent.
You can choose from 3 options when appointing your Registered Agent. Each one has its own pros and cons.
- Choose “I am the Registered Agent. Use my contact information” if you’re acting as your own Registered Agent. You’ll then be asked to give your name and Washington Street address.
- Select the second option if a friend or family member will serve as your Registered Agent.
- Select the second option if you’re using a Commercial third-party Registered Agent service.
5. Registered Agent
After getting your Registered Agent’s consent, you need to fill out their personal details:
a. If your Registered Agent is a friend or family member:
b. If you’re using a Commercial Registered Agent service:
6. Certification Of Formation
In the next section, you’ll be asked, “Do you have a prepared Certificate of Formation you would like to upload?”
You will be completing your Certificate of Formation directly through the online filing system. Therefore, select “No” as you will NOT need to upload a pre-drafted document.
7. Other Provisions
After this, the next section asks you to include “Other provisions.” This allows you to include additional provisions in your LLC formation document beyond the standard default language.
Examples include profit-sharing terms that differ from ownership percentages, custom voting/management rules, and ownership-transfer restrictions.
Note: I would only add additional provisions in this section if your lawyer advises you to.
8. Principal Office
Underneath, you need to fill out your LLC’s principal office information.
Enter your email address in the required field, then re-enter it to confirm accuracy. This will be used to receive official correspondence regarding your LLC filings and official state notices. Therefore, make sure to use a working email address.
Under the email section, you will see a statement that reads:
“I attest, under penalty of law, that I am a participant of the Address Confidentiality Program.”
- This is related to the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP). It protects individuals who have experienced certain crimes and need to keep their personal addresses private. Examples include domestic violence or stalking.
- Check this box if you’re officially enrolled in Washington’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP). This is set out under Chapter 40.24 RCW.
Finally, enter the street address of your LLC’s principal office.
Note: All Washington LLCs are required to list the physical location where they conduct their main business activities. It can also be the main place where their business records are kept. This is set out under RCW 25.15.006(14).
I suggest you use your Registered Agent’s address to keep your personal details off the public record. However, you’ll need to get their consent first.
Address requirements:
- It has to be a Physical street address.
- You cannot use a P.O. box.
- You cannot use a private mailbox or a commercial mail receiving agency.
You must provide a separate mailing address if you want your mail sent to a different address. However, this is optional.
Once you’ve completed all required fields, check the information for accuracy and proceed to the next section.
9. Duration
In the next section, you need to state your “Duration.” This is simply the length of time that you want your LLC to exist.
Choose “Perpetual” if you want your LLC to exist indefinitely until being voluntarily closed or shut down for non-compliance. Choose a fixed end date if you want your LLC to automatically expire on a future date.
10. Effective Date
Underneath, your “Effective date” is the date you want your LLC to start. You can choose “Date of filing” or “Specify a date.”
Note: Most people choose to have their LLC start on the state’s approval date.
Tip: Consider setting your Effective Date to January 1 the following year if you’re forming your LLC near the end of the year (October to December). This helps you to skip potential tax and reporting obligations for the few leftover months.
11. Executor
Your LLC Executor (Commonly called the “Organizer”) is the individual or entity who is responsible for submitting your Certificate of Formation to the Washington Secretary of State.
Note: Your Executor isn’t automatically an LLC member. However, the person filing often acts as the executor and an LLC member.
Important: An LLC cannot list itself as the “Executor.” You must select “Individual” and enter your own name and address if you’re the one submitting the Certificate of Formation. Do NOT submit your LLC’s name or address in this section.
Click “Add executor” after entering the required information.
12. Governors
After filling in your Executor Information, the next section is about your “Governor.” In Washington State, a “Governor” if anyone authorized to manage your LLC. This can be an LLC member or manager.
Note: You must list at least one governor to form your LLC. If you have multiple, you can list them all in this section.
Click “Add governor” after entering their details to save your entry.
If you only list one Governor, you can still prove ownership using your internal Operating Agreement, as it lists all LLC members. This is often required by banks, lenders, and investors.
