Washington Registered Agent: LLC Guide

What is a Washington Registered Agent?

A Washington Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your Washington LLC.

The Washington State Corporation Commission might also use your Registered Agent's address as the main contact for sending official notices to your LLC.

A Registered Agent might also be called a Washington Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.

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Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Washington?

You need a Registered Agent in Washington because it's required by law. Every LLC in Washington must have one to operate legally.

Registered Agents provide support to the legal and court processes. They oversee the accurate delivery and tracking of court papers and legal mail.

What Does a Registered Agent Do?

A Registered Agent gets important documents for you and then passes them on to you.

What Are the Legal Requirements for a Registered Agent?

In Washington, Registered Agents must:

Have a physical address in Washington (not a PO box)
Keep regular business hours
Accept legal documents and Service of Process for businesses
Quickly forward those documents to the businesses

Who can be my Registered Agent in Washington?

You have three options for choosing your Washington Registered Agent:

You
A friend or family member.
A Registered Agent Service in Washington

Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Washington?

You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in Washington:

You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
You can hire a Washington Registered Agent Service.

Being your own Washington Registered Agent

You can be your own Registered Agent if you:

Have a real street address in Washington
Are available during business hours

Pros: It will save you money.

Cons: Your name and address will be public. There are also some risks involved.

Asking a Friend or Family Member to be Your LLC's Registered Agent

You can ask a friend or family member to be your Registered Agent in Washington.

They need to:

Have a street address in Washington
Be available during business hours

Make sure they agree and understand their duties. Their information will be public.

Pros: It saves money.

Cons: Their address will be public, and they might not be as reliable as a professional service.

Hiring a Washington Registered Agent Service

A Registered Agent Service handles your LLC's legal mail.

It’s a good choice if:

You want to keep your address private
You don't have an address in Washington
You're not available during business hours
You don't want to handle the paperwork
You need help with setting up your LLC

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How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost?

In Washington, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.

Washington Registered Agent FAQs

Does Washington require a Registered Agent?

Yes, Washington requires all LLCs to keep a Registered Agent on file with the state. Regardless of whether you designate a person or hire a Registered Agent Service, their information must stay on file and they must be available to accept Service of Process.

Can I use a PO Box for my LLC in WA?

Yes, you can use a PO Box for your Washington LLC’s mailing address.

However, you can’t use a PO Box for your LLC’s Principal Office address. The Principal Office address is the main address for your Washington business. This must be a physical address, but it can be in any state or an international address.

You also can’t use a PO Box for your LLC’s Registered Agent address. This must be a physical address and it must be located in Washington.

How much does an LLC cost in Washington State?

LLC costs in Washington vary depending on your unique business needs. That said, Washington LLCs have two types of costs: initial fees and ongoing fees.

Initial Fees:

The filing fee for starting an LLC in Washington is $200. This is a one-time fee paid to file your Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State.

Ongoing Fees:

If you hire a Registered Agent Service, you’ll pay an annual fee each year. A Registered Agent Service usually costs about $125 per year.

LLCs are also required to file an Annual Report. Every Washington business must pay this $60 filing fee every year.

Your LLC may need a business license in Washington depending on your industry and where your business is located. The amount you’ll pay in business taxes will also vary. We recommend hiring an accountant.

Can I be my own Registered Agent in Washington?

Yes, you can be your LLC’s Registered Agent. Washington law allows any adult who is a Washington resident to be your LLC’s Registered Agent. That includes you, a friend, or a family member. To be a Registered Agent, you also need a physical address in Washington and be available during normal business hours.

Should I hire a Registered Agent Service instead?

It’s important to know that your Registered Agent’s name and address will be made the public record as your Washington Registered Office address.

If you aren’t comfortable with your address being on public record, then you can hire Northwest as your Registered Agent Service in Washington. They’ll let you use their own address for their Washington office throughout your formation documents. This makes sure your information remains private while still meeting all Washington legal requirements.

Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Washington?

Yes, a family member can be your Registered Agent in Washington if they meet the legal requirements.

To be your Registered Agent, your family member must have a physical address in Washington (PO Boxes aren’t allowed). They must also be available at that address during normal business hours.