Skip to content
Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Textbook chapter 1 · Washington

Washington LLC Formation Chapter (2026): 7 Sections and the 2 Best LLC Services

Washington readers who want help forming an LLC in 2026 should look at WA Registered Agent.org ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199), in the order given. Formation in Washington comes to 7 sections and a $200 state fee, plus $70 for the annual report.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Key points

State filing fee $200 sos.wa.gov, as published October 2026
Annual report $70 a year Filing period, in the state's words: last day of the entity's anniversary month
Three years of state fees $340 Service fees excluded
Sections in this chapter 7 Each one explained

Learning objectives

  • The official Washington fee and form
  • Who may serve as a registered agent
  • What follows formation
  • The services ranked highest

Who we recommend in Washington

The editorial board's five criteria are explained on how we grade and determine the order.

1. WA Registered Agent.org: best for a basic formation

Top recommendation
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

This chapter recommends WA Registered Agent.org above the others, because a formation charge of $199 above state fees, and an agent renewal of $99.

Its three-year total is below Mainstay Filing's, which earns first place because cost carries 34%.

Preparing the annual report every year is still left to you.

Price covers

  • The filing is made for you
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $99 yearly from year two
  • Agent covered in year one
  • A formation charge of $199

Limitations

  • Whoever owns the LLC prepares the annual report
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra
Visit WA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Mainstay Filing: best for no annual report to prepare

All fifty states
$199 per year; checkout collects $399, which includes the state fee

Mainstay Filing is ranked second: for $199 a year the owner receives the filing, registered agent service and the annual report, renewing at $199.

Three years cost $200 above WA Registered Agent.org, and cost counts for 34% of the ranking.

The owner never prepares the annual report; the $70 state fee is passed through unchanged.

Price covers

  • The formation filing is prepared and submitted
  • Registered agent for the full year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application is part of the price
  • State fee at cost

Advantages

  • A flat $199 each year
  • $199 every year
  • No added charge for the EIN application

Limitations

  • A yearly premium of $100 compared with WA Registered Agent.org
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The services compared

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 WA Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397 Visit WA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Listed prices, consulted November 13, 2026. No row includes the $200 state fee.

The sections

  1. Section 1

    Choose a name that is available

    The records at the Washington Secretary of State show every name in use. Look yours up before preparing any forms, because Washington can refuse a duplicate.

    Consider whether a matching web address is available too.

  2. Section 2

    Arrange the registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, a noncommercial agent (any person or business with a Washington address), or the holder of a named position in the company. The agent consents in advance.

    The address has to be a physical street address in Washington. P.O. boxes and private mailboxes are not accepted.

    The recommended services all supply the registered agent role.

    Reference: app.leg.wa.gov, as published October 2026

  3. Section 3

    Who prepares the filing

    An owner who files alone pays only the $200 state fee. A service adds $199 and prepares the forms; the recommended list ranks them.

  4. Section 4

    The state wants the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company

    This section is the legal act that creates the company: the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company goes to the Washington Secretary of State, accompanied by $200 (RCW 25.15.071).

    Reference: sos.wa.gov, as published October 2026

  5. Section 5

    Request an Employer Identification Number from the IRS

    With the state's approval in hand, the company can ask the IRS for a federal tax number; opening a business bank account depends on it. Mainstay Filing handles the EIN application without a separate charge.

  6. Section 6

    Put the ownership terms in writing

    Think of the operating agreement as the owners' written rules. The company keeps it; the state does not ask for a copy.

  7. Section 7

    Record the recurring deadlines

    Good standing depends on the annual report, which is filed every year and costs $70, with a deadline of last day of the entity's anniversary month. The late charge is $25.

    Reference: sos.wa.gov, as published October 2026

The cost of this chapter

SectionPayeeTotal
Formation filing fee Paid to the state$200
Annual report Paid to the state$70 every year
Late charge Paid to the state$25
Paid assistance The service$199 in the first year
State fees for the first three years Paid to the state$340

Rows for the state rely on Washington's published fee schedules (listed in the bibliography below), and each service row uses that company's own price. For three years the state row adds the filing, the report in year two, the report in year three and any minimum tax.

Why the list is in this order

On tuition over three years (34% of the ranking) came first, with next.

By year three WA Registered Agent.org has cost $397, a saving of $200 next to Mainstay Filing.

Washington review questions

What does Washington charge to form an LLC?

Washington charges $200. On top of the state fee, the ranked services bill $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

When the Washington Secretary of State accepts the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company, the LLC exists.

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

What does Washington require each year?

Enter the annual report in the calendar: $70, every year, last day of the entity's anniversary month.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

The state accepts filings directly from owners, so no service is needed: $200 plus a registered agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

WA Registered Agent.org and Mainstay Filing, from the highest ranking to the lowest.

See also

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division rests on ccfs.sos.wa.gov, a text consulted August 2026.
  2. Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division rests on sos.wa.gov, a text consulted August 2026.
  3. Washington yearly filing: Annual report, official source rests on sos.wa.gov, a text consulted October 2026.
  4. Washington report due date rests on app.leg.wa.gov, a text consulted August 2026.
  5. Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source rests on sos.wa.gov, a text consulted October 2026.
  6. Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source rests on sos.wa.gov, a text consulted October 2026.
  7. Washington registered agent statute rests on app.leg.wa.gov, a text consulted October 2026.
  8. November 13, 2026: WA Registered Agent.org's pricing page was consulted for the price tables
  9. November 13, 2026: Mainstay Filing's Washington service page was consulted for the price tables