Alternatively, you can use a Statement of Organizer. This is an internal business document showing that the Organizer formed the LLC and appointed the governor(s). While you don’t file it with the state, it should be accepted when paired with your Operating Agreement.
Note: You’re not required to specify whether your LLC is member-managed or manager-managed on your Certificate of Formation. Furthermore, you don’t need to state whether a Governor is acting as a member or a manager.
Even so, I would advise you to learn about the difference so you can structure your LLC correctly. See the RCW 23.95.105(12) document for a legal definition of a “Governor.”
13. Nature Of Business
In this section, you must select the business activity or activities that apply to your LLC. You have two options.
- Select the business activity that best applies to your LLC from the dropdown menu.
- Choose “Other” and provide a short description. For example, a coffee shop, an online retail company, or a real estate investing firm.
Note: You’re allowed to state a “General business purpose” in Washington. This means that your LLC can engage in any lawful business activity in the state. Select “Any lawful purpose” if you want to have maximum flexibility.
Tip: Don’t worry about being too specific in this section. You can keep your answer broad and update it later if needed. Giving too much detail can cause unnecessary paperwork at a later stage.
14. Return Address For This Filing
You only need to complete this section if you want your LLC’s approval documents to be sent to a different address other than the default one.
Important: This address becomes part of your public filing and will appear on the state’s records. Therefore, don’t enter your personal details if you want to protect your privacy.
15. Upload Additional Documents
In this section, add any supporting documents to accompany your Certificate of Formation. This may be one of the following:
- Statement of Organizer: If your Organizer is not an LLC Member.
- Consent to use: If you require approval for a restricted or protected name/trademark.
- Additional articles/custom provisions: For attorney-drafted add-ons.
- Industry-specific approval or supporting documents: Only if required for your business type.
- Certified translation: If any attached documents are not in English.
Note: These attachments are generally not needed for a standard LLC formation filing. Therefore, most people skip this section.
16. Email Opt-In
The Washington Secretary of State will mail Annual Report reminders to your LLC’s Registered Agent by default.
- Check this box if you prefer digital reminders (Ensure that you regularly monitor your inbox).
- Leave it blank if you prefer a physical notice to arrive by mail.
17. Authorized Person
An “Authorized person” is an individual or entity with legal authority to sign and submit your Certificate of Formation on behalf of your LLC. In most cases, your LLC member (Owner) will serve as the authorized person.
Check “I am an authorized person,” then choose “Individual” if this applies to you. Enter your first and last name before certifying that all information provided on your Certificate of Formation is accurate.
Click “Continue” once you’ve completed this section to move to the next step.
18. Review
In the review section, you’ll be shown a draft of your Washington LLC Certificate of Formation. Review this carefully, checking for incorrect information and spelling mistakes.
- Click “Back” at the bottom of the page if you need to change any information.
- Click “Add to cart” if everything looks correct and accurate.
19. Shopping Cart & Filing Fees
Select the checkbox next to your LLC filing and click “Check out.”
- Your total payment should be $200. This is made up of a $20 processing fee and a $180 filing fee.
- Any Expedited Service options must be paid on top ($100). This speeds up your processing time and is recommended if you want faster approval.
Once you’re ready, click “Proceed to checkout.” Enter your name and payment details, then select “Place your order.”
Congratulations! Your filing has now been officially sent to the Washington Secretary of State.
Create Your Washington Corporations And Charities Filing System’s Account
If you don’t have an account yet, read this section first to learn how to create one before moving back to the online filing guide above. The process is simple and only takes a few minutes.
Go to the Washington Corporations and Charities Filing System login page. This is the state’s official business filing portal. Click “Create a user account” on the right-hand side to get started.
Next, click “Free user account” then “Continue.”
Choose “Individual” as your user type to proceed to the next section.
On the next page, you must set up your username and password.
To create your account, start by filling in your contact information. You must use an active email, as the state will send you a confirmation link.
You do NOT need to fill in the address fields for now. Leaving them blank doesn’t affect your LLC filing.
Click “Register” to finish creating your account once everything looks in order.
Next, check your inbox for a verification email from the Washington Secretary of State. This will be sent to the email provided when creating your account.
