Forming an LLC in Washington (2026): 7 Procedures and the 2 Best LLC Services
The readings for forming an LLC in Washington in 2026 rank Mainstay Filing ($199) and WA Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. Recorded figures: 7 procedures, $200 to file, $70 for the annual report.
$70 a yearRecorded due date: last day of the entity's anniversary month
State cost, years 1 to 3
$340Filing plus recurring state fees
Number of procedures
7One at a time
Sheet aims
How formation is carried out in Washington
Who may serve as the registered agent
The recurring upkeep
The readings and their reasoning
Best reading
If you want someone else to file
Three-year cost and the number of procedures a price performs weigh the most; how we measure lists all five criteria.
Begin here
1. Mainstay Filing: best for filing and upkeep on one invoice
$199/yr plus the $200 state fee
Top of the Washington readings is Mainstay Filing: observed cost is $199 a year for filing, registered agent service and the annual report, with no change at renewal ($199).
The three-year total is $200 above WA Registered Agent.org's, offset by the larger number of procedures it performs.
Included in the service: the annual report, with the state's $70 charged as Washington sets it.
Company prices as posted on November 13, 2026. Every row needs the $200 state fee added.
The procedures
Procedure1
Procedure 1: Settle on a name
Run the name search at the Washington Secretary of State before anything else.
TipHold a fallback name in reserve.
Procedure2
Procedure 2: Assign the registered agent role
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.
TipEvery service measured on this sheet can act as the registered agent.
Procedure 3: Compare filing alone with engaging a service
The state's fee is $200 on either route. A service adds $199; the readings show which to use.
Procedure4
Procedure 4: Submit the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company
The Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company is the formation instrument. It goes to the Washington Secretary of State, and the fee measures $200 (RCW 25.15.071).
Specimen: Logged against sos.wa.gov in October 2026
Procedure5
Procedure 5: Obtain an EIN
After Washington approves the LLC, an application to the IRS yields an Employer Identification Number, which banks and payroll providers require. With Mainstay Filing, this procedure is performed for the owner.
Procedure6
Procedure 6: Prepare an operating agreement
Owners sign it to fix shares, votes and what follows a departure. It is a private document and is not filed.
Procedure7
Procedure 7: Maintain good standing in Washington
Keeping the LLC active means filing the annual report every year ($70), by last day of the entity's anniversary month. A late filing draws $25.
Specimen: Logged against sos.wa.gov in October 2026
What will be paid
Procedure
Goes to
Cost
Formation filing
The state
$200
Annual report
The state
$70 every year
Late filing penalty
The state
$25
Help from a service
The provider
$199 up front
State total over three years
The state
$340
The state's fees were read from official pages, which are listed below. Over three years they come to the filing, two reports and, in some states, a minimum tax.
The reasoning behind the ranking
moved ahead of on procedures the price performs, which counts for 28%.
A price that takes care of the annual report counted for more than WA Registered Agent.org's lower three-year cost.
Brief answers
What will a Washington LLC cost at the start?
Washington charges $200. Add $199 when a service files.
Which form creates the LLC?
The Washington Secretary of State receives the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company, the document that forms the company.
Is a registered agent required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
What does Washington require each year?
File the annual report every year, paying $70; the deadline is last day of the entity's anniversary month.
Can I form the LLC without a service?
It is permitted: Washington asks $200, and a registered agent must also be named.
Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?
Mainstay Filing and WA Registered Agent.org, in descending order of reading.
To reproduce the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division result, consult ccfs.sos.wa.gov. Our observation of it is dated August 2026.
To reproduce the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division result, consult sos.wa.gov. Our observation of it is dated August 2026.
To reproduce the Washington yearly filing: Annual report, official source result, consult sos.wa.gov. Our observation of it is dated October 2026.
To reproduce the Washington report due date result, consult app.leg.wa.gov. Our observation of it is dated August 2026.
To reproduce the Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source result, consult sos.wa.gov. Our observation of it is dated October 2026.
To reproduce the Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source result, consult sos.wa.gov. Our observation of it is dated October 2026.
To reproduce the Washington registered agent statute result, consult app.leg.wa.gov. Our observation of it is dated October 2026.
Entry November 13, 2026: Mainstay Filing, Washington service page
Entry November 13, 2026: WA Registered Agent.org, pricing page