Open the email, click the “Activate your account” link, and log in to the CCFS Portal.
Your CCFS Account is now set up and ready to use. Following this, you can begin your Washington Certificate of Formation filing process. Everything can be done on the online portal, providing a fast and efficient filing method.
Filing Your Washington Certificate Of Formation By Mail
The Washington State LLC Certificate of Formation mail filing process takes much longer compared to filing online. However, it’s fairly simple if you follow the steps below.
You can download and print your Certificate of Formation directly from the Washington Secretary of State or use my link on the right-hand side of the page.
Your paper filing is essentially the same as your online filing in many ways. You must complete the same required fields, but process them differently. Therefore, I’ll briefly walk you through what you need to do in the interest of simplicity. Refer back to my instructions above if you require explanations on each field.
My recommendations:
- Complete the form using black or blue ink.
- The state prefers typed entries (Handwritten forms are also accepted).
- Forms with missing fields or illegible handwriting will be rejected by the state. Ensure you write accurately and clearly.
- Print two copies so you have one to submit and one for your records.
1. UBI Number
This section should be left blank unless you already have an assigned UBI from another Washington registration. You’ll be issued a new number once your filing has been approved.
2. Entity Name
Enter the legal name of your LLC, including the appropriate designator (LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company).
Note: If you’ve made a name reservation before filing, attach the Name Reservation Number.
Tip: You must manually check your Washington LLC name availability before filing. This is because online filings do not include an online tool to check your name availability.
I’ve written a guide on the Washington Business Name Search to make things easier for you.
3. Period Of Duration
The next section asks you to choose your period of duration. Select “Perpetual” unless you want your LLC to automatically dissolve on a specific date.
4. Effective Date
Underneath, you need to select your effective date. This is the date that you want your LLC to become officially active. You can either leave this blank, meaning your LLC becomes effective upon approval, or specify a future effective name.
Note: This cannot be more than 90 days after your filing date.
5. Registered Agent
In section 5, you must include your Registered Agent’s information and get their consent to serve.
You can only have one type of Registered Agent (Commercial or non-commercial). Furthermore, they must have a physical Washington State street address.
Choose from one of two options:
- Commercial Registered Agent: A professional third-party service located in the state.
- Non-Commercial Registered Agent: Yourself, a friend, or a family member.
You must get your Consent Form signed regardless of your chosen option.
Notes:
- Do NOT complete both sections. You must choose to appoint a commercial or non-commercial agent. For example, leave the non-commercial section blank if you have a commercial Registered Agent.
- The Registered Agent consent section should be signed directly on the form. You don’t need to attach a separate document as you do in the online filing.
6. Principal Office
Once you’ve completed your Registered Agent details and obtained their consent, enter your physical street address.
- The address can be anywhere in the U.S. or abroad. It does NOT need to be in Washington State.
- You cannot use a P.O. box or PMB.
- It must be the address where your LLC keeps its official business records.
Note: Most people choose their home or business address for this section. You can use your Registered Agent’s address if you prefer to maintain your privacy. However, you’ll need their consent.
7. Return Address for this Filing
This next section is optional. You can add a return address for this filing by filling in the required fields. Your confirmation and approval documents will be sent to this address alongside your Registered Agent’s address when your Certificate of Formation has been approved.
8. Executor Information
In the final section, you must provide the executor’s name, address, and signature.
Note: An executor is the person who is forming your LLC. This is the one who prepares and files your Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State. Attach an additional list as needed if you have more than one Executor.
Note: Your paper form does NOT include a “Governor’s” section. This information is only required for your online filings and will be put directly into the system.
You can list your LLC’s Governors in your Initial Report once your LLC is officially formed with the state. However, this will need to be sent separately when filing your Certificate of Formation using the mail-in method.
Washington State LLC Approval
You will receive your approval documents once your LLC is officially approved by the Washington Secretary of State. The approval documents include:
- Approved Certificate of Formation: Officially stamped by Washington State.
- Congratulations Letter.
- Certificate of Filing: Listed as your “Certificate of Formation” online.
How you receive your approval documents depends on the filing method you choose.
- Mail filing: The Washington Secretary of State mails the approval documents to your Registered Agent’s address on file.
- Online filing: The Washington Secretary of State sends your approval confirmation electronically.
You can also download them on the Washington Business Search page from the Filing History section.
The Cost Of Filing Your Washington Certificate Of Formation
At a minimum, you must pay $200 to file a Washington Certificate of Formation, regardless of the filing method you choose. This $200 fee places your LLC application into the standard state processing timeline.
Under standard processing, expected timelines are as follows:
- Online filing: Processing usually takes about 5 business days.
- Mail filing: Processing usually takes 2 to 3 weeks, plus mailing time.
Washington offers an expedited service option for an additional fee which can help reduce your processing time:
- Online: $100 ($300 total). Applications are processed in 2–3 business days.
- By mail: $50 ($250 total). Applications are processed in 2–3 business days once received.
- In person: $50 ($250 total). Applications are processed the same day if received before 3:30 P.M.
You can pay for your expedited service using two main methods:
- Online via the CCFS Portal. Payment is made when submitting your Certificate of Formation.
- By mail or in person, using cash or a check. or a money order. Make sure you write “EXPEDITE” in bold letters on the outside of your payment envelope.
Check the Fee Schedule/Expedited Service if you require more information
Contact Information For The Washington Secretary Of State Corporate Division
You can contact the Washington Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities Division if you have any questions or require assistance regarding your Washington LLC Certificate of Formation application.
Business address:
Legislative Building
416 Sid Snyder Avenue SW
Olympia, WA 98501-0220
Mailing: PO Box 40220
Contact phone numbers:
- 360-902-4151 (Legislative Building)
- 360-725-0377 (Corporations and Charities Division)
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS) to file online or mail your application to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division.
Navigate to the Washington Business Search page and download a copy from your LLC’s Filing History section. This can be done instantly and for free. If you want a physical copy, you can send a Records Request online or by mail to the Washington Corporations and Charities Division.
It takes approximately 3–15 business days for the state to process your Certificate of Formation. Once completed, your LLC is officially recognized as a separate business entity, but it can’t perform full business operations.
The standard filing process costs $200 and takes around 3–15 business days. Expedited filing options cost an extra $100 for online filings or $50 for mail filings.
The state will send your Certificate of Formation approval documents by email or mail.
– You’ll receive your approved Certificate of Formation by email if you filed online. It will also be in your CCFS account’s Filing History.
– Your approved Certificate of Formation will be mailed as a physical copy to your Registered Agent’s address if you filed by mail. This is the address listed on your form.
A Washington Certificate of Formation is the legal document that officially establishes your LLC as a separate business entity in the state. It must be filed with the Washington Secretary of State.
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- Wa.gov. (2025). RCW 25.15.071: Formation—Certificate of formation. [online] Available at: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=25.15.071.
- Wa.gov. (2025). RCW 25.15.061: Piercing the veil. [online] Available at: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=25.15.061.
- Wa.gov. (2025). Fee Schedule / Expedited Service. [online] Available at: https://apps.sos.wa.gov/corps/feescheduleexpeditedservice.aspx#:~:text=For%20those%20who%20need%20their,Visa%2C%20MasterCard%20and%20American%20Express.
- Section, A. (n.d.). SECTION 1 NAME OF ENTITY TO BE RESERVED: (List alternates in order of preference) X __________________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT SIGNATURE Title Date Phone Number. [online] Available at: https://www2.sos.wa.gov/_assets/corps/forms/namereservation2013.pdf.
- Wa.gov. (2025). RCW 23.95.415: Designation of registered agent. [online] Available at: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=23.95.415.
- Wa.gov. (2025). Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) | WA Secretary of State. [online] Available at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/statewide-programs/address-confidentiality-program-acp.
- Wa.gov. (2025). RCW 25.15.006: Definitions. [online] Available at: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=25.15.006.
- Wa.gov. (2025). RCW 23.95.105: Definitions. [online] Available at: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=23.95.105.
- pcctg.com (2025). Corporations and Charities System. [online] Wa.gov. Available at: https://ccfs.sos.wa.gov/#/.